middleworld

Rap saved metal from the big hair, spandex, and histrionic yodeling of the '80s and early '90s. But what will save it from the hard-rhyming horde who made a brace of growled couplets de rigueur in every nu metal hit? Given the success Madison's Middleworld have motivating the richly produced tracks of Defiance vs. Circumstance with grooving, prog-derived rhythm work, sampling and layer after layer of heavily processed guitars, the next hard-rock renaissance may have a lot less to do with testosterone-stoked aggression and a lot more with the focused expression of expansive musical visions.
This deftly realized album is a compex mix of ambient guitars, urgent-yet-tuneful vocals and admirably precise drumming. From the suggestive metaphysical opus "Pictures and Words" to the chunkier "Track 11," Middleworld demonstrate again and again that, unlike many of their peers, they're equal to a wide range of sonic strategies. Even bold departures from metal formula like the extended meditative passages of the 10-minute-plus "The Way" maintain a measured vitality thanks to the thoughtful interplay between drummer Matt Schmidt and bassist Kevin McDonnell. Main vocalist Carson Lawrence is always the center of the action, and in this case it's not a question of some anonymous screamer hogging the mike. Lawrence can sing, and his tendency to elongate most passages with his melodic moan adds depth to even the simplest lyric.
It's taken nine years and several personnel changes, but Middleworld have produced a debut full-length CD that trumps a whole lot of the national competition. - The Isthmus-Tom Laskin-2005

This was more an event than a rock show. The Annex was packed with sweaty raging and heavy tone and the crowd clearly appreciated the concentrated energy that each of these bands brought to the bill. Though this was undoubtedly Middleworld's event, the strength of the lineup kept the place buzzing for hours on end.
Middleworld has spent several years and countless gigs preparing for this night and it showed. From the first note, Middleworld was sizzling with passion, tearing through each track with abandon and leaving the crowd screaming. The samples mixed with tasty keyboard licks and fiery percussion helped to create an exhilarating and utterly successful show.
Middleworld were all grins as they closed the night, knowing that they accomplished everything that they set out to do. In one set, they justified the hype, proving that their talent and sound are creating fans at every turn. However, the success of this night was about the variety and intensity, offering a packed house five talented and diverse bands hand-picked by Middleworld, along with two brand-new CDs of inspired mayhem. Dafino and Middleworld, along with their supporting cast, made their mark and left the people thrilled and thirsty for more. - Rick's Cafe-Tim Thompson-2005

In a time when everything from "solid rock" to "new rock" is mashed up into a familiar structure, content, and attitude, Middleworld deliver a landscape of stratospheric melodies and emotively driven arrangements. You cannot just passively consume this music; YOU MUST BECOME A PART OF IT! - The Capitol Times-Cory Divine (Birth of Tragedy)2004