18.61
Encyclopedia
18.61 is the fifth studio album by American hardcore punk
band 108
. It is also the second studio album released after reforming in 2005; the first of which being 2007's A New Beat from a Dead Heart. The album was the first to be recorded with drummer Michael Justian, formerly of Trap Them
and Unearth
. 18.61 was released on April 13, 2010 through Deathwish Inc.
.
, in February 2009 originally intending to record a four-song EP
. The band stated, "Our desire was to record a raw and stripped down record, and once we hit the studio, things developed so quickly that it was clear that recording just an EP was out of the question." 18.61 was mixed by Kurt Ballou
of Converge
at his own GodCity studio.
18.61 is the final album released by 108 with lead singer Robert Fish. In March 2010, before the official release of 18.61, Fish announced his departure citing that he was "struggling to find my place within 108 due to the personal evolution I have gone through." After the departure of Fish, the remaining members of 108 discussed the possibilities of ending the band and breaking up. However, in April 2010, the band announced that 108 would continue without Robert Fish. While the band has no intention of replacing their former lead singer, 108 will still tour in support of 18.61 and continue writing new music. Commenting on the departure of Fish, guitarist Vic DiCara
stated, "Robert's contribution to the band was so vast and touched so many aspects of 108, that we fully realize [we] can not 'replace' him. We don't plan to try. Instead, we will do something very different from what we did as a band with him."
The theme of 18.61 continues with 108's strong interest in Hare Krishna
. The title of the album references the 61st couplet of the 18th chapter of the sacred Hindu
scripture, the Bhagavad Gita
. The passage translates in English to "The controller of all lies at the heart of the machine, and connects its wires to the living being who is under its spell."
Production and artwork
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
band 108
108 (band)
108 is an American hardcore band founded in 1991. Their music reflected the Hare Krishna faith of its members. Their name comes from the number of beads on the Japa mala, or mantra counting beads.- History :...
. It is also the second studio album released after reforming in 2005; the first of which being 2007's A New Beat from a Dead Heart. The album was the first to be recorded with drummer Michael Justian, formerly of Trap Them
Trap Them
- Description :Trap Them's influences include hardcore punk bands, such as Black Flag, Born Against, and Tragedy; metal bands like Dismember and Entombed , and experimental bands like Swans...
and Unearth
Unearth
Unearth is an American metalcore band from Winthrop, Massachusetts. Formed in 1998, the group has released five studio albums. Their fourth record, The March was released on October 14, 2008 meeting with high positive reception by many...
. 18.61 was released on April 13, 2010 through Deathwish Inc.
Deathwish Inc.
Deathwish, Inc. is a independent record label founded by Jacob Bannon and Tre McCarthy. The label was originally used to release early albums by Bannon's own band Converge starting in late 1991. It wasn't until late 1999 that McCarthy and Bannon discussed turning Deathwish into a full-fledged label...
.
Background
The band entered the studio to record 18.61 with Alex Garcia-Rivera, formerly of Give Up the GhostGive Up the Ghost
Give Up the Ghost was a hardcore punk band from Boston, Massachusetts.-History:Give Up the Ghost was formed when Tim Cossar and Wesley Eisold met up with Azy Relph and Jesse Van Diest in 1998...
, in February 2009 originally intending to record a four-song EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
. The band stated, "Our desire was to record a raw and stripped down record, and once we hit the studio, things developed so quickly that it was clear that recording just an EP was out of the question." 18.61 was mixed by Kurt Ballou
Kurt Ballou
Kurt Ballou is the guitarist from Massachusetts-based band Converge. Aside from his role in Converge, he is a prolific producer, engineering and producing out of his own Godcity studio.- GodCity studio :...
of Converge
Converge (band)
Converge is an American band from Salem, Massachusetts. Playing a blend of hardcore punk and metal since 1990, Converge has helped to define many of the elements of the metalcore genre.-Description:...
at his own GodCity studio.
18.61 is the final album released by 108 with lead singer Robert Fish. In March 2010, before the official release of 18.61, Fish announced his departure citing that he was "struggling to find my place within 108 due to the personal evolution I have gone through." After the departure of Fish, the remaining members of 108 discussed the possibilities of ending the band and breaking up. However, in April 2010, the band announced that 108 would continue without Robert Fish. While the band has no intention of replacing their former lead singer, 108 will still tour in support of 18.61 and continue writing new music. Commenting on the departure of Fish, guitarist Vic DiCara
Vic DiCara
Vic DiCara is a hardcore punk guitarist, vocalist and bassist. He played in Beyond, Inside Out, Shelter, Burn, and later the Hare Krishna band 108. As part of the band 108, DiCara was instrumental in recording three albums considered influential in the hardcore punk scene of the 1990s. DiCara is...
stated, "Robert's contribution to the band was so vast and touched so many aspects of 108, that we fully realize [we] can not 'replace' him. We don't plan to try. Instead, we will do something very different from what we did as a band with him."
The theme of 18.61 continues with 108's strong interest in Hare Krishna
International Society for Krishna Consciousness
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness , known colloquially as the Hare Krishna movement, is a Gaudiya Vaishnava religious organization. It was founded in 1966 in New York City by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada...
. The title of the album references the 61st couplet of the 18th chapter of the sacred Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
scripture, the Bhagavad Gita
Bhagavad Gita
The ' , also more simply known as Gita, is a 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the ancient Sanskrit epic, the Mahabharata, but is frequently treated as a freestanding text, and in particular, as an Upanishad in its own right, one of the several books that constitute general Vedic tradition...
. The passage translates in English to "The controller of all lies at the heart of the machine, and connects its wires to the living being who is under its spell."
Reception
Track listing
- "God Talk" – 1:04
- "Crescent Moon" – 1:28
- "18.61" – 2:22
- "Reduced" – 2:20
- "Relentless Masters" – 2:20
- "Fallen Angel" – 1:47
- "Mannequins" – 2:00
- "Ashes/Dust" – 2:11
- "Forever is Destroyed" – 2:49
- "Early Funeral" – 5:10
Personnel
108- Tim Cohen – bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Vic DiCaraVic DiCaraVic DiCara is a hardcore punk guitarist, vocalist and bassist. He played in Beyond, Inside Out, Shelter, Burn, and later the Hare Krishna band 108. As part of the band 108, DiCara was instrumental in recording three albums considered influential in the hardcore punk scene of the 1990s. DiCara is...
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, vocals - Robert Fish – vocals
- Michael Justian – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Production and artwork
- Alex Garcia-Rivera – producerRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
- Kurt BallouKurt BallouKurt Ballou is the guitarist from Massachusetts-based band Converge. Aside from his role in Converge, he is a prolific producer, engineering and producing out of his own Godcity studio.- GodCity studio :...
– mixingAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may... - Carl Saff – masteringAudio masteringMastering, a form of audio post-production, is the process of preparing and transferring recorded audio from a source containing the final mix to a data storage device ; the source from which all copies will be produced...
- 108 – art design