Blackened Earth
Detroit, Michigan, United States | SELF
Music
Press
Published March 2, 2006
Not many vocalists get compared to rock icon Chris Cornell, but that's the analogy Brian Osborn of Blackened Earth has heard time and again.
In the world of rock, it doesn't get much better than that.
"I consider myself more of a power vocalist," said the singer. "I love listening to Black Sabbath, Tool; even old R & B and soul singers."
With Osborn's strong wails sung over slow- burning metal riffs and languid melodies, Blackened Earth will likely satisfy followers of Audioslave, Disturbed, Stone Temple Pilots.
"We have a lot of aggression to our playing," Osborn said, "but there's a melodic aspect, too."
Earth was christened a decade ago, with members hailing from Lansing and Jackson. Over the years, the collective has won battle-of-the-bands. It's opened for heavyweights such as King Diamond, Sevendust and Drowning Pool.
The Drowning Pool show was in November. It's a night Osborn remembers well.
"When we opened for them, I looked out, and everyone up front was singing the words to all our songs," Osborn said of the show at Planet Rock in Battle Creek. "We've done this for so long, and it's nice to get that recognition. That was a big thrill, seeing those people, in that mass quantity, singing the words back."
The band - including Osborn, guitarist Greg Snider, bass player Ray Smetana and drummer Shane Lantrip - adds to its concert nostalgia Wednesday. It opens for legendary metal group Prong at the Temple Club.
The guys have been holed up in the studio as of late, churning out tracks for their new disc, working-titled "Before the Storm."
"We're extremely enthused about this new CD," Osborn said. "I think it's going to make a statement. I feel it in the heart."
Osborn says he's most proud of the solid songwriting on the disc.
"I think we came together and had an open mind to each other," said Osborn. "Music is such a personal thing. If someone says, 'Hey I'm not sure about this lyric,' that's your kid. That's your love; that's your boyfriend or girlfriend. That's how personally we take it. But we all opened up to each other."
Osborn's going favorite song on the CD is "Decay," a guitar-heavy track with thick grooves and poignant lyrics.
"It talks about decay as a factor as everyday life," Osborn said. "It's more or less awareness of what's going around you, and there's some political overtones. I think it's going to be one of our more powerful songs on the CD."
Show details: Blackened Earth, Prong, Negative Red, doors open at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Temple Club, 500 E. Grand River Ave., 316-0400, tickets are $10 in advance.
- Anne Erickson - Lansing State Journal
"Blackened Earth are World Class and should be heard Worldwide."
- Schafee, DJ, WKLS 96.1 FM, Atlanta, GA, WRIF 101.1FM, Detroit, MI
"Blackened Earth is one of the best bands in the Michigan area. Period."
- Bob Olson, Program Director, WJXQ 106.1FM, Lansing, MI
"Here's a group that proves you don't need to sing praise to the devil in some indistinguishable growl to truly rock.
Blackened Earth is a resounding "HELL YES!!" answer to the question...'Can you rock with intelligence?'"
- Jaz McKay, DJ, WWBR 102.7 FM, Detroit, MI
"This band is incredible! An outstanding live act and they deliver the goods on CD.
Someone better sign them before they miss the opportunity!!"
- Kevin Conrad, DJ, WJXQ 106.1FM, Lansing
"Blackened Earth is, in my opinion, the finest Rock act in the Michigan area. Searing leads, outstanding rhythms,
and extremely strong vocals keep Blackened Earth ahead of the pack."
- Renegade Newsletter (www.membrane.com/renegade)
"While never reaching full metal tempos and arrangements, Blackened Earth clearly listens to their share of metal
but also seem to listen to healthy amounts of Otis Redding and Pink Floyd. Rooted in the blues, the hard rock of
Blackened Earth manages to conjure their influences while sounding truly original."
- Mantis Magazine (www.mantismagazine.com)
- Individual Testimony
Discography
2006 - Blackened Earth - Before the Storm was released on June 17th. It contains 11 tracks, including a fantastic cover version of Black Sabbath's "A National Acrobat".
The tracks "DirtBitch" and "I'm Hit" have received local radio airplay and "This is Your Pain" could shape up to be a potential hit.
2004 - Blackened Earth - Volume One was released through our own Independent label, Triple Tree Media. It contains 11 songs that represent the first 6 years of the band. Two tracks from this release have received radio airplay in Michigan from WJXQ, WRIF and WWBN. The single "So Dark" was in High Rotation on WJXQ for 2 1/2 months. The single "Unbroken" has also recieved regular airplay.
Photos
Bio
For over ten years Blackened Earth has had the honor of sharing the stage with top acts like Drowning Pool, Taproot, Sevendust, Buckcherry, King’s X, Prong, Dio and many more.
Along the way they have built a solid reputation:
>>In 1997 Blackened Earth were considered one of the Top 50 unsigned bands in America by Discmakers
>>In August, 2001 they were judged the winners of the Q106fm "Homegrown" Contest. Chosen as the best from a field of over 300 Michigan bands, this was a great honor and Blackened Earth maintained heavy rotation on Q106 for over two months with their powerhouse song "So Dark".
>>In August 2003, Blackened Earth cemented their reputation by placing 1st out of over 500 bands at the 2003 Ingham County Battle of the Bands.
>>In June, 2004 Blackened Earth released their first self produced full length CD titled “Volume One”.
>>In May, 2006 Blackened Earth released their second self produced full length CD titled “Before the Storm”, which includes a rare cover of Black Sabbath’s ‘National Acrobat’.
They continue to hone the craft of hard rocking music and entertainment. Blackened Earth continues to play live in and around Michigan and are currently working on their third CD.
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