Concept albums are not new territory in metal by any means. But Northern Virginia's YESTERDAY'S SAINTS elevate
the notion of conceptual metal to a whole other level, thanks to the
rich, extensive storytelling and the pummeling metal in Generation of Vipers.
The music is as smart and thought provoking as it is extreme, that's
not an easy thing to do. Striking an artful balance is difficult, but YESTERDAY'S SAINTS make it seem easy.
Today
the second single from Generation of Vipers is receiving its exclusive
premiere courtesy of Metal Insider. Get a first listen to the track
"Origen Adamantius" http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Y39W9KXNayJe-6hS2iJpNTKJ-ShkyrSyN7b94WXCD8ANaqGfQUP2urJyziOqDlsopd6ubu71XRf7ybzhsCRv5XuPW9jFY3hEFTYWsK0cLuzmhesLTkzAxn5KJesA-9HCnzBAtEKdmO31ymaBj-sJMEIjw2bA4cXZ9G517X7sJv8NnbGgGMofoaw3u_xSERNVFKOYPfiOhOvLIXfj_o3eAW-0dycPV5dSwK3fM4dwMlvQYD8EA_fxnZj-gvzQq86r&c=7bFLzGuO7cz3hKPha49gui9iQnWoqcyNMDeee4Dd3coTDIDYpnIUug==&ch=fV1JTAo2DbsgWQ-9dA-aroyNJhzzrekH9oHwuTAAxTnr6YG9Lo_nAQ==" rel="nofollow - HERE
Generation of Vipers is available for pre-order http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Y39W9KXNayJe-6hS2iJpNTKJ-ShkyrSyN7b94WXCD8ANaqGfQUP2ukcvMmOFwbmKs--vNvj7MxP8wVvzk6GLQy3m4zZ1LnBeOE3wey_MUMParqAqGWDMktfDnjtSJtfVYwnujj_SCnmdQoZgaIOT0jWidFGf_-zDVf8peHx8ayovno-n3YcFW1Ev1hwlz0MG&c=7bFLzGuO7cz3hKPha49gui9iQnWoqcyNMDeee4Dd3coTDIDYpnIUug==&ch=fV1JTAo2DbsgWQ-9dA-aroyNJhzzrekH9oHwuTAAxTnr6YG9Lo_nAQ==" rel="nofollow - .
Purchases of the album via bandcamp will also receive a physical copy
of the album and the download is mastered for digital play. The album's
amazing artwork was done by Vance Kelly (Huntress, Down, Prong)
Check out the song "The Recruitment" streaming http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001Y39W9KXNayJe-6hS2iJpNTKJ-ShkyrSyN7b94WXCD8ANaqGfQUP2ukcvMmOFwbmKQDOtRZJPbqb4ZGGVeIisKR6_f8z1CXajB-91K5tG8a107lRi_Pty9rSnm93GthKFzMuEWZU6QZmfiM-w9rpFKiEso6bVgfBM7yzneyfI_KSzxBNGBOlVe4OAHsD8QfLx3Wap9Wo9dKxz1s6oBqA46Q==&c=7bFLzGuO7cz3hKPha49gui9iQnWoqcyNMDeee4Dd3coTDIDYpnIUug==&ch=fV1JTAo2DbsgWQ-9dA-aroyNJhzzrekH9oHwuTAAxTnr6YG9Lo_nAQ==" rel="nofollow - .
YESTERDAY'S SAINTS,
who play a death-thrash-power hybrid, has been in existence since
summer 2010 and with a self-released EP and some regional touring under
their belt. They knew that a full concept album was the next step they
wanted to take. But they did not go about it capriciously. The decision
to go with a concept for the 11-track Generation of Vipers was driven by the most important things -the songwriting and careful thought.
The
album is assembled like an opera, with three acts, along with an
instrumental interlude and outro. It traces the story of Satan, one of
the most notorious characters in history, throughout time, from his
desire to usurp God's throne to his modern infiltration of mankind to
the indication that all of Earth's inhabitants are now his descendants.
It's
a lot to process, but once you absorb that story along with the music,
your appreciation will be furthered and deepened, as all senses are
satisfied by Generation of Vipers, which targets one's brain and one's body.
Overall, Generation of Vipersis pretty advanced and intellectual extreme metal. But it's not stringing together big ideas for the sake of big ideas. The album,
which was recorded in the band's own studio and Assembly Line Studios
in Virginia, features atypical metal instruments, such as the piano,
cello, violin, so it really is lush and expansive and there is a lot
going on.
YESTERDAY'S SAINTS and Generation of Vipers
requires time and attention, but once you make the commitment and dive
into the story and the sound, you'll find yourself doubly rewarded.
ACT I (PRIMARILY MELODIC DEATH):
1) Fall of the Ancients
2) Origen Adamantius
3) The Recruitment
INTERLUDE:
4) A Priori
ACT II (DOOM/ROCK, POWER AND THRASH):
5) Sangreale
6) Cain's Agony
7) Sands of Nod
ACT III (THRASH AND MELODIC DEATH):
8) Generation of Vipers
9) Divine Tragedy
10) Recursion
OUTRO:
11) Luctus in Mane