And now for something completely different….brace yourself.

Should you not have a predilection for death-metal music, you may have just a smidge of trouble appreciating the finer aesthetic points of the angry, aggressive-looking band logo below. As I didn’t know a mosh pit from an arm pit, creating it was arduous; I was like a floundering mackerel out of water.

To my untutored ears the initial shocking auditory overload of this subgenre sound seemed reminiscent of a wild animal amidst its death throes. Courageous persistence afforded me a detailed fast-track education in the core nuances of ‘extreme’ throat-screaming, (nightmarish, spine-chilling) headbanging, shredding, chugging, riffs and seven-string guitars.  It’s almost time for my medication.

My endeavours to achieve the brief for an image resembling the gaping jaws of a furious wild animal were rewarded by the band members professing that my logo is “SICK”.   Such obvious flattery had me agreeing to further design t-shirts and other merchandise.

Their elemental image is monolithically hardcore; ear tunnels and tattoos notwithstanding.  The visceral sound pushes beyond most people’s preconceived notions of heavy music.  And yet…these young men are not remotely dangerous; each one is well educated, admirably charming with impeccable good manners.  They are passionate, ambitious and intensely focused on technical perfection and good song writing….although I may be accused of bias, having spawned the 17 year old lead guitarist (far left).

If you’re feeling really brave have a listen to them.

Whether or not you are an embracer of the death metal scene…it is huge and rapidly becoming more mainstream…you have been warned!

….close eyes to exit.

*Update! My son quit the band as he needs more time for his music studies – jazz: much easier on the ear  And he’s decided to be a composer.*