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Chester Bennington's side band Dead By Sunrise rise out of ashes to make blazing hot music
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When Chester Bennington from Linkin Park announced a collaboration with numerous members of Julien K what the final product would be no one really knew. Linkin Park fans may have wondered will be the hard, thrashing metal they are familiar with. While at the same time Julien K fans probably wondered where the techno/electronic sound of their favorite band would fit. But the result Dead By Sunrise proves to be a very unique hybrid of both bands distinctive musical sound. But even more impressive is that Dead By Sunrise doesn't sound like either band. But fans and music lovers alike can judge for themselves this week when Dead By Sunrise makes a stop at the first ever Ulalume Festival by MTVU taking place at Merriweather Post Pavilion October 23rd.
Yes there is the subtle influence of the techno/industrial/rock sound that makes debut CD of Julian K called Death To Analog such a masterpiece. Then add to the mix the seamless blending of hard metal songs with slow songs reminiscent of Minutes to Midnight by Linkin Park. But what makes this so good is that is isn't like the other bands, it's unique. Along with Chester the band is comprised of Julien K members: Ryan Shuck (guitar, backing vocals), Amir Derakh (guitar, synth), Brandon Belsky (bass guitar) and Elias Andra (drums) and also Anthony "Fu" Valcic (keyboards). A project or collaboration seemed destined to happen what with Chester making an appearance on stage with Julien K to sing their song "Kick The Bass" at 2007's Projekt Revolution. Chester also made a cameo in the video for the same song. But from the moment Chester briefly stepped into the shoes of Ryan Shuck on stage it was quite impressive because it felt like he was part of the band. But the formation of the band came much earlier when Bennington began writing songs for the soon to be Dead By Sunrise CD while working on the last Linkin Park CD Minutes To Midnight. The songs that would end up on the Dead By Sunrise CD in his own words were songs that just didn't fit in with Linkin Park songs. Also proving what a wonderful ear he has he thankfully made the right decision not to try to mold them into Linkin Park songs. The song "Morning After," which appears as a bonus track on the newly released CD was written by Chester Bennington and originally performed in 2001 at a concert in Berlin. This was the first time that Chester had performed a song under the band name Dead by Sunrise.
In May 2008, Dead by Sunrise performed "Walking In Circles," "Morning After," and "My Suffering" at a 13th anniversary celebration for Club Tattoo in Arizona. Interestingly enough the band also toured with Linkin Park in Japan and Europe around this time as well. In a completely unique move DBS would jump in the middle of Linkin Park's show and perform a few songs then leave and let Linkin Park continue with their show. The very unique name was also the brainchild of Bennington who explains it is about the dark period in which the songs were written. He said the period was one of self-destruction and too much not-so fun partying. The CD's title Out of Ashes on the flipside reflects what he has overcome. This really is Bennington's baby through and through because along with writing the soul baring songs he also participated in many other aspects as well like production and programming. The recording of the band's debut CD Out of Ashes began in July 2008 at the same time as Chester was working with his Linkin Park bandmates on their upcoming CD.
Out of Ashes was offically released October 13th and already has hit number 2 on the Itunes Rock Album charts. Out of Ashes is different and refreshingly so and everyone at Ulalume this Friday on any other stops the band makes are in for a treat. The CD opens strong with "Fire," which just bursts out of the speakers and features powerful lyrics like: “When I Look To the stars I know just where you are. You’re looking down upon me.” Each song tells a story be it of pain and the horrors in the world or redemption and love. The songs created by Chester for Dead By Sunrise really give him a chance to flex his vocal muscles. His amazing voice coupled with that the lyrics which he said he wrote about his own experiences prove to be quite a powerful combination. The songs really feel like Chester is pouring his heart out in every line. There are a few metal songs like "Inside of Me," which has an almost punk influence and is harder them some songs on Minutes To Midnight. There is also "My Suffering," which features Chester's signature scream which make some Linkin Park songs so memorable. "Condemned" is the darkest and probably the heaviest song of the bunch is pure mosh pit, head banging metal.
But Out of Ashes at its core is very melody and lyric driven. Bennington himself in fact said that the songs were originally recorded using an acoustic guitar which explains the more stripped down sound to the majority of the songs. The final songs run the gamut because there are slower ballads, hard rock songs and even songs that are pure synth-techno songs. The subtle use of synthesizer and distinctive guitar playing of the Julien K members give the songs a beautiful, lingering sound. But don't let the word "mellow" fool you because that doesn't mean boring it means slower. No worries rock lovers the "mellower" tunes still feature plenty of guitar, just not as much as some may be used too. As I said before Chester's voice has never sounded better then on Out of Ashes. While the first single from the CD, the rock anthem “Crawl Back In” is a brilliant tune it isn’t even the best song on the CD. Three of the standout tracks on the CD happen to be three of the mellower songs. “Too Late” and “Give Me Your Name” are both absolute masterpieces. The former will surprise LP fans due to it’s almost ballad quality but it is stirring and beautiful. The latter starts off with guitar work reminiscent of Gilmore era Pink Floyd and very haunting and is quite breathtaking. Then there is "Let Down" which starts off a lot more ambient and is perhaps the best song on the entire CD.
Another wonderful song that could give Green Day’s political anthems a run for their money is “End of the World,” this is one of the strongest of the harder tracks on Out of Ashes and should be a single. But it also is much more political then most LP songs with lyrics like: “When you read the news does it make you sick. Murder, money, politics…When you turn on the news what do you get, sex, lies scandal, violence. Like the end of gun pressed to your lips.” Has the same kind of compelling beats that for example Muse's "Uprising" features. "Into You" may surprise a lot of people but this perhaps one of the best "love" songs produced by any band in a while. It is actually quite stunning and the lyrics are very personal and soul baring "Stumble as I crawl, then I fall into you and I fade away," and "I am a man who's tragedies have been replaced by memories tattooed upon my soul." Another wonderful mellower track is the aforementioned" Walking In Circles" which the listener could easily envision Chester singing with just an acoustic guitar accompanying him. It starts off almost orchestral and is another song like "End of The World" that seems to be about what he sees in his environment more so then his inner turmoil especially with lyrics like: "Alone in a world with millions of souls walking in circles. Trapped in their dreams unhealthy, unclean. Walking In Circles." The CD closes with "In the Darkness" which starts off a bit funky and turns into almost a throwback to old school metal but proves this is one CD that is strong from start to finish. But on the CD for now as mentioned there is the bonus track "Morning After" which is a electronic work of art that is like a brilliant blend of Julien K meets Depeche Mode.
While comparisons are inevitable don't judge this CD based on Linkin Park; Julian K; or Julien K's past projects like Orgy. Instead judge Dead By Sunrise on its own merits because it isn't any of those other bands and this CD is one of the best new CDs released in a while. Dead By Sunrise is a chance for Chester and the boys of Julian K to experiment. The music seems like it was made by a band who has been working together forever and the songs stick with you for a long while after you hear them. There isn't a weak track in the bunch and before you know it the CD has ended and you will find yourself listening to it again. It is a diverse and stunning introspective project so don't be biased and let yourself fall into the "but it doesn't sound like insert band name here" trap. Because that isn't fair and if you do you will lose out on hearing quite a remarkable CD by a band who will hopefully make more music on the side for years to come. So while Paramore, AFI, Asher Roth and Kid Cudi may have more instantly recognizable names, if attending Ulalume Festival do not overlook or make the mistake of missing Dead By Sunrise. Honestly much like how out of ashes Chester felt he was reborn in life, he also was reborn as a musician. Because this collaboration of Chester and the many talented musicians from Julien K proves to be a match made in heaven.
Tickets to Ulalume Festival are still available on ticketmaster.com and are $35 for pavillion and $25 for lawn (To purchase Click HERE) Doors open at 4:30 and the show starts at 6pm. For more information on all the fun Halloween related events at Ulalume Festival click HERE But don't miss the great bands who knows maybe end up on TV because the festival will be recorded and aired live on MTV on Halloween. To hear more music and learn more about Dead By Sunrise check out: www.myspace.com/deadbysunrise , www.facebook.com/DeadBySunrise or www.cbennington.com/search/label/dead by sunrise
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