 "Photo: Courtesy")
Texas-based rock band Flyleaf has risen from humble beginnings in Temple, Texas, to an internationally recognized delight. To commemorate this feat, the band is releasing their second full-version album "Memento Mori" Tuesday.
"It feels like yesterday," said bassist Pat Seals of the band's quick rise to success. Flyleaf formed in 2002 and after playing local shows, got some attention at the South by Southwest Festival in 2003. The band released their first self-titled album in 2005 and has been on the go since then with tours and traveling.
"You can put 10 years into those four. We were able to figure out who were as a band and see a lot of the world and the U.S. a couple times over," Seals said.
The band, which consists of lead vocalist Lacey, guitarist Sameer Bhattacharya, guitarist Jared Hartman, bassist Pat Seals and drummer James Culpepper said they were excited to work with producer Howard Benson and his crew again on the new album.
"He makes it so unbelievably easy for me to do to my job, which isn't all that hard to begin with," Seals said.
Seals, who is not a fan of the recording process, said that Flyleaf was able to try some new things with "Memento Mori" since they had more room to write the songs and more time, with no immediate shows to play after the recording.
"We were a little more focused on this one with a more cohesive idea behind the whole thing," Seals said.
The members decided to take a look at the music to find a common thread when it came to naming the album and chose "Memento Mori," which, roughly translated, means "remember that you are mortal."
"There have been a lot of personal situations that made us really think that our time here is precious. We thought it was important to say," Seals said.
The band started their "thank you to our fans tour" at the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles Oct. 29 to support the album. Seals said he is happy to be with the band.
"We're like a big family, always there for each other. A lot of great songs came out this time around and it's good to have someone to share it with," Seals said.
"Memento Mori" is toned down in terms of heavy vocals from Lacey and although fans may not be, her throat is probably thanking her. Nevertheless this tiny girl is still a powerhouse of sound as well as writing.
"Lacey wrote this song called 'Beautiful Bride' and I wasn't sure about it at first but it actually turned out to be one of my favorite songs from this album," Seals said.
The best way I can describe the songs of "Memento Mori" is hypnotic. You are enticed by the seductive lure of female vocals when suddenly, the bold guitars keep you locked in with every chord and then you are forced to bang your head with the rhythm of the drums.
Though the female-fronted rock group is not traditionally what people think of when they think rock band, it is definitely a rising trend the band has been able to step into beautifully through their songs that make a connection with everyone who listens to them.
Be the first to comment on this article!