Truth Decay (Hypnogaja)
Encyclopedia
Truth Decay is the fifth studio album from the American alternative rock band, Hypnogaja
. Released June 30, 2009 on Los Angeles-based independent label, Union State Records, it is the band's first concept album
and contains thirteen songs, including "Welcome to the Future" and "Cellar Door," which feature cellist Richard Dodd of The Section Quartet (Decca/Universal).
that the album's music is influenced by rock music of the 70s and 80s - bands like Queen
and Blondie
- and that the futuristic sound and themes were inspired by the band's fondness for science-fiction.
Truth Decay was written by vocalist Jason "ShyBoy" Arnold, Donikian, guitarist Jean-Yves "Jeeve" Ducornet and John Scott Mulchaey, the band's executive producer and longtime collaborator.
In September 2009, Hypnogaja performed at the first annual 140tc (Twitter Conference) at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles and keyboardist Donikian served as one of the speakers during the conference's music panel, which also included Chamillionaire, Curt Smith of Tears for Fears and numerous others.
, 30 Days of Night: Blood Trails
) and Marius A. Markevicius (The Last Supper, starring Eliza Dushku); "Things Will Never Be The Same,“ a fan-made clip that features Barack Obama's
election speech, Yes We Can
; "Dark Star," directed by Chil Kong and featuring Slimkid3
of The Pharcyde
and dancers from America's Best Dance Crew
, including choreographer Yuri Tag of Kabba Modern, Cindy Minowa of Kabba Modern and Geo Lee of Instant Noodles; and "Welcome To The Future," directed by Graham Baclagon.
's worldwide hit On The Radio
(which served as the b-side to the "Welcome To The Future" digital single.
Hypnogaja
Hypnogaja is an American rock band from Los Angeles, CA. The group is composed of vocalist Jason "ShyBoy" Arnold, keyboardist Mark Nubar Donikian, drummer Adrian Barnardo and guitarists Bryan Farrar and Abe Parker.-Formation:...
. Released June 30, 2009 on Los Angeles-based independent label, Union State Records, it is the band's first concept album
Concept album
In music, a concept album is an album that is "unified by a theme, which can be instrumental, compositional, narrative, or lyrical." Commonly, concept albums tend to incorporate preconceived musical or lyrical ideas rather than being improvised or composed in the studio, with all songs contributing...
and contains thirteen songs, including "Welcome to the Future" and "Cellar Door," which feature cellist Richard Dodd of The Section Quartet (Decca/Universal).
Concept and Description
Truth Decay is a science fiction-tinged concept album in which all of the songs revolve around the central story of a world's dramatic, apocalyptic end - and how life cycles into new chapters. Hypnogaja blogged extensively about the album's concept in the form of letters between characters, fictitious press releases from the album's futuristic world and illustrations/images outlining the story arc. Hypnogaja's keyboardist, Mark Nubar Donikian, said in an interview with AOL NoisecreepNoisecreep
Noisecreep is a hard rock and heavy metal music news and media website based in the United States. The site was created by AOL Music in March 2009....
that the album's music is influenced by rock music of the 70s and 80s - bands like Queen
Queen (band)
Queen are a British rock band formed in London in 1971, originally consisting of Freddie Mercury , Brian May , John Deacon , and Roger Taylor...
and Blondie
Blondie (band)
Blondie is an American rock band, founded by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American New Wave and punk scenes of the mid-1970s...
- and that the futuristic sound and themes were inspired by the band's fondness for science-fiction.
Truth Decay was written by vocalist Jason "ShyBoy" Arnold, Donikian, guitarist Jean-Yves "Jeeve" Ducornet and John Scott Mulchaey, the band's executive producer and longtime collaborator.
Promotion and Marketing
Several months before Truth Decays release, Hypnogaja launched a promotion campaign called 13 Weeks of Free Music during which they released a new song to fans weekly, along with accompanying blogs that unveiled the overall concept of the album. The band also produced a :30 album teaser trailer featuring scenes from “The March“ video, synced to the track “Dark Star: End Transmission.“ The day after its release, Hypnogaja fans posted the Truth Decay album for free download on numerous file-sharing, torrent sites and music blogs around the world.In September 2009, Hypnogaja performed at the first annual 140tc (Twitter Conference) at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles and keyboardist Donikian served as one of the speakers during the conference's music panel, which also included Chamillionaire, Curt Smith of Tears for Fears and numerous others.
Cover Design and Illustration
The album cover art was illustrated by Kevin Grimm. The various paintings illustrate the album's concept, telling the story of one world's end - and the dawn of a new one.Singles/EPs
Three singles/EPs - "The March," "Apocalyptic Love Song" and "Worship Me (I'm On TV)" - were released before the album launch. Each one contains bonus materials (i.e. unreleased b-sides, acoustic versions, extended versions).Videos
The band has released four music videos from the album: “The March,“ directed by Nelson Cragg (CSICSI: Crime Scene Investigation
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation is an American crime drama television series, which premiered on CBS on October 6, 2000. The show was created by Anthony E. Zuiker and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer...
, 30 Days of Night: Blood Trails
30 Days of Night: Blood Trails
30 Days of Night: Blood Trails is a 7-part miniseries that was released on FEARnet.com and FEARnet On Demand that acts as a prequel to the films 30 Days of Night and 30 Days of Night: Dark Days...
) and Marius A. Markevicius (The Last Supper, starring Eliza Dushku); "Things Will Never Be The Same,“ a fan-made clip that features Barack Obama's
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
election speech, Yes We Can
Barack Obama presidential campaign, 2008
Barack Obama, then junior United States Senator from Illinois, announced his candidacy for the presidency of the United States in Springfield, Illinois, on February 10, 2007. On August 27, 2008, he was declared nominee of the Democratic Party for the 2008 presidential election...
; "Dark Star," directed by Chil Kong and featuring Slimkid3
Slimkid3
SLIMKID3 also known as "Slim Kid Tre" and "Tre Hardson", was one of the four original members of Los Angeles innovative hip hop group The Pharcyde.-Two For Two:...
of The Pharcyde
The Pharcyde
The Pharcyde are an alternative hip hop group based in South Central Los Angeles. The original four members of the group are Imani , Slimkid3 , Bootie Brown and Fatlip . DJ Mark Luv was the group's first DJ, followed by producer J-Swift and then J Dilla...
and dancers from America's Best Dance Crew
America's Best Dance Crew
America's Best Dance Crew, often abbreviated as ABDC, is an American competitive dance reality television series that features street dance crews from the United States and around the world. It is produced by American Idol judge Randy Jackson and airs on MTV...
, including choreographer Yuri Tag of Kabba Modern, Cindy Minowa of Kabba Modern and Geo Lee of Instant Noodles; and "Welcome To The Future," directed by Graham Baclagon.
Tracklist
- "Dark Star" (4:37)
- "The March" (3:54)
- "Apocalyptic Love Song" (4:52)
- "Worship Me (I'm On TV)" (3:27)
- "Welcome To The Future" (4:04)
- "Things Will Never Be The Same" (4:07)
- "Kill The Humans" (4:00)
- "Static" (4:01)
- "Lucy" (4:18)
- "Never Coming Back" (3:57)
- "Last Man On Earth" (4:47)
- "Rusty Moon" (4:25)
- "Dark Star: End Transmission" (1:15)
- "Cellar Door" (4:16)
Reviews
Truth Decay was released to numerous positive reviews, including a 9 out of 10 star rating from Outburn Magazine, which noted it as an "expertly crafted album." Many publications noted the album's concept and rock opera-like structure. Karen Bliss of AOL's Noisecreep.com wrote, "The 14-track recording (Truth Decay) centers on the world's dramatic, apocalyptic end and how life cycles into new chapters, sometimes with sudden force.'" Campus Circle cited it as "a high concept recording with a story arc about star-crossed lovers in a futuristic world where apocalypse and rebirth are looming." Erica Ramon of Hits Daily Double wrote, "ONE TO WATCH - a multifaceted band out of Hollywood that is quickly gaining steam."Awards
Hypnogaja won the award for Best Alternative Recording Artist at the 2009 Hollywood Music in Media Awards. The band performed "Welcome To The Future" at the awards ceremony. The 2010 Hollywood Music in Media Awards awarded ShyBoy Best Male Vocal for Hypnogaja's remake of Donna SummerDonna Summer
LaDonna Adrian Gaines , known by her stage name, Donna Summer, is an American singer/songwriter who gained prominence during the disco era of the 1970s. She has a mezzo-soprano vocal range. Summer is a five-time Grammy winner and was the first artist to have three consecutive double albums reach...
's worldwide hit On The Radio
On the Radio
"On the Radio" is a song by Swedish band The Concretes from their second album In Colour. It was released as the second single from that album in the United Kingdom on June 12, 2006.-Track listings:*7" white vinyl single LFS7021...
(which served as the b-side to the "Welcome To The Future" digital single.