In this weekly column, RFT Music gets to know local creatives, musicians and their missions. Get a slice of the local scene, complete with a snippet of sound and info about upcoming releases and shows. Stick around to see what St. Louis artists have to say whenever they Fill in in the Blank.
Four years ago, metallic hardcore group Everything Went Black played its first show alongside a DIY release based on four songs written by frontman Brandon Hoffman. Since then, the group's been through a lot: the loss of co-founder and friend Shagy Kennedy, a record deal with Prosthetic Records and several tours including stints with hardcore legends, Ringworm.
With a west coast tour as well as continual writing and recording on the horizon, EWB maintains a steady forward-driving momentum. On Sept. 5, EWB will hold a release show for its new three-song EP titled Mosenthein, the first recording with its newest members Josh Van Hoorebeke and Chris Stanton.
See also: - Everything Went Black to Embark on Tour With Ringworm - Everything Went Black Signs To Prosthetic Records
Everything Went Black casts a stark, moody intensity that's impossible to shake and merciless to the core. Guitars lurch forward with commanding heavy metal influence, entangled with gritty hardcore demeanor. Meanwhile, militant, deliberate drumming hits like a machine gun full of blanks to the chest. When faced with Hoffman's aggressive, stark vocals, one can't help but feel affected.
"I write a lot about failure, overcoming situations, religion, anxiety, living and dying. I write stories. I don't believe anyone could sit down and make sense out of any of it. I write for relief. It's not anything that anyone could relate to. It is mostly subliminal," says Hoffman, citing musical influences like Black Flag, Entombed and Neurosis.
EWB released its first full-length, Cycles of Light, on Prosthetic Records in January 2012. Mosenthein, a new EP recorded by Matt Amelung and mastered by Brad Boatright, officially drops on August 27 through Encapsulated Records. The three-song EP features two new tracks as well as a segue featuring the spoken word of Matt Questionmark and manipulated instrumentation by Gina Eygenhuysen of Indian Blanket.
Listen to the track, The Chouteau, below, and look for a physical release on audio cassette, complete with digital downloads of EWB's three other releases.
We invited vocalist Brandon Hoffman to fill in the blanks ahead of EWB's EP Release. Read on to see what he had to say, check out some EWB videos and get info on upcoming performances.
