Digital Veil
Encyclopedia
Digital Veil is the third studio album by American heavy metal band The Human Abstract
. The album was released on March 8, 2011 through E1 Music. Digital Veil marks the return of founding guitarist A.J. Minette, who left in 2007, and the introduction of the new lead vocalist Travis Richter, who replaced former vocalist Nathan Ells. The first single off the album, titled "Faust," was released digitally on November 16, 2010.
and 2008's Midheaven
. Due to conflicting statements from the band and Ells, there was some debate on whether the singer quit or was fired. After his departure, the group held open auditions for a new singer. In April 2010, The Human Abstract announced that Travis Richter
of The Color of Violence
, and formerly of From First to Last
, would replace Ells on vocals. Guitarist Andrew Tapley personally called Richter and asked him to try out by first recording his vocals for "Vela Together We Await the Storm" and then a demo song from Digital Veil. Richter knew the band through previously touring in From First to Last with The Human Abstract on Warped Tour
and the Take Action Tour
.
The band also reunited with their founding guitarist and primary songwriter A.J. Minette. Minette left the band after the touring cycle for Nocturne and continued his education in classical music
, and was also trying to avoid being "pigeonholed as a metal guitarist." According to bassist Henry Selva, Minette also brought back a level of discipline to the band that was absent during the Midheaven sessions.
."
Travis Richter officially began writing for Digital Veil after formally joining the band and flying to Los Angeles
, California
on February 1, 2010. While he still retains his more aggressive vocal stylings from his previous projects, Richter also showcases his singing on the album. In his youth he grew up singing in a choir for a southern Baptist church. The Human Abstract's music was far more technical and complex than anything from Richter's background, which resulted in some initial acclimation and adjustments for this new setting. The lyrics written for Digital Veil discuss "ideas about identity, personal transformation and purpose."
The band entered The Machine Shop studio with producer William Putney on July 1, 2010. During production, Putney suffered a serious head injury requiring 57 staples to close the wound. Shortly after leaving the studio to buy cigarettes, he called Dean Herrera and said, "My head's bleeding, can you bring some paper towels." Putney was found at the bottom of some stairs just outside the studio in a puddle of blood, and was quickly rushed to the hospital. During his absence, Herrera filled in as a temporary producer. However, William Putney returned to the studio just two days after the incident. Commenting on the producer's quick recovery, A.J. Minette stated, "Most normal men would have been sidelined for a while, but Will has a work ethic and dedication to his job that separates him from the rest."
, The Human Abstract's label since their debut album Nocturne in 2006. Through Hopeless Records, the band released the promotional single "Faust" from Digital Veil on November 16, 2010, and an early 2011 release date was anticipated for the record. However, on January 10, The Human Abstract announced that they had signed to E1 Music and the album would be released on March 8, 2011. On signing to a major label, Henry Selva commented that they expected E1 to "help push the band a step forward into a productive and exciting future."
Prior to the release of Digital Veil, The Human Abstract previewed an additional two songs online after the release of "Faust" and the announcement of signing to E1. The song "Patterns" was available on January 18, and "Complex Terms" was available on February 15. A Scott Hansen directed promotional music video for the title track "Digital Veil" was also released in February 2011. Hansen also directed the video for "Patterns," which was released on April 13.
School of Music
. However, he later decided to take a year off from school to free up his schedule specifically for touring in support of the record. A few weeks before the band left on tour, The Human Abstract decided to part ways with guitarist Andrew Tapley. The first tour The Human Abstract embarked on in promotion of Digital Veil was the Atticus Metal Tour III sponsored by Atticus Clothing
. The tour lasted February–March 2011 with Darkest Hour, Born of Osiris
and As Blood Runs Black. The Human Abstract's first scheduled headlining tour in support of Digital Veil was the "Pull Me from the Gallows Tour" which was supposed to run May–June 2011 across the United States. The opening acts for this leg were: Scale the Summit
, This or the Apocalypse, Letlive
, No Bragging Rights and Across the Sun. However, midway into the tour The Human Abstract pulled out of the tour due to a sudden death in the family.
Shortly before embarking on the "Frak the Gods" tour in September 2011 with Periphery
, Textures
and The Contortionist, vocalist Travis Richter abruptly quit the band. The Human Abstract quickly replaced him with Ryan Devlin of the progressive metal band Corelia as a temporary touring member.
chart at number 177. The album also ranked at number 5 on the US Top Heatseekers
chart. These figures are slightly lower than those for The Human Abstract's previous album, Midheaven, which sold around 4,100 copies and ranked at number 163 on the Billboard 200.
The Human Abstract
The Human Abstract is an American progressive metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 2004, the group was originally signed to the independent label Hopeless Records, the band then released the two albums Nocturne and Midheaven before signing to E1 Music and releasing Digital Veil...
. The album was released on March 8, 2011 through E1 Music. Digital Veil marks the return of founding guitarist A.J. Minette, who left in 2007, and the introduction of the new lead vocalist Travis Richter, who replaced former vocalist Nathan Ells. The first single off the album, titled "Faust," was released digitally on November 16, 2010.
Background
Prior to working on Digital Veil, The Human Abstract went through a few line-up changes. In November 2009, the band announced that they had parted ways with vocalist Nathan Ells who sang on 2006's NocturneNocturne (The Human Abstract album)
Nocturne is the debut album by American metal band The Human Abstract. It was recorded at The Basement in Rural Hall, North Carolina and Trax East in South River, New Jersey...
and 2008's Midheaven
Midheaven (album)
Midheaven is The Human Abstract's second full-length release on Hopeless Records. It was released on August 19, 2008. The album was originally recorded with producer Toby Wright, however the band has "wiped off all credits" of his effort. The record was later re-worked and finished by Leonard...
. Due to conflicting statements from the band and Ells, there was some debate on whether the singer quit or was fired. After his departure, the group held open auditions for a new singer. In April 2010, The Human Abstract announced that Travis Richter
Travis Richter
Travis Brandon Richter is an American musician, music producer, dubstep producer and vocalist. He is known for being the original screamer and guitarist of From First to Last, and the current guitarist and lead vocalist of The Color of Violence and the former lead vocalist for The Human Abstract...
of The Color of Violence
The Color of Violence
The Color of Violence is an American experimental side project of the post-hardcore band From First to Last. It features From First to Last's drummer Derek Bloom and former guitarist/backup vocalist Travis Richter. The Color of Violence is a way for the members to experiment and have fun with music...
, and formerly of From First to Last
From First to Last
From First to Last was an American rock band based out of Los Angeles, originally hailing from Valdosta, Georgia and Tampa, Florida. The band released their first EP titled Aesthetic in 2003 with vocalist Phillip Reardon, followed by Dear Diary, My Teen Angst Has a Body Count in 2004 and Heroine in...
, would replace Ells on vocals. Guitarist Andrew Tapley personally called Richter and asked him to try out by first recording his vocals for "Vela Together We Await the Storm" and then a demo song from Digital Veil. Richter knew the band through previously touring in From First to Last with The Human Abstract on Warped Tour
Warped Tour
The Warped Tour is a touring music and extreme sports festival. The tour is held in venues such as parking lots or fields upon which the stages and other structures are erected. The BMX/skateboarding shoe manufacturer Vans, among others, has sponsored the tour every year since 1995, and it is...
and the Take Action Tour
Take Action Tour
The Take Action Tour is an annual spring tour that not only hosts several bands, but also tries to get people alerted about the issues with teen suicide, and ultimately tries to prevent it. The tour was created by both Sub City and Hopeless Records...
.
The band also reunited with their founding guitarist and primary songwriter A.J. Minette. Minette left the band after the touring cycle for Nocturne and continued his education in classical music
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
, and was also trying to avoid being "pigeonholed as a metal guitarist." According to bassist Henry Selva, Minette also brought back a level of discipline to the band that was absent during the Midheaven sessions.
Writing and recording
The Human Abstract took time away from their touring schedule in June 2009 to being writing their third studio album. While writing was underway, drummer Brett Powell contacted A.J. Minette and asked him if he wanted to return as a producer for the material they had been working on. After accepting the request and assuming the role of producer, he began having an increasing input on writing until "eventually it just became an album." The schooling that Minette received during his time spent outside of The Human Abstract had a strong impact on his writing for Digital Veil. Minette said that, "It has been exciting to write metal music again. We all want to make something that we can believe in, so we all have been digging deeper to become better musicians and composers. I wanted to take my classical studies and apply them to metal, but I did not want it to turn out sounding like power metalPower metal
Power metal is a style of heavy metal combining characteristics of traditional metal with speed metal, often within symphonic context. The term refers to two different but related styles: the first pioneered and largely practiced in North America with a harder sound similar to speed metal, and a...
."
Travis Richter officially began writing for Digital Veil after formally joining the band and flying to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
on February 1, 2010. While he still retains his more aggressive vocal stylings from his previous projects, Richter also showcases his singing on the album. In his youth he grew up singing in a choir for a southern Baptist church. The Human Abstract's music was far more technical and complex than anything from Richter's background, which resulted in some initial acclimation and adjustments for this new setting. The lyrics written for Digital Veil discuss "ideas about identity, personal transformation and purpose."
The band entered The Machine Shop studio with producer William Putney on July 1, 2010. During production, Putney suffered a serious head injury requiring 57 staples to close the wound. Shortly after leaving the studio to buy cigarettes, he called Dean Herrera and said, "My head's bleeding, can you bring some paper towels." Putney was found at the bottom of some stairs just outside the studio in a puddle of blood, and was quickly rushed to the hospital. During his absence, Herrera filled in as a temporary producer. However, William Putney returned to the studio just two days after the incident. Commenting on the producer's quick recovery, A.J. Minette stated, "Most normal men would have been sidelined for a while, but Will has a work ethic and dedication to his job that separates him from the rest."
Release and promotion
Promotion and marketing for Digital Veil was originally being handled by Hopeless RecordsHopeless Records
Hopeless Records is an independent record label located in Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California. The label was started in 1993 by Louis Posen and financed by a group of private investors. Hopeless's artists are generally considered punk rock, pop punk, post-hardcore, or alternative rock, but some...
, The Human Abstract's label since their debut album Nocturne in 2006. Through Hopeless Records, the band released the promotional single "Faust" from Digital Veil on November 16, 2010, and an early 2011 release date was anticipated for the record. However, on January 10, The Human Abstract announced that they had signed to E1 Music and the album would be released on March 8, 2011. On signing to a major label, Henry Selva commented that they expected E1 to "help push the band a step forward into a productive and exciting future."
Prior to the release of Digital Veil, The Human Abstract previewed an additional two songs online after the release of "Faust" and the announcement of signing to E1. The song "Patterns" was available on January 18, and "Complex Terms" was available on February 15. A Scott Hansen directed promotional music video for the title track "Digital Veil" was also released in February 2011. Hansen also directed the video for "Patterns," which was released on April 13.
Touring
When guitarist A.J. Minette rejoined the band in 2009, it was uncertain if he would be able to tour with The Human Abstract in support of Digital Veil due to his prior commitment of working toward his master's degree at the University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
School of Music
USC Thornton School of Music
The University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, founded in 1884 and dedicated in 1999, is one of the premier music schools in the United States...
. However, he later decided to take a year off from school to free up his schedule specifically for touring in support of the record. A few weeks before the band left on tour, The Human Abstract decided to part ways with guitarist Andrew Tapley. The first tour The Human Abstract embarked on in promotion of Digital Veil was the Atticus Metal Tour III sponsored by Atticus Clothing
Atticus Clothing
Atticus is a brand of clothing founded in 2001 by Mark Hoppus and Tom DeLonge of Blink-182, and their childhood friend Dylan Anderson.- Name :...
. The tour lasted February–March 2011 with Darkest Hour, Born of Osiris
Born of Osiris
Born of Osiris is an American progressive death metal band from Palatine, Illinois. Formed in 2003, the group has undergone a number of name changes including Your Heart Engraved, DiminisheD, and Rosecrance before finally settling with Born of Osiris in 2007, basing the name off the Egyptian deity...
and As Blood Runs Black. The Human Abstract's first scheduled headlining tour in support of Digital Veil was the "Pull Me from the Gallows Tour" which was supposed to run May–June 2011 across the United States. The opening acts for this leg were: Scale the Summit
Scale the Summit
Scale the Summit is an American instrumental metal band based out of Houston, Texas. It formed in 2004 and signed to Prosthetic Records.The band draws influences from other progressive acts such as Cynic and Dream Theater. However, unlike most other progressive metal bands, they have no vocalist...
, This or the Apocalypse, Letlive
Letlive
letlive. is an American Progressive post-hardcore band from Los Angeles, California. The band has released three albums and is currently signed to Epitaph Records. Their third album, Fake History, has been called "a post-hardcore album fit for many of 2010's best-of lists" and representing "their...
, No Bragging Rights and Across the Sun. However, midway into the tour The Human Abstract pulled out of the tour due to a sudden death in the family.
Shortly before embarking on the "Frak the Gods" tour in September 2011 with Periphery
Periphery (band)
Periphery is an American metal band from Bethesda, Maryland , formed in 2005.- Formation and lineup changes :Periphery was formed by guitarist Misha Mansoor in 2005...
, Textures
Textures (band)
Textures is a metal band from the Netherlands, formed in 2001. Textures' lineup revolves around founding members Jochem Jacobs, Stef Broks, Bart Hennephof, and bassist Remko Tielemans who joined in 2007...
and The Contortionist, vocalist Travis Richter abruptly quit the band. The Human Abstract quickly replaced him with Ryan Devlin of the progressive metal band Corelia as a temporary touring member.
Reception
Charts and sales
In its debut week, Digital Veil sold approximately 3,200 copies in the United States allowing it to enter the Billboard 200Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
chart at number 177. The album also ranked at number 5 on the US Top Heatseekers
Top Heatseekers
Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical...
chart. These figures are slightly lower than those for The Human Abstract's previous album, Midheaven, which sold around 4,100 copies and ranked at number 163 on the Billboard 200.
Track listing
- "Elegiac" – 2:11
- "Complex Terms" – 5:10
- "Digital Veil" – 3:30
- "Faust" – 5:56
- "Antebellum" – 7:29
- "Holographic Sight" – 4:28
- "Horizon to Zenith" – 4:19
- "Patterns" – 3:43
Personnel
The Human Abstract- Dean Herrera – 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...
- A.J. Minette – guitar
- Brett Powell – drum kitDrum 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 ....
- Travis RichterTravis RichterTravis Brandon Richter is an American musician, music producer, dubstep producer and vocalist. He is known for being the original screamer and guitarist of From First to Last, and the current guitarist and lead vocalist of The Color of Violence and the former lead vocalist for The Human Abstract...
– vocals - Henry Selva – bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Andrew Tapley – guitar
External links
- Digital Veil stream at MyspaceMyspaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- Digital Veil track-by-track breakdown by A.J. Minette at Alternative Press