Critically-acclaimed Project 86 has produced their stylistically broadest work for their eighth studio release, Wait For The Siren.
The departure of the uber-talented Steve Dail and Randy Torres left vocalist Andrew Schwab on his own. Their roles have been aptly, while perhaps not as capably filled, by newcomers, Scott Davis - drums, Dustin Lowry - guitar and Mikee "Norman" Williams handling bass.
Promotional material for Wait for the Siren stated that this "finds the band returning to their roots." This doesn't seem to be referring to their musical roots, but perhaps their ancestral background. This album sounds like no previous P86 album.
A large number of new influences and sounds are brought out on Wait for the Siren. Uilleann pipes and mandolin have been added to the P86 mix providing a Celtic twist to a number of tracks. This is most noticeable on "Fall, Goliath, Fall", "Ghosts Of Easter Rising" and the instrumental title track "Wait For The Siren."
Wait For The Siren delivers the broadest range of music ever produced by P86. The softest track ever recorded by the band is the ballad "Blood Moon." It also offers up one of their hardest tracks ever with "SOTS."
Wait For The Siren included a plethora of guest talent in the studio. Andrew Welch (Disciple), Blake Martin (A Plea For Purging), Rocky Gray (Evanescence), Cody Driggers (The Wedding), Bruce Fitzhugh (Living Sacrifice) and Brian “Head” Welch (Korn, Love And Death).
When I first heard the album I had mixed feelings. Initially my thoughts were "this isn't Project 86." After numerous listens my exuberance has grown for the new sounds found on Wait For The Siren. After 16 years producing music, P86 is willing to shake both themselves and their fans up with a vibrant, passionate, and reinvented Project 86.
Dave Hawkins -http://www.christianrockfiles.com/
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Wait for the Siren: A Call to Arms| Posted September 17, 2012
Project 86 has made a name for themselves by sweating it out on stages in underground venues around the country, walking the hard road of Christian hardcore. Their work and tireless dedication to their craft earned them a solid fanbase--a fanbase that served as the jumping off point for creating a fan-funded independent record.
Early this year, Project 86 joined the ranks of bands launching kickstarter campaigns, inviting fans to back the upcoming record financially in return for various rewards. The band easily met, surpassed, and then doubled their goal, enabling Project 86 frontman and mastermind Andrew Schwab to assemble a strong team for completing the album. If fans doubted that Project 86 could top their well-received 2009 album Picket Fence Cartel, the August release of Wait For the Siren is definitely cause to reconsider.
The album kicks in with the crunchy battlefield anthem "Fall Goliath Fall," a track some fans may recognize from this year's live shows. One of the most distinctive and unique elements is the hammered dulcimer used throughout the song. The clear dulcimer tone nicely balances the gritty guitar riffs and gang vocals. The song is a good introduction to themes present throughout the album, speaking from the voice of an underdog rising up against a greater foe.
Bruce Fitzhugh of Living Sacrifice lends his vocals to "SOTS," a track thick with signature Project 86 growls and distortion. "SOTS" follows thematically from "Fall Goliath Fall," playing on the David and Goliath theme. "Omerta's Sons" features a deep-toned bell as part of the percussion. "Out from your shadow now we are immortal, from bound and broken to invincible," the song declares, forming an anthem for those who choose to stand up against corrupted powers and authorities.
One of the most widely accessible songs on the album is "Off the Grid," offering an incredibly catchy hook that fixes the song in the listener's memory. "New Transmission" introduces a slightly different vibe, drawing on hauntingly poetic lyrics and a restrained, mellow style in the verses. Andrew Schwab's vocals drift through the thick guitars in the chorus: "searching the stars for answers, never to come back down."
"The Crossfire Gambit" hits hard again, drawing on guest vocals by iconic singer and guitarist Brian "Head" Welch. This song is one of the hardest on the album, vocals screamed raw over frantic guitar. "Blood Moon" slows the pace significantly, providing a thoughtful and chilling interlude. Here Andrew Schwab's abilities as a writer are brought to the fore. The eerie tone is set in the first lines of the song: "Starts with a steady rhythm under a violent sky--pounding of a foreign heartbeat preparing to arrive."
"Defector" also carries a slower, aching tone as it expresses a longing for more than what is being offered in this world. "Ghosts of Easter Rising" pulls the pace back up, constructing a sweeping sonic landscape with a Celtic sound supported by uilleann pipes (essentially the Irish version of bagpipes) layered with the strong guitar foundation. This is another battle anthem, drawing on a sense of justice and upholding a legacy of fighters past.
"Above the Desert Sea" is another poetic track lyrically, though the instrumentation and guitar tone is post-hardcore brutality at its finest. The themes of purification and loyalty are equally intense. "Avalantia" features sharp, clean guitar framing the vivid narrative.
Although the album is unusually long at 13 tracks, quality is certainly not sacrificed in any way as the collection draws to a close. "Take the Hill" blends elements of the haunting and eerie with heavy percussion as it calls out a culture teaching deception. The hammered dulcimer makes an appearance again here, adding another dimension to the already dynamic track. Outro track "Wait for the Siren" is the only instrumental selection, closing out the album and fading into static.
Closing Thoughts:
This project is an antidote to apathy. The lyrics are vivid, intense but intelligent, poetic and almost literary in nature. The album is unashamedly heavy and richly layered, but without being complex to the point of proving exhausting for the listener. Everything from the militant percussion to the Celtic-flavored instrument choices and warlike vocals serve as a call to arms for truth seekers in a deceived and broken society. Central Project 86 figure Andrew Schwab has crafted an epic in the true sense of the word, surrounding himself with skilled musicians to breathe life into his opus (in addition to previously listed guests, the album features work by Rocky Gray of Evanescence, Andrew Welch of Disciple, Blake Martin of A Plea For Purging, Cody Driggers of The Wedding, and new Project 86 member Dustin Lowry, previously of The Becoming). This release promises to stand the test of time as a monument in the hardcore field.
Wait For The Siren| Posted September 06, 2012
A lot has changed for Project 86 in the three years since the release of “Picket Fence Cartel.” Guitarist Randy Torres and Bassist Steven Dail have officially exited the band leaving lead vocalist Andrew Schwab the only original member. Shortly after, Project 86 announced their departure from their long-time home Tooth & Nail Records. The band’s eighth endeavor, “Wait For The Siren” marks their first attempt in the independent arena.
Despite all the changes, Project 86 remain true to their sound. It’s evident from track one that aggressive riffs and in-your-face vocals are still the foundation of their music. “SOTS” is arguably the heaviest Project 86 song to date, helped by the deep growls of Living Sacrifice vocalist Bruce Fitzhugh. Other guest appearances are made from musicians of top hard rock and metal bands, including Brian “Head” Welch of Love and Death, Andrew Welch formerly of Disciple, and Rocky Gray formerly of Evanescence to name a few.
Multiple guest appearances is not the only surprise the band has in store on “Wait For The Siren.” From the start of the album with “Fall Goliath Fall” listeners will notice that Project 86 weaved in some non-traditional instruments like the dulcimer. This Celtic inspiration is taken a step further on “Ghosts of Easter Rising” with the addition of a Uilleann pipes.
After the departure of two original members, fans (including myself) may have been apprehensive as to whether the new music would sound like Project 86. “Wait For The Siren” proves that the band is not only still going strong, but also taking the classic Project 86 sound to new heights.
http://www.cmaddict.com/reviews_page.php?review_id=50
Project 86 "Wait for the Siren" review| Posted November 29, 2012
Critically acclaimed Project 86 has produced their stylistically broadest work for their eighth studio release, "Wait for the Siren". The new album is scheduled for release August 21, 2012.
The relatively recent departure of the uber-talented Steve Dail and Randy Torres left vocalist Andrew Schwab on his own. Their roles have been aptly, while perhaps not as capably filled, by newcomers, Scott Davis - drums, Dustin Lowry - guitar and Mikee "Norman" Williams handling bass.
Promotional material for "Wait for the Siren" stated that this "finds the band returning to their roots". This doesn't seem to be referring to their musical roots, but perhaps their ancestral background. This album sounds like no previous P86 album.
A large number of new influences and sounds are brought out on Wait for the Siren. Uilleann pipes and mandolin have been added to the P86 mix providing a Celtic twist to a number of tracks. This is most noticeable on "Fall, Goliath, Fall", "Ghosts of Easter Rising" and the instrumental title track "Wait for the Siren".
Wait for the Siren delivers the broadest range of music ever produced by P86. The softest track ever recorded by the band is the ballad "Blood Moon". It also offers up one of their hardest tracks ever with "SOTS".
"Wait for the Siren" included a plethora of guest talent in the studio. Andrew Welch (Disciple), Blake Martin (A Plea for Purging), Rocky Gray (Evanescence), Cody Driggers (The Wedding), Bruce Fitzhugh (Living Sacrifice) and Brian “Head” Welch (Korn, Love and Death).
When I first heard the 13 track album I had mixed feelings. Initially my thoughts were "this isn't Project 86". After numerous listens my exuberance has grown for the new sounds found on Wait for the Siren. After 16 years producing music, P86 is willing to shake both themselves and their fans up with a vibrant, passionate, and reinvented Project 86.
Score Another One for the Independent Artists| Posted August 22, 2012
Project 86's latest album Wait for the Siren is a rip-roaring good time. It manages to have some tracks that are among some of the most heavy songs they've produced and some that are the lightest. There are incredibly written "fight" songs and incredibly written softer songs. It's lyrically smooth, with most songs talking about specific Bible stories. It's an incredible listen and only gets better with every repeat. Wait for the Siren ends up being one of the best albums of the year.
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