Ever since bands like Neurosis, ISIS, and Pelican became popular in underground and indie scenes across the globe, the newly coined “post-metal” genre has grown into a musical fad, increasingly oversaturated with bland, tasteless imitators. Despite the style’s tendencies towards subtlety and intellect, “post-metal” has become more of a competition for volume and fancy effects than the artistic experimentation that its founders possessed. But while so many long for days past, an ambitious group called the Pax Cecilia is taking bold new strides for the genre. Combining ambient metal with various flavors of post-hardcore, indie rock and classical instruments, these boys from Brookville, Pennsylvania are here to prove that the future is still bright for “heady metal.”
After nearly four years since their first release Nouveau: A Theater of Air, the Pax Cecilia are back at it and hoping to gain some recognition. Just last month, the group released their second full-length album Blessed are the Bonds. Completely self-produced and self-released by the band, the disc contains eight captivating tracks of musical exploration through a wide array of styles and instrumentation. From chillingly beautiful piano and violin melodies to pummeling guitar riffs and guttural screams, the album covers an impressive amount of ground while managing to maintain one cohesive identity.
If that’s not enough to get you to snatch this ground-breaking release, you might want to know that the band is giving away copies of this new album for no charge.
“We’re attempting to exist on a donation-based model,” says band member John Feustel, “We realize that the music industry is undergoing a radical change, and we want to be at the front of separating the art of music from commercial interests.”
Simply send your mailing address to cd@paxcecilia.com and you will promptly receive a free copy of Blessed of the Bonds. But remember, bands like the Pax can’t survive without your support. If you dig their music, head over to the band’s Donation Page and drop them a few bucks. Also look for the Pax Cecilia on tour this summer, as they travel throughout the eastern US. Dates can be viewed here.
More on the Pax Cecilia
LISTEN: MySpace
VISIT: Official Page
Ever since bands like Neurosis, ISIS, and Pelican became popular in underground and indie scenes across the globe, the newly coined “post-metal” genre has grown into a musical fad, increasingly oversaturated with bland, tasteless imitators. Despite the style’s tendencies towards subtlety and intellect, “post-metal” has become more of a competition for volume and fancy effects than the artistic experimentation that its founders possessed. But while so many long for days past, an ambitious group called the Pax Cecilia is taking bold new strides for the genre. Combining ambient metal with various flavors of post-hardcore, indie rock and classical instruments, these boys from Brookville, Pennsylvania are here to prove that the future is still bright for “heady metal.”
