Music
Press
It will take about two seconds for Freaklabel's debut studio album, "Monolith" to win over anyone who likes aggressive rock n' roll. The Cedar Rapids metal band comes out swinging on the albums first song, "Slaughtery Machine," which begins with the razor-sharp electric guitars of Scott Arens and Ryan Keller slamming against each other at light speed, before being joined by Arens' burly vocals and bassist Adam Mykris and drummer Ben Carrillo's hammering beats. "Monolith" doesn't back down after that either, with song after song that metal fans should love and punk rockers should start paying attention to. After forming in 2003, last summer Freaklabel released Live & Brutal, and introductory live recording that showed the band s potential yet suffered from the murkiness that accompanies most live albums. "Monolith," on the other hand, shows Freaklabel unencumbered by it s surroundings, and it s a sound to behold. One of the best aspects of "Monolith" is that Arens' screaming vocals, while heavy enough to scare away mom and dad, avoid the metal cliche of sounding inhuman and incomprehensible. Arens always sounds like a real person, albeit an angry one, and the strategy seems ripe for listener sing-a-longs to songs like "Subtleties of War" and "Leader of Disaster." - Cedar Rapids Gazette
If you think that the music scene in Iowa is nonexistent or limited to bad country DJ's, like the one at your cousin's wedding, you are sadly, sadly mistaken. Monolith, the upcoming album from eastern Iowa metal band, Freaklabel, proves that music is indeed alive, and thriving. From the explosive opening track Slaughtery Machine through the hypnotic final track Apathetic Conception your ears will assaulted by some of the heaviest music to come out of the state in years. Longtime fans will appreciate the remastered and ultimately heavier versions of a few of the band s live staples: Swelter, Dissecting the Tapeworm, and Of the Failed. New songs Subtleties of War and the instrumental Hoc Sustinete Majus De Veniat Malum have an infectious metal groove and driving power that will keep you breathless. This isn t a mainstream kind of metal band, so popular on the radio these days with only three cords to choose from, a bridge, no guitar solo, and lot s of fake despair. These guys have definitely practiced their instruments since their founding in 2003 and their musicianship has increased one-hundred fold after playing for four years in dingy bars all over the Midwest. Simply put; this is by far the best metal album to come out in years. Period. If you like the old days of when guitar players actually played guitar solo s, this disc is for you. Guitarist Ryan Keller weaves intricate guitar solos throughout each heavy hitting song with the speed and expertise of a true guitar hero. Bassist Adam Mykris keeps the band honest with his solid bass lines and his ability to follow Keller s wild guitar while at the same time adding his own creative dimension to the band's sound. Drummer Ben Carrillo lays down a rock-solid, yet extremely technical barrage of drums that will blow your speakers and eardrums apart. Singer Scott Arens pulls no punches in his approach to his vocals. His screams, growls and complete mastery of his voice lend an assault of pure power while he delivers lyrics about overcoming the boredom and close-mindedness of small town life but most importantly, about being yourself whoever you are. The music is solid, well crafted, heavy-hitting, and leaves you breathless after each song. This is what you d listen to driving down the interstate 100 mph with the window down: a full fledged blast in the face, going balls out all the way. Make sure you re in your driveway however, before listening to the beautiful and haunting hidden acoustic track at the end of the disc. Trust me, you ll be worn out. If you re looking for something fresh, heavy, and totally original, buy this album, you won't be disappointed. - Bob Brownell Freelance Writer/Reviewer
Discography
Live & Brutal: Full Length Digipak
MONOLITH: Full Length Sudio Album
Dissecting the Tapeworm has been picked up by many college radio stations and used in Promotional spots used on cable network TLC for tattoos. Slaughtery Machine, The Open Sea, Leader Of Disaster, Dissecting The Tapeworm & Apethetic Conception have all been picked up and in regular rotation on THE EDGE KBVU radio.
Photos
Bio
The formation of Freaklabel in early two thousand three ushered in a new musical movement. Pushing aside the local musical narrative of weekend warriors and cover bands, Freaklabel brought with them a dominant and original sound dubbed Working Class Metal. Defined by unequaled technical prowess, attention grabbing guitar hooks, and a thunderous rhythm section, Freaklabel was poised to take over the local music scene. After a year playing the local watering holes the owner of local rock club 3rd Street Live took notice, asking Freaklabel to step up to the next level. Carving itself a niche, locally opening for national acts such as Mastodon and Killswitch Engage, Freaklabel began to notice a significant growth in the number of attendees at each live event. After the release of a six song demo and gaining the recognition they had been seeking Freaklabel decided it was time to take their show to headline status.
With a D.I.Y. ethic, Freaklabel self promoted via all forms of media to create a frenzy, thus ushering in Working Class Metal to some of the largest crowds ever seen locally, nearly pulling eight hundred people at one such event. After a mere three years in the scene, Freaklabel had created something unique and special. Garnering enough fans, or Gear Heads as they would be affectionately referred to, Freaklabel was able to make them part of what they called their machine. This machine would pile drive audiences night after night in many cities around the Midwest and later across the southern United States.
Since their inception, Freaklabel created a live show that is unparalleled in the current music scene. Realizing that live was the only way to experience the pure musical brutality that Freaklabel put forth the band chose to record and release the uncompromising Live & Brutal. Heavy, technical, and bar none the best metal act since Pantera, Live & Brutal confirms that Freaklabel are the reigning kings of the current metal movement. In the beginning, Freaklabel came to stake their claim as the most dominating force in the underground music scene; Live & Brutal was the culmination of that journey.
After a year of promoting Live & Brutal, Freaklabel decided take time to create what will become their first proper full length studio release. Hearing the call of Gear Heads everywhere, Freaklabel understands that what is to come next has to be bigger, better, stronger, and even more exciting than it has been in the past. Freaklabel understands that all eyes are on them after making such a punishing statement with Live & Brutal.
What has come next, is not only bigger, better, and stronger, it is monolithic. Freaklabels first studio album, MONOLITH, shows just how talented and diverse this group of musicians are. With the definition of the title alone, i.e. an organized whole that acts as a single unified powerful or influential force, Freaklabel chose to make a strong statement. Unapologetically running the gamut of musical taste, from the speed metal influenced Slaughtery Machine to the slug riff orgy of The Open Sea, Freaklabel pull out all the stops, initiating a musical frenzy that is as invigorating to hear as it is to play. Monolith proves that Freaklabel can take leaps and bounds musically while still retaining the Working Class Metal groove that they pioneered years before.
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