Before There Was Rosalyn
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Before There Was Rosalyn

Houston, Texas, United States | INDIE

Houston, Texas, United States | INDIE
Band Rock Alternative

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"Full Page Feature"

JUMPING THE HURDLES OF LIFE has proved to be an inspirational endeavor for Before There Was Rosalyn. By taking an honest look at the conflicts the members of the band have faced, these Houston, Texas heavies were able to find more than enough material for their Victory Records debut, The Fuhrer: An Allegory of A History of Deception. This 11 track slab of poignant and powerful metalcore aims straight for the heart with its musical and lyrical intensity. Pulling into yet another venue in another town, vocalist Carlos Salazar goes in-depth about the meaning behind the band's music.

From the song titles and the Fuhrer's overall continuity, is this a concept album?

Yes, it is. The Fuhrer was a concept that we had developed about a year before we started writing the actual music. It was an idea that really hit us. The Fuhrer is the embodiment of spiritual warfare, and the fact that when we become desensitized to our surroundings we can become jaded about life. It's about despair and hopelessness. It's about the human spirit at its worst. We set out to write songs that captivated those emotions. It's about fighting your way through that spiritual warfare and coming to a place where you can find hope and faith, and you can embrace it. You can overcome the things that are the war inside your heart. So, we took the name from Nazi Germany, because we wanted to emphasize how important the human heart is, but how dark it can be when you become so engulfed in the things that can drive a man's heart crazy. We thought it would definitely raise a few eyebrows and get people's attention. It worked out beautifully because, lyrically, it allowed me to go places I had never gone before. We're a Christian band, and everything we do is in one way or another connected to worship, but this really allowed me to address some things that you won't hear in other records.

Was it difficult to step outside of your beliefs and dive into the darker side of life, or was it more of an outlet?

It really came more naturally than one might expect, only because we're all human and everyone struggles with something.That was our honest way of saying we hold onto our faith wholeheartedly. It's in struggling to live up to what we believe and to be more Christ-like, that we come into these struggles of the world. It is a matter of opening that door, saying that what we believe in will carry us through, and talking about these things that everyone feels at one point or another. No matter what kind of faith you have, no matter what you believe in, everybody goes through tough times. Everyone feels lost at one point in his or her life, and everyone struggles with finding a sense of purpose. Lyrically, I was able to address these things that I think everybody feels and even personal struggles that just come with being human and being young, as well.

The album starts on a very dark note, flows through a wise variety of emotions, and eventually ends at a much lighter, more uplifting point. Was that your intentions?

Actually, yes it was. We wanted these songs to sound dark. Because we had developed this concept from the beginning to end, we wanted there to be a point that, as you got further into the record, not only were you hearing lyrics that got more uplifting, but also music that carried that same kind of tone. We wanted people to listen to the tone of the record, and even if you couldn't understand the words, we wanted you to pick up on the emotion. That's why, towards the end of the record, we have those moments that are more uplifting and vibrant than some of the darker parts near the beginning.

So, in many aspects, is this album a microcosm of life?

Yes. It's the human story, and that's the allegory. We all start out looking for our purpose, but the core of everything is that spiritual warfare where we overcome those obstacles in our lives. The irony is that I don't think we ever reach that point where we conquer everything. It's just a matter of saying that you've reached a place where you understand that everyday can be a struggle and none of us are ever done.

Did knowing what you wanted ahead of time make things difficult
for the band when it came down to putting the songs together?

We actually had several talks where we all agreed it was much harder writing this record, because in the past we just focused on the music that we were feeling at the time. It definitely proved challenging, but everyone really enjoyed it because it was unlike anything anything we had ever done before. When we were able to knock out the 11 songs that wound up on the record, we were really pleased. Listening to those first couple of rough mixes in the studio was very surreal because this was an idea we had been building on for quite some time. To hear the final product made us feel like we had really put it together just how we wanted.

Does the band have a set plan for to the future, or are you just going to take things as they - Outburn Magazine - Issue #52


"TGIM Exclusive Interview"

Access interview here: http://www.hmmagazine.com/2009/10/tgim-exclusive-interview-before-there-was-rosalyn/ - HM Magazine Online


"Two Page Feature"

Forthcoming. - HM Magazine - Issue #141


Discography

The Fuhrer (An Allegory Of A History Of Deception) - 2009

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Bio

A ministry first and a band second: this is the mantra of Houston, TX quintet Before There Was Rosalyn. The foundation for this poignant metalcore act is faith above all else. Understanding that while everyone may not share in their spiritual beliefs, sharing this love with their fans is of equal importance. This sincerity is what drives their newest release, The Fuhrer: An Allegory Of A History Of Deception. With a name like this, the album is sure to turn some heads.

The Fuhrer is intense in every sense of the word. A racing rhythmic pulse drives the record, forcing listeners to feel rather than hear the melody. Chunky breakdowns and discordant riffs create a heavily crushing sound. Beyond the screams, a powerful message lies beneath the surface.

On the lyrical concept of the album, vocalist Carlos Salazar explains, “The Fuhrer is an embodiment of spiritual warfare and the fact that we have become desensitized to our surroundings when we become jaded about life. It’s about the human spirit at its worst. Absolute power absolutely corrupts. Touching on the loneliest and most desolate places of the human heart, it’s a journey through despair that, led by perseverance, eventually leads us to the proverbial shores of hope.”

Before There Was Rosalyn wants to play as many live shows as possible. After extensive touring for their 2008 release As Far As The Moon From The Sun, the post-hardcore act set out to make a powerful statement with their Victory Records debut. Back in full-force, the band returned to the stage in January 2010. What makes this band truly unique is its love of the fans. Selling t-shirts or CDs isn’t a top priority for Before There Was Rosalyn. They just want to build meaningful relationships with their fans.

“If you would like to purchase our record, feel free, but even if you don’t, come be a part of our lives at a show near you, and let us be a part of yours. We want to be your friend.”

As history repeats itself, this album will open your eyes to the abuse of power, corruption, and the evil of which we are all capable of. Offering hope in understanding, Rosalyn reaches out to the masses with its message of eternal love.