The Tower EP is a chaotic blend of thrash, deathgrind, and metalpunk in which I prioritize intensity when it comes to songwriting. Avowal learned a lot between the recording and release of Feast of the Familiar and developed a better sense of artistic identity as a result. I had a clear vision and focus going into this recording that is truer to our live sound than the first. After recording ten songs, a difficult decision was made to forego the full-length in favor of a four-song EP.
Background
Inspired by years of utilizing tarot as a tool for personal insights and growth, I named songs after the cards they reminded me of. The EP opens with “Empress,” which some may recognize as “Making a God and Monster” from the first album. This song has a heavy metalpunk vibe, with a thrashy chorus, and a weirdly dark bridge.
Of the ten songs recorded during those December sessions, three were from the first record. I still loved the songs, but I wasn’t crazy about how I captured them in my basement. The more Wally and I played those songs in a live setting, the more I wanted a recording of them reflective of that sound.
Not wanting to be in that position again, when Wally left the band, I started rethinking Avowal. As I jammed with the new lineup more, I dig the way we reimagined the songs. I did not want to lose all the hardwork and I wanted a better sounding record out there, so I selected four tracks from the winter recording session with Wally. “Empress” was the only song carried over to the EP from the previous record.
The Tracks
As The Tower tarot card signifies, personal revelations lead to the sudden upheaval necessary for change. I found it to be a fitting title for the EP given the circumstances around it. “Tower,” is the second song on the album and the first written for what I originally envisioned as a full-length. It has a sludgy introduction, opening with drum and bass, followed by harmonizing guitars. After chording out, it kicks up and takes you to unexpected places.
From there, the EP takes a sharp turn. Inspired by early deathgrind, it may not be the most palatable track to the average music listener, but it doesn’t matter. “Death” is my favorite track on the EP at present because it sounds as chaotic and unhinged as I felt when I wrote it.
To close the EP, I chose the cover song, “Sister Fucker, pt. I” because of the collab with J Leone of Sulaco. I thought Wally may appreciate the collab for his release final release with Avowal as he is a fan and friends with the band. The first show Avowal played with Sulaco; J made a hilarious remark about EYEHATEGOD shirts… I happened to be wearing one.
When I thought about who I wanted to share the mic with for this cover, knowing his enthusiasm for EHG, I reached out to J. He said yes and Sulaco guitarist, Brian Mason, captured his vocals at his studio, Atrox Studios and Production. The rest of the record was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Dave Johnson and Bad Back Studios in Bath, Ohio. Dave recorded Axioma’s Primal Descent around the same time.
In a way, it feels weird writing about my own band. But in a world where all musicians struggle to be heard, if you’re not willing to talk about your project: who is? Ha!
