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Very few young, up-and-coming bands display the rare combination of passion and professionalism found in Phoenix's The Asylum. The crisp production on their debut album, Closer to the Evil, is a refreshing change of pace in a local scene bogged down with half-assed, self-produced demos by bands of questionable talent and dedication.
Of course, production value means little without solid songwriting, but The Asylum delivers in that regard as well. These guys appear completely unfazed by flavor-of-the-month metalcore trends, instead opting for the tried and true sound of late '80s thrash and early '90s groove metal.
Guitarist Vince LuPone clearly worshiped at the altar of legendary Pantera axeman Dimebag Darrell, while vocalist Jason Kendall's ability to go from a melodic baritone to a guttural growl recall's Sevendust's Lajon Witherspoon. The rhythm section of bassist Gerard Burick and drummer Dan Edwards provides a rock-solid backbone for The Asylum's sound, especially during the band's energetic live shows.
The Asylum might very well be the band to breathe life back into the Valley's stagnant metal scene. They've already set the bar higher for their peers. For that alone, valley metalheads should be grateful. - The College Times/ Tempe AZ
Discography
Closer To The Evil- Full length released March 2008 Weeping Shadow Records
Airplay on 98 KUPD (97.9 FM, PHX, AZ)
The Edge 103.9 (103.9 Fm, KEDJ)
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Bio
EMOTIONAL – POWERFUL – HEAVY – AGGRESSIVE
That is how we would describe the sound of THE ASYLUM
Following in the footsteps of bands like Pantera, Lamb of God, Metallica, & Megadeth, this band lays down power grooves like no other.
This is the way heavy metal is supposed to sound. This is the new breed of heavy metal.
The Asylum album, Closer to the Evil, is a non-stop sonic assault from the opening thunder of This War Ends, into the chest pounding anthem Invincible One, through the industrial barrage of This World, & finalizing with the gothic & sobering conclusion in the 9 minute epic Boundaries.
Closer to the Evil is 11 songs & 60 minutes of vast sonic soundscapes, punctuated by intense drumming, tight rhythmic changes, and The Asylum's trademark unique metal style. Vince LuPone and Adam Huck’s absolutely crushing twin guitar sound sets the tone, & vocalist Jason Kendall’s amazing repertoire of vocal styles, abilities, & sheer passion make this one of the tightest and most downright badass metal recordings of the new millennium. Talented speed metal drummer Dan Edwards and rock-solid bassist Bill Infamous anchor the band live, and each brings the thunder in one of the most talented heavy metal rhythm sections out today.
Mark our words, this is the heavy metal album of 2008
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