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A Skylit Drive – Adelphia

July 24, 2009 By Max Specht Leave a Comment

asd_adelphia_400x400

Artist: A Skylit Drive
Album: Adelphia
Label: Fearless Records
Purchase: Official Online Store
Release Date: June 9th, 2009

Overall: 8.5
Music: 9.0
Lyrics: 7.0
Production: 8.0

Lately it is becoming more and more apparent that screamo is a dying genre. Bands are either abandoning it in favor more more harmonized vocals (ex. Alexisonfire) or are turning it into a mash of electronic blips and novelty lyrics (ex. Dot Dot Curve). Screamo is in a state where it needs saving, and their are few bands that can do it. A Skylit Drive’s sophomore release, Wires…and the Concept Of Breathing helped put them above the ranks of all other screamo contemporaries with their intricate melodies and intense singing/screaming trade-off. Now with their latest release (and their first with new label Fearless Records) Adelphia, they are setting themselves to become the band that helps put screamo back on the map and influence legions of bands to bring it back once more.

Adelphia begins with the ominous tones of “Prelude To A Dream”, that lead into a throttle-ing guitar riff and hard-hitting screams. This beginning track could have been very easily written off as just another band in the scene’s attempt at being edge-y, but the thing that sets A Skylit Drive apart is their fusion of screaming with vocally acrobatic melodies over top of constant riffs that are above of what most other bands are doing as far as intricacy and creativity are concerned. It’s a track that pushes the limits of adrenaline on one track and just how fast they can get the listener’s blood rushing in three and a half minutes.

While Adelphia doesn’t necessarily re-define the band and who they are in comparison to their previous effort Wires…And The Concept Of Breathing, it is another testament to their sound and helps fortify who they are as musicians before they are able to move on in order to discover the limits of their sound. It is an album that doesn’t re-invent the wheel that is their sound, but keeps it spinning faster then ever.

Some songs on Adelphia hit harder then ever (“Eva The Carrier”), while some change timing and pace so spontaneously it is hard to believe all the sounds can co-exist in one track (“The Boy Without A Demon”), and some even show off A Skylit Drive’s slower more ambient side (“Air The Enlightenment”).

It is obvious that more and more bands (as well as fans) are turning their backs on the genre of screamo, and worse bands are taking their place and turning what was a respected sound into a novelty. A Skylit Drive are pushing forward in keeping it alive and respected at once. They have proven with their tight musicianship, impressive vocal range and lyrics that are above average compared to other bands (the ones that make death threats and talk about dying non-stop). It is hard to say whether this album will put them on the map, but it will gain them entrance into many people’s ipods.

Filed Under: Album, Reviews Tagged With: A Skylit Drive, Adelphia, Fearless Records

A Skylit Drive Interview

July 2, 2009 By Kristen Cavanaugh Leave a Comment

ASD

I recently had the chance to talk to lead vocalist, Michael “Jag” Jagmin from the Lodi, California based band, A Skylit Drive during their Warped Tour stop in Ventura, CA. With the recent release of their sophomore album Adelphia, these guys are proving that they’re a force to be reckoned with. Here’s what they had to say…

It’s day three of Warped Tour for you guys. How’s it feeling so far?
Awesome, still getting used to it…sleeping and waking up so early.

What time do you guys get up everyday?
8am. Every single day.

Oh my gosh, gross.
Yeah”¦

I just recently heard Adelphia and noticed it’s a giant storyline ““ how does that affect your set list? Do you break it up? Do you have to put the songs together?
Um, we just kind of go with whatever. I mean, maybe when we do like a headlining tour like, for Adelphia, then maybe we’ll try and throw the whole concept thing into it, do something fancy with videos or something, I don’t know, we’ll see.

Like Coheed and Cambria?
Yeah, exactly.

If had the chance to play one of your songs to somebody who hasn’t heard you guys in hopes of gaining them as a fan, which song would you play and why?
Probably “Wires and the Concept of Breathing” because it kind of just rounds out our whole sound. It’s a really catchy song to the point where even if somebody isn’t really into the style, they’ll still maybe be sitting there humming the chorus afterwards. I mean, it’ll pull you in if you’re into that style of music. It’s got every kind of thing that we do.

What is the craziest thing you’ve seen in the crowd at Warped?
Well, the first show, I saw a girl just rip her shirt of and start dancing in the pit and then a big dude with his shirt off started grinding behind her.

That would have been hilarious to see. Did you keep your cool on stage?
Yeah, I was laughing while singing though.

Most essential item for touring?
Huggie Wipes.

I will take your word on that. So, why should people check you guys out at Warped?
We’re fresh, we’re new, we’re always giving it our all. I mean, no show is going to to be a half-assed show with us. We’re a bunch of fun dudes.

A Skylit Drive is on Warped Tour all summer. Be sure to check them out!

Filed Under: Interviews Tagged With: A Skylit Drive, Adelphia, Michael "Jag" Jagmin, Warped Tour

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