Project 86
In a time when many think of an “album” as nothing more than a couple of singles, and the term “concept album” raises either eyebrows, or vague memories of abstruse 70’s prog, acclaimed metal combo Project 86 follows their 2000 debut Atlantic release, DRAWING BLACK LINES, with the conceptually bold, and unapologetically ambitious TRUTHLESS HEROES.
roduced by Matt Hyde (Slayer, Monster Magnet, Porno for Pyros), and mixed by Sean Beavan (Marilyn Manson, nine inch nails), TRUTHLESS HEROES is a stunning and cohesive, narrative-based, art-rock statement formatted to mimic a one-hour television drama — complete with commercials. The album follows the life of one particular “Truthless Hero” from childhood to post-mortem. Says lead vocalist/lyricist Andrew Schwab, “In no way do we wish to put message or concept above songs. This is definitely an album about music. But what better way to put the music first than to make a record about music as a cultural and social phenomenon. This is not a concept record in the typical concept album 2112 or Tommy Sense, in that the songs do not take a back seat, though the record has several levels of loose narrative as a concept piece. I shudder at even using the term “concept album.” But it has 13 segments, or scenes, and the main premise is the story of this character desperately searching for identity without a point of reference.”
Via such beautiful and intense tracks as “Hollow Again” and “Your Heroes Are Dead,” as well as blistering, in-your-face cuts like “Caught In The Middle,” and “S.M.C.,” TRUTHLESS HEROES carries the tone of a mordant satirical take on contemporary American culture — one which forces listeners to face up to the addictive nature of media and technology. As Schwab explains: “I would call it a modern satire, and I would also call it a tragedy… I guess it seems that America is becoming more of a term to describe a worldview, rather than just a place. Our hero’s travels take him through many of life’s lessons about our social norms, religious systems, and most importantly, what happens on our TV screens. I guess this is our take on the post 9-11 world.”
While taking a long hard look at the world around us, TRUTHLESS HEROES also captures a real sense of the band’s influences on every artistic level. As Schwab notes, the will to create such an ambitious and all-encompassing project calls forth a litany, and a legacy, of influences that are impossible to ignore. He explains:
“Let’s face it, there are only twelve notes a man can play. We’re creating something that is a culmination of the music, writing, etc. that have inspired us… Lyrically, I would mention (writers) Don Delillo, Chris Ware, Antonio Riello, Aldous Huxley, Chris Bachelder, T.S. Eliot, and George Orwell. But, that list is by no means complete.”
As far as musical influences go, the group’s eclecticism shows itself there as well. As Schwab notes, “This album has a bit more of the classic rock influence than our previous efforts: Sabbath, The Who, and early Zeppelin have crept in… remnants of the 80’s here and there, like Morrissey and The Cure. This is in addition to other influences ranging from Rocket From The Crypt, The English Beat, Misfits, Quicksand, and Sick of It All.”
This is not to say that the band is a sum-total of anything listeners have heard or seen before. There’s nothing formulaic about their approach. For Project 86, the goal is about finding the “concept” of going forward, and giving their audience something to think about:
“There is pleasure and pain and progress. This is true for human beings when they relate to art especially. So, we don’t give people who buy our music some mass-produced product. We want to challenge our listeners, rather than just spoon-feeding them,” Schwab explains. “Ninety-nine percent of the music that you hear on the radio or see on TV today does not do this.”
“We have a common bond in music. Our agenda is simply: ‘do whatever is necessary to encourage people to think for themselves, and to get back to the essence of music as it was many years ago — a voice for those who feel they don’t have one.’ People who may not relate to some spiritual aspect of the band can hopefully relate to the humanity that comes through in our songs. That’s pretty universal.” |
