Artist of the Month - Carolina Chupacabra

Formed in 2008, South Carolina metal trio Carolina Chupacabra has been moving forward with the monstrous steps of the mythical beast for which they are named. Straying from the normal confines of shredding guitars and incoherent screaming, the band has developed a unique blend of old-school power chords and stylized thought-provoking lyrics, all fronted by crisp clean growls and screams that only vocalist/guitarist Wade Parrott can deliver. Along with drummer Jeff Campbell and bassist Jason Kneece, Carolina Chupacabra is opening new doors for the entire SC music scene. Their 2009 debut release, Birth of the Beast, gave a brief, but well versed, glimpse into the mind of the band, only to have that glimpse completely overcast by their 2012 release, Living the American Nightmare. Up until this point, the band has shared the stage with the likes of Kylesa, Jucifer, Throttlerod, and Temptation’s Wings. Now, with an April 2012 album release party under their belt, it’s time for Carolina Chupacabra to do what they do best: “To be like the Chupacabra a Mythical Entity that people always remember. They will always remember the diversity in our music.”

Carolina Chupacabra "A Means to an End"Carolina Chupacabra "A Means to an End"

It’s rare that a 3-piece metal band develops and produces a sound that can compare with most bands that have 4 or more members.

Carolina Chupacabra has managed to defy those odds with their newest release, “Living the American Nightmare.” This nine track disc paves a way for some of the most sophisticated tunes to have come out of the Columbia, SC metal scene. Compared to their earlier release, “Birth of the Beast”, the new record takes the idea of a metal concept album to a whole new level.

That’s right, a concept album.

But not just any concept album-this isn’t something you’re going to hear from Coheed & Cambria-the story itself is completely up for interpretation. On the back of the album is a short narrative that gives a vague overview of the developed story, but fans are encouraged to make their own interpretations. This gives the album an even stronger personal feel-a listener can create their own meaning, which will help make the songs even more special to them.

CC’s new album is a real breath of fresh air in the local music industry, which, for years, has spawned other successful metal acts such as Your Chance To Die, Necessary Evil, and As I Destruct. With this release now available, Carolina Chupacabra has managed to solidify their rightful place in the metal community.