TRIPCHORD

Ever since Tripchord formed in Toronto back in 2000, the quartet has made some impressive strides. They've made a name for themselves among the metal community in their home-town with memorable live shows, a publicized CD release at edge102 in Toronto and the recent signing of a contract to Cyclone Records. What better way to introduce themselves to their new label (who's home to many a heavy band) than releasing "Surviving the System", their second full-length album.

The vocal style of Tommy Geraldes is reminiscent of Sully Erna of Godsmack yet he sets himself apart with his guttural growls. Coupled with the detailed guitar work of Colin Ward (which is anything but a wall of noise and feedback) and you have a great combination. Add in a solid rhythm section comprised of drummer Trevor and bassist Dan and you’ve got a healthy line-up.

Lead track “Reject” sets the tone for the rest of the album immediately with Geraldes’ scowls and the clean yet powerful instrumentation. The disc weaves from menacing guitars to intense metal onslaughts without missing a beat. It makes for a cohesive collection of songs that clock in at under forty minutes. One of their biggest strengths is the catching intro to songs, as found on “Fist Full of Rage”, “Preacher”. Even the quirky vocal effects on “Sick With Hate” capture your attention.

“Surviving The System” is certainly a step in the right direction for Tripchord. This should only help them build on their recent success.

- KMNR Music News Weekly

www.cdreviewsbyyou.com
reviewed by:robbie

Surviving the System is the second release from Toronto, Ontario's Tripchord. The album is ten tracks of raw, driving, kick ass hard rock that is sure to appeal to both old school Metal fans as well as new.

Front man, Tommy Geraldes displays incredible range for a Metal vocalist. Geraldes is equally impressive belting out a Metal anthem like the opening track, "Reject", as he is performing the more ballad-like, "Distant". Think James Hetfield crossed with Jim Morrison. Other stand out tracks include "Aggravate" and "Sick with Hate". In a year of many somewhat mediocre Metal releases, this album stands out as a gem.

- CD Reviews by You

The first thing I thought when I put on "Sinner of Man' was The Tea Party being beaten and molested in the dark by Peter Steele of Type O Negative. As the disc when on, I got more of a Godsmack feel. Godsmack being beaten and molested in the dark by Peter Steele? This CD has enough small hooks to catch an octupus, but don't look for them in lucid waters; they prefer to be under a thick black oil slick of corrosive angst.

-Ryan Dyer - Absolute Underground

It hasn’t been easy coming to terms with the Tripchord CD which is usually a good thing for me as the more trouble I have with writing a review the more diverse and original it actually is. Tension is built through the whole CD. From the probably live favourite, “Reject”, which leans towards nu-metal, onwards the band dives into the matter creating something quite distinctive and mature. The songs seem to gather depth with every step taken, as if the listener is on a journey to the next level of Tripchord-planet with every song. From metal and hardrock they can crossover to a more funky feeling. Just focussing on singer Tommy Geraldes a second here, he has the power to bend his voice so that he can resemble Mike Patton, James Hetfield, Glen Danzig and Phil Anselmo during the course of one song without blinking an eye. The other musicians can also shift their focus from a gloomy undercurrent supporting a song to a wave of metal drowning the whole band in a furious moshpit. It’s not an easy CD coming to grips with, so be patient when entering the world of Canadian band Tripchord…it will be worth it!

- Mass Movement Magazine (UK), posted by Martijn

Tripchord. The first thing I thought of when I heard the name was the ripcord on a parachute. It is one of those things that once it’s in your head you can’t get it out.
It’s a lot like Tripchord’s music. Since the first time I listened to them, I can’t get their tunes out of my head. It is somewhat appropriate that I have this image of the parachute stuck in my head because it is a good way to sum up the way I feel about their music.
As soon as you press the play button you are sent on a freefall journey much like jumping out of a plane. Everything rushes out towards you. It grabs you instantaneously and commands your undivided attention. It keeps getting more intense the more you listen and the only way to stop it is to pull the Tripchord; out of the cd player. Gladly this is the last thing you will want to do as once you have this baby in your hands it's going to be spending alot of time spinning in your cd player.

Based in Toronto, Ontario, Tripchord formed in early 2000 and has been a major force in Toronto's independent music scene ever since. 2005 saw the addition of new members Trevor (drums) and Dan (bass) as well as the start of the recording process for the band's next release. Their new release, due out sometime early this summer, is being recorded at Studio 92. Tripchord has joined the Cyclone records family and this is great news for the band as Cyclone is rapidly gaining ground and hard earned recognition as an emerging force in the music industry both locally and internationally. You can check out some of the bands songs at www.cyclonerecords.ca . Once this latest album is released it is going to launch this band on a journey and to steal a quote from Mr.Mojo Risin it will help them ‘Break on through to the other side.’

There is something hauntingly familiar about Tommy’s vocals. I can’t quite nail it down.
He is a superb singer; strong and powerful with good clean vocals but more than capable of growling with the best of them. You can feel his presence on the cd as if he was right in front of you on the stage.
Colin’s guitar playing is exceptional. He blends his artful style perfectly into the music but yet he doesn’t over do it, as many guitarists tend to do when they are flying solo in a band.
You can almost feel him holding back at moments in order to stay within the space of the song and keep the band in perfect harmony. Many play like they need to fill these spots with a mad solo or a crazy change up.
It is a sign of a band that has a deep understanding of what they are doing and what they want to accomplish and present to their audience.
The combination of Dan’s top notch bass playing interwoven with the skillful hands of Trevor’s masterful drumming makes for a formidable and dynamic presence for both Tommy and Colin to complete the tight chemistry with their guitar and vocals.
This is a very good band. Well-polished, well-produced, strong compositions all delivered at high speed; right in your face. I thoroughly enjoy all of the songs I heard, my personal favorite song is ‘Preacher’, I had the riff stuck in my head all day at work.
I could probably sift through a thousand comparisons of ‘sounds like’ bands. But really Tripchord has the ability to stimulate many flashes of this and that but yet they manage to stand on their own with their own unique and refreshing sound. Canadian band, gotta love it.

Make sure you drop into Tripchords website @ www.tripchordlive.com and sign up and also check their upcoming shows to see if they are coming to a venue near you.


Martin McNeilly www.albertametal.net www.warehousenightclub.ca - albertamusicscene.com