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Listen Up! The Vessel shakes up rock scene
By Myles Griffin
For the Herald-Journal
Published: Thursday, October 30, 2008 at 3:15 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, October 30, 2008 at 4:39 p.m.
Who? A hard rock band from Spartanburg
Courtesy of artist’s MySpace
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Spartanburg hard rock band The Vessel will open for nationally known act Pop Evil on Nov. 6 at The Handlebar in Greenville.
Sounds like? As sparse and spread out as the local rock scene can be in the Upstate, The Vessel are one of only a handful of Spartanburg acts trying to keep hard rock alive and kicking.
The Vessel hearkens back to a time when thematic rock-based metal thrived just before the explosion of "nu metal" into the mainstream and the buzzing of bands' distorted instruments prevailed over slicker productions.
Brent Charles' consistent, reverberating bass lines set up a hypnotic atmosphere, building up to the inevitable explosion of heavily charged guitar riffs and Jason Abernathy's guttural singing and snarling growls.
Abernathy clearly uses Tool's Maynard James Keenan as a reference point. The Tool influence becomes most prevalent as the music reaches its apex before Matt Williams' guitar riffs shred everything down. Josh Marshall maintains the tempo and structure of each song through tribal drum beats.
The Vessel contains a lot of the raw potential needed to deliver the hard rock scene a long-awaited shot in the arm. While the band favors a slow buildup, adding a dose of adrenaline would give variety to its sound and could help maintain the energy required to keep fans moving at shows.
The Vessel will serve as the opening act for nationally recognized act Pop Evil Nov. 6 at The Handlebar in Greenville. Tickets are $8 (additional $2 charge at the door for those younger than 21).
Four of the band's songs are available to stream at www.myspace.com/wearethevessel, and its self-titled EP can be purchased on iTunes.
Latest release: "The Vessel" EP
Download this: "Flame of Past," "Centipede," "Blend In"
Rocks like: "Awake" by Godsmack, "Mudshovel" by Staind, "Testify" by P.O.D.
Reach Myles Griffin at savesthegreenday@gmail.com.
- Myles Griffin/Spartanburg Herald Journal/Escape
Discography
*Self-titled 5 song EP
*Featured on 93.3 FM, The Planet
*Available on i-tunes and Aime St.
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Bio
With their temptuous lyrics, tribal hypnotic drums, deeply forged bass lines, and fiercely propelled guitar riffs, this arrangement of artists collided with each other in the Fall of 2006 to form "The Vessel". Based out of the Spartanburg SC "Upstate", the band grew up not too far apart from each other but in other musical arrangements. From past to present the band has collectively and individually gained exposure by opening for such acts as: SEVENDUST, INCUBUS, SYSTEM OF A DOWN, FEAR FACTORY, SCREETCHING WEASEL,SMILE EMPTY SOUL, NOTHINGFACE, LIFE OF AGONY, SOULFLY, BUCK CHERRY, POP EVIL, REV THEORY and many more. Also playing such acclaimed venues as The Viper Room (CA), The Masquerade (GA), Windjammer (SC), Wild Wing Cafe (SC), Handlebar(SC), Headliners(SC) and various FM radio spots. Now, with the recent birth of new songs and vast collaberation they chart a course to the unchartered. Specializing in providing the most rawly-explosive,sensuously-energetic performances around.Please climb aboard and experience the riveting sounds of The Vessel...
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