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The best kept secret in music
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Distorted Mind. Thin Air & Empty Shadows. At first glance the band name and album title may seem abstract, but there’s plenty of explanation to go around once the liner notes are unfolded and consumed. In any case, what they put forth with this EP is twenty minutes of solid American metal. Who do they sound like? That’s a good question, but I haven’t the slightest. Bafflingly, every time I reach for a comparison I get stumped. Oh well, fuck it. All you need to know is that this is an impressive debut.
I won’t argue with those who claim that Distorted Mind are kind of generic – they surely aren’t pioneers – though I will say that there are several components worth noting. “A Painting of Winter’s Darkness” escorts us into the EP with grace, quickly eschews its roots, and then turns up the distortion to eleven. Bozarth’s growling lunges with confidence as the tempo hops along excitedly. However, the composition is neither immaculate nor flawless. While the production is out of this world (considering this is the self-financed effort of an unsigned band), the drumming is at times clumsily iterated. Nevertheless, McCann’s chops shine through due to his tasteful accompaniment; the guitars mesh with the drums, complementing one another again and again. “Frozen Reflections,” conversely, lets doom run amok and is slower than its predecessor. After about two minutes, though, Distorted Mind give the tempo a jolt, which momentarily transforms “Frozen Reflections” into a jig as opposed to a dirge. Clean vocals share the mic during this number, too, and provide respite from the growling. “Division of Past” bats clean-up for Thin Air & Empty Shadows, and almost feels folkish. The clean vocals within “Division of Past” are to be disdained, however, unlike the ones that played a cameo in “Frozen Reflections.”
Overall, the band has a sturdy EP. The three songs, while not groundbreaking, contain a gamut of inviting grooves, and Thin Air & Empty Shadows looks and sounds like a full-on release. Their apparent regard for professionalism should carry them a long way. You’ll be reading more about Distorted Mind in the future, because now you’re gonna read their Unsigned Spotlight, right?
7.5/10 - UltimateMetal.com
Less often than not, I’m greeted by a wall when I attempt to liken one band to another. And, for the life of me, I can’t identify exactly who it is that Distorted Mind can be compared to. As far as the details are concerned, this trio often fuses doom with death metal, and Thin Air & Empty Shadows is the Americans’ debut EP. Despite the proficiency and slight quirkiness, of which both swirl continuously during the recording’s length, these guys remain unsigned. Though it’d be a stretch to label the aforesaid circumstances a “tragedy” or a “damn shame,” I will say that they’re quite unfortunate, as the disc is exhilarating in the sense that I know greater things are to follow.
The three compositions toss the EP’s length above twenty minutes, since two tracks flirt with the eight-minute mark, while the closer bounds itself to six. So, yeah, Thin Air & Empty Shadows isn’t some flimsy, lil record that concludes shortly after it begins. “A Painting of Winter’s Darkness” leads the pack into the foray with a bombastic commencement, heightened by Bozarth’s (vocals, guitars) chunky growls and McCann’s sloppy-yet-fitting drumwork. For the most part, the rhythm section could use some tightening, though the rhythms are the band’s apparent strongpoint. Matter of fact, the tempos, that these doom/death-players forge, are a catalyst for movement of all kinds (bobbing, headbanging, et al). “Frozen Reflections,” on the other hand, is different. More doom than anything, the former focuses on Bozarth’s fine growling, but then spurs the tempo in order to inadvertently achieve a Finntroll-like jig. Perhaps expectedly, “Frozen Reflections” pulls on the reigns, inserts tradeoff between solid clean vocals and growls, and then halts soon afterwards. “Division of Past,” the briefest number, starts in the same innocuous way that its predecessor does, but similarly abandons the easygoing instrumentation for darker musings. The operatic vocalizations, that riddle “Division of Past,” are probably the most glaring detractor on the whole EP. Otherwise, Distorted Mind fare well in several categories, though I advise practice to remedy the occasional shakiness.
It goes without saying that I’ve read through the group’s influences. However, I found it extraordinarily difficult to pin down any concrete sound-alikes, even though some narrowly missed falling off the edge of my tongue. Or, in this case, fingertips. Most importantly, Thin Air & Empty Shadows is evidence that Distorted Mind do indeed harbor scintillating qualities. The trio’s efficacy needs bumping up, but this EP is a solid indication of new, young talent. I encourage interested parties to traverse the applicable websites for samples, and I also encourage record companies to at least lend one ear. - MetalReview
Distorted Mind is a New Jersey based metal band that I have had the honor to be introduced to. Their EP, Thin Air and Empty Shadows, is an extremely good sign of things to come. They sound like a mix between Death and Nevermore. This EP is heavy, technical, melodic, and down right eerie at times.
Will's vocals are very strong. It seems like he has nailed his death metal growl and created himself a very unique singing voice. At times he sounds like Warrel Dane, Nevermore, but without abusing his range. Will's voice creates a dark and somber atmosphere that lures the listener deeper and deeper into the depths of this musical abyss.
The guitar work on the EP is also great. The riffs are solid and the melodies are memorable. Lastly, I am impressed with the way they use their rhythm section. The bass and drums are there, but mainly for atmospheric purposes. The rhythm is very subtle and never showy. I think it is good when a band can show that kind of restraint.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is the future of melodic death metal. Good songwriting, good lyrics, original melodies, and riffs that will leave you begging for more. Highly recommended for Nevermore, Death, and Opeth fans.
Album Score: 8.7 out of 10 - TMetal
Discography
EP: Thin Air and Empty Shadows (2005)
The three songs on this EP are currently being rotated on MetalFaction radio. We have had airplay on various AM and FM stations in Binghamton, NY; New York, NY; Deptford, NJ; and Philadelphia, PA.
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Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
We combine elements from many areas of the Heavy Metal spectrum. Often times, people would compare us to Death, My Dying Bride, Novembers Doom, Finntroll, Nevermore, and Carcass. We often enjoy mixing Doom, Death, and Thrash Metal. From the above mix of bands, it is obvious that we are unpredictable, as we blend together many different emotions and take the listener on a journey with our music and lyrics.
We have played venues in Philadelphia, Delaware, all ends of New Jersey, and New York.
Our EP, 'Thin Air and Empty Shadows', is being distributed through Oak Knoll, The End Records, Red Stream, and Dark Symphonies.
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