Art by Christopher McKenney
Listen Now via Ultimate-Guitar.com
Of Two Minds, Stages 1-2: The Ape and The Cage out this Friday, June 30, 2017
Pre-Order via Bandcamp
Produced by Backroom Studios Owner & Dillinger Escape Plan Guitarist Kevin Antreassian
Experimental prog-rock/metal group IN THE PRESENCE OF WOLVES will release their new EP, Of Two Minds, Stages 1-2: The Ape and The Cage, this Friday, June 30, 2017. Get your copy now via Bandcamp!
In anticipation of this week’s EP release, ITPOW have revealed another intricately-performed track, entitled “White Noise”. You can listen to the track now via Ultimate-Guitar.com: https://www.ultimate-guitar.
Of Two Minds, Stages 1-2: The Ape and The Cage is a two-in-one part EP in an eventual multi-release story that explores the five stages of grief. The EP tells the story of twin brothers, one with paranoid schizophrenia and one without. The sane brother deals with the first two stages of grief as he investigates the reasons behind his twin taking his own life.
Vocalist/bassist Vini Stamato explains that “White Noise” is one of the more important tracks in relation to the concept of Of Two Minds…:“Conceptually, this is the last track that represents our main character’s denial stage of grief and in reality, this marks a major change in the ITPOW song writing style. When we started writing this album, we knew that we wanted to focus more on the song writing aspect of our music and not just how many technical curveballs we could throw at our listeners. This track was delicate from the beginning. Opening the track with a common time signature allowed us to focus more on melody but it also presented us with more of a challenge in regards to selecting the perfect melody for the song itself. Writing the non-instrumental passages for this track was like walking on egg shells.
Fortunately, the majority of the song came together when I was home sick from work for a few days. In those few days, most of the vocal melodies were finalized and also the majority of the middle instrumental section was constructed. One of the parts that we had the most fun writing for this track was the outro. That was pretty much a straight, solid hour of Chris and I hashing out the entire section step by step and seeing what pieces fit where. We were extremely surprised to find how well this section translates live. When we get to this part in our set, the entire room goes silent as we play. We were floored the first time this happened. I remember thinking to myself, ‘oh wow. I think we created a moment’.”
IN THE PRESENCE OF WOLVES are undoubtedly a band to watch in 2017. Tight live and recorded performances plus mind-boggling technical precision describe only the tip of the iceberg. Their addictive blend of classic progressive rock, modern prog-metal, experimental, post-hardcore and jazz rock influences leaves the listener wanting more, and Of Two Minds, Stages 1-2: The Ape and The Cage quenches that thirst.
At the helm on Of Two Minds, Stages 1-2: The Ape and The Cage was producer Kevin Antreassian of Backroom Studios, otherwise recognized as guitarist for kings of metallic chaos, Dillinger Escape Plan. The album was mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music.
More videos from IN THE PRESENCE OF WOLVES:
First single, “The One Who Fell to Earth”: https://youtu.be/bh6rdnmQVc8
Guitar playthrough of “The One Who Fell to Earth”: https://youtu.be/iXl7LDqmnWQ
Gear Gods “Rigged” with ITPOW: https://youtu.be/vmt8O-smlf0
Of Two Minds, Stages 1-2: The Ape and The Cage Track Listing:
1) As We Speak Pt. 1
2) The One Who Fell to Earth
3) White Noise
4) The Ape and the Cage
5) M.U.A. (Manipulation Under Anesthesia)
IN THE PRESENCE OF WOLVES online:
IN THE PRESENCE OF WOLVES is:
Chris Capitanio – Lead Guitar
Jim Ellis – Rhythm Guitar
Mason Ingling – Drums
Vini Stamato – Bass, Vocals
