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Hello All,
Twilight here, this month I'm grateful to the editors for allowing me to step in and fill Silver's shoes for the music review, in order to bring you a band I’ve become rather fond of - URN. They've recently released their EP, "Desecrated Ashes", and I'm happy to be able to share it.
The EP includes six songs, and a very special guest appearance by the vampire community's own Michelle Belanger. In addition to being a talented vocalist and songwriter who co-authored the track "Angels Are Weeping" with guitarist/vocalist Dominic St. Charles in their band Sacrosanct in the early 90's, she is well known to the community as the author of the Vampire Codex and the founder of House Kheperu. More information about Michelle and her current projects can be found at http://michellebelanger.com/.
But back to the music!
Band Bios:
The Chicago-based band URN (U.S.) consists of seasoned veterans of the national underground circuit. Taking its cues from acts such as Type O Negative, Trans-Siberian Orchestra as well as European bands such as Lacuna Coil, Nightwish, Theatre of Tragedy, Moonspell, and The Cult, URN delivers an energetic live show that combines boy/girl vocal trade-off, churning guitars, keyboards, and steady drums.
URN is:
Dominic St. Charles - Guitars, Vocals
Mistress Sophia - Keyboards, Vocals
Rhiobhan - Bass Guitar, Vocals
Rich Circo - Drums & Percussion
With guest vocals by - Michelle Belanger
URN (U.S.) has performed throughout the past year with many acclaimed underground national acts such as The Dave Brockie Experience, The Cruxshadows, Bella Morte, The Pimps, Diva Destruction, Seraphim Shock, Gossamer, Dark Martyr, Bozo Porno Circus, Cruciform Injection, Form30, Apocalypse Theatre and The Babylonian Tiles. The band has also done a simulcast with IPM Radio and various other popular internet radio stations.
The tracks on the EP are:
One Last Day
This track begins with somber, moody keyboards and goes right into a hard, heavy guitar intro. Vocals are wonderfully balanced between male and female, and the overall tone of the song is dark and longing. "All that I wanted from this world, is that one last day be with you"... a sentiment of things undone that many of us can surely relate to.
Embrace
This song begins with a catchy guitar riff reminiscent of some melodic metal from the 80's, but that's where the similarity ends. "Embrace the night with all of your might, go on and say the words, and do not weep for me"... overall it seems to be of finding your own way and not conforming for the sake of conformity
Father Dearest
Interesting opening on this one, starts with a bass line and has an almost middle eastern feel with the guitar. It features strong, well-blended female vocals. A strong statement about child abuse and it's aftermath. "My heart is filled with sorrow, and Daddy I still love you".
Angels Are Weeping
Tribal drum beats and somber keyboards with layered soprano over male vocals... what's not to love. This is the song co-authored by Michelle and Dominic and performed in their former band, Sacrosanct... all I can say about this one is that you have to hear it. "Dance in the graveyard and revel in sin..."
Liar in Waiting
Deep and dramatic with a wonderful break in tempo and style partway through. "Looking for answers I no longer find, wrapped in the recesses of my own mind..." The intro reminds me somewhat of 60's and 70's power rock but with more sophistication.
Little Tin Goddess
This is just about my favorite track... love the guitar work and vocals. Like the rest of the CD, dark but this one is very upbeat musically. "The lord of the night is calling to me, and all of my life I've been burning to be". I'm actually not sure what this one is about, *lol*, but I like it a lot... wasn't able to get all the lyrics so I'll be listening several times more! :)
Anyway, that wraps up the EP. Please check out the band at www.urncentral.com for more information, and they have a link there to listen to samples as well. There are also detailed band bios and information about their shows with some additional photos. To buy the CD, please visit www.cdbaby.com/cd/Urn. And many thanks to Dominic St. Charles for willingly sharing information about the band with me! Hope you all enjoy them as much as I have.
Live photos courtesy of Andy Kalihofer. Album photos courtesy of Pendragon Photography. Information from the URN website reproduced with permission.
Written By: Twilight
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