Whether it was destiny or simply a heartfelt drive to do what you love, Crossfade made it happen on their own terms as this West Columbia, SC outfit is eyeing big things to come with their self-titled debut on Columbia Records.
I first heard Crossfade as their emotive single “Cold” captured my attention over the radio airwaves. But it wasn’t until the disc made its way across my desk and into my CD player that I found myself immediately gripped with what I would consider to be one of this year’s best album releases. In a nutshell, Crossfade is a sonically polished collection of modern rock greatness with an ultra melodic emergence, both musically and vocally, that is to be applauded. The thing that makes this most impressive is that the guys in Crossfade did this pretty much all themselves as they self-produced their debut album in their home studio, called SugarStar Studios, located in the basement of their home. I mean this is really an unparalleled sounding final product that virtually had no major label involvement during the making.
I’ll tell you right now, every freaking track on this album is superb; from the feverish opening run of “Starless” to the more mellow hallow of album closer “The Unknown,” Crossfade is rich with texture, structure, and passion. What I simply mean by that is that there’s substance that much of what today’s hard rock scene is terribly lacking. And yes, they can still rock out hard on tracks like “Disco” and “Death Trend Setta.”
This is pretty much the same feeling I had about last year’s Cold release Year of the Spider, it’s a modern rock tour de force in my book. If were to group Crossfade with acts that I would consider to be in the same class, it would be with the likes of Cold, Lo-Pro, and Ra. All those bands offer up so much more to modern rock today than many others.
In a time when so many rock music fans are extremely hesitant in dishing out cash for an album that nowadays consist of only one or two decent tracks, Crossfade will make every cent you spend worth your while. From start to finish, Crossfade is a solid listen.
Hometown Crossfade fans will recognize the majority of this eponymous major-label debut, as it's been retooled from the band's self-released 2001 effort, when they were still known as Sugardaddy Superstar. Columbia's signing of the band makes sense, as Crossfade combines the most marketable elements of Nickelback and P.O.D. (check "No Giving Up"), throwing in the brooding aggression of Cold and Disturbed as bonus glue. Its occasional flirtation with synths and sampling is negligible, as discordant guitars dominate the album's mix. Speaking of cold, that's also the name of the 'Fade's first single. Ed Sloan has a powerful voice, and he sells the track's somewhat generic chorus ("What I really meant to say/Is that I'm sorry for the way I am") by really lighting into the melody. He goes on to apologize for his "screwed-up side" as dull power chords lurch in the background. "So Far Away" and "Disco" follow a similar formula, marrying thick, glowering riffs to rousing choruses; that Disturbed feel really drifts in on the latter, where you half expect an "Oh wah ah ah ah!" yawp after its payoff chorus chant. Crossfade actually runs into trouble with tracks like this or "Death Trend Setta," where they try too hard to soak their considerable rock power in played-out angry guy raps. The band is more successful with cuts like "Starless," the aforementioned "Cold," or even the atmospheric "Deep End," where Sloan hits huge vocal hooks over serviceably powerful riffs. "Dead Skin" is another relative highlight of Crossfade. Musically it's an awkward facsimile of Staind's embittered melodrama, but its tale of addiction and relationship destruction feels like the record's emotional core. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide
CROSSFADE will be bringing their hard-core sounds from South Carolina to a location near you in 2004
The self-titled debut album by Columbia, SC hard-rockers CROSSFADE--Tony Byroads (Lead Vocals, Keys and Samples), Brian Geiger (Drums), Ed Sloan (Lead Vocals, Guitar) and Mitch James (Bass Guitar)—will be released in April 2004 on Columbia/Earshot Records. The first single, “Cold,” will be serviced to radio early next year. Throughout September and October, “Cold” was part of the “Top Five at Five” request list for 26 out of 45 days, on the band’s hometown radio station WARQ-FM. Various songs on the album have been mixed by Randy Staub (Metallica, P.O.D., Nickelback) and George Marino (AC/DC, Our Lady Peace). CROSSFADE is looking for early guidance from their fans to help make their debut album all the more impactful upon its release. They’re asking fans to design a new band logo and as well as the album’s cover artwork. To submit ideas, hear “Cold,” and stay updated on the latest tour dates and everything else happening in CROSSFADE’s world, log onto their website at www.crossfadeband.com. Stay tuned for further details.
This
Site has been designed for 800x600 resolution and Macromedia
Flash Player 5.
________________________________________________________________________________
