A Killers Confession released The Indifference of Good Men, their sophomore album On October 18th of this year. If you have not heard them, this Cleveland band, formed in 2016, has a hard rocking/metal/alternative sound. This record was recorded under their new label WakeUp! Music Group. After their contract term ended with EMP Group, and while the band searched for a new label, they self-released their next three singles (“Angel On The Outside,” “I Wish” and “Reanimated”) all to critical and commercial acclaim, racking up over 2 million cumulative streams on Spotify! The band’s first record Unbroken is, in my opinion a little heavier than this latest offering. TIOGM fluctuates from thrashing, hard and heavy to more of a sweet, crystal clear melodic sound. What I also notice immediately is the way in which front man, and former Mushroomhead vocalist Waylon Reavis” transforms his voice. His range is unbelievable, and it is a treat to listen to how he blends them together so masterfully. I was most taken by the way he achieves this in the song “It’s Not Too Late.” This is a catchy tune; in fact, I found most of the songs to be quite catchy. When I hear a song, and am hooked right away, it is the arm that pulls me into the music deeper, and I found myself excitedly looking forward to every next song.
The song” Numb” is the first official single to be released from the album, and it has all the makings of a hit. It is one of the slower songs, it’s content full of heart and meaning, and you can really hear all of the instruments with clarity. Especially Reavis, as he channels his best Maynard (read interview below to find out why!), while simultaneously keeping his own originality. The product is a delicious and gripping vocal, which is the icing atop this already perfectly baked musical treat.
The “Shore” is a wonderfully passionate song, and Reavis’ favorite song on the album. This song reminded me of the band A Perfect Circle, sort of moody, with the same tone. The chorus is, you guessed it…catchy! I found myself walking around my house singing and humming many of these songs.
Another song that stood out to me was “Angel On The Outside.” I just thought it was a great song, seemingly a little more mainstream than some of the others. This song needs radio play, STAT!! And my personal favorite of the heavier metal sounding tunes is a song called “Satisfied.” I loved the hard driving beat of this song, it made me want to throw my horns in the air and bang my head a bit.
Overall I really dug this album, it is a collection of fine art. Written, performed, and produced all with a quality that you can hear right away. I can’t wait until they tour, I will be first in line for tickets!
A BackStage360 Interview with Waylon Reavis:
1) The Album is called The Indifference of Good Men. Can you give a little background on how the name was chosen and why?
A: I’m a huge fan of the movie the Boondock Saints. The title came from the opening scene of the first movie where the priest is speaking at mass. He tells everyone that we should all fear evil men but there’s one Evil that we should fear most and that is the indifference of good men. That line always stuck with me and I loved the meaning behind it so that’s where the album title came from.
2) This record has a very different sound than the first. Was it intentional to head toward a separate sound, or did it just come about organically through the bands’ evolution and growth?
A: I feel like the band just progressed with it sound. It wasn’t intentional it just happened and flowed organically. This album wasn’t rushed like unbroken was. We have the time to sit back listen and make the songs feel the way they should. Nothing was rushed and everything was handled with care.
3) How did the band get their start?
A: The band was form in 2016 with myself and Matthew Trumpy. We found each other on the Internet and created the first song A Killer’s Confession and lucky enough had Brian Welch from corn guest on it. The band is went through member changes since then but we are all still friends and talk and write music together.
4) Your vocal range is incredible. Who were some of your influences?
A: I would have to say my biggest influence would be Maynard James Keenan. I can sit back and listen to him saying anything and be inspired. I also find inspiration with people like Cory Taylor Jonathan Davis and many others. I just try to learn from how they can write and the way they use emotion in their vocals.
5) When did you know you were musical, and how did you come to find out?
A: when I started I wasn’t musical at all LOL. It took many years of trial and error. And then one day everything seem to click for me and I was able to carry a melody and create music the way I am now. It’s funny looking back on it because when I say it took years I mean it took years. A lot of people told me I should quit while I was ahead but I never dead and thank God I didn’t listen.
5)”Numb” is the first official single to be released from the album. It is an intense song, accompanied by an equally haunting video. Tell us about it.
A: numb is a very special song to me It was the first song I wrote with Tommy Church after leaving my former group. We wanted to go somewhere we had never been musically and I think we accomplish that. It’s set the bar For the rest of the album to follow. The video I have to give credit to Dominic G He is the one that visually came up with the idea and the concept of the story. He took my vocals and created a whole new layout and it was amazing to watch him work as he put it together.
6) What is your favorite song off the album?
A: Hands-down my favorite song on this album is “the shore” it’s My favorite song I have ever written. I was able to be so much different than I’ve ever been on any other song I’ve laid vocals on. It moves me and I feel like I’m not listening to myself when I hear it.
7) I understand this album is produced by a new label. Can you talk more about that?
A: We had already written the album and we’re looking to put it out when Wake Up Music Stepped in and helped us find a platform to put it out on. The album was already written and we sent it to Pepper and she fell in love with it. Wake up music has been an amazing label to work with so far.
8) Who would you most like to collaborate with?
A: There are so many artists I would love to work with but if I had to pick one and be Maynard James Keenan. I would love to just sit in the room watch Maynard as he worked knowing that I was going to get to follow and add to what he already did.
9)Can you give some insight into the creative process for the band as far as creating the music?
A: Are usually let the song speak to me before I try anything. I don’t try to pre-plan lyrics or have any preconceptions before I start. Are usually let the song speak to me and let my mind Speak freely over top of it. I never try to rush anything either I let it grow organically and become of entity of its own.
10) Will we be seeing a tour to support the new album?
We are doing just a few spot dates for the rest of the year and looking to do more support runs in 2020. I can’t wait to get back on the road and start playing shows again but everything has a purpose and we can wait.
The Indifference Of Good Men track listing:
- It’s Not Too Late
- Numb
- Trust Me
- Angel On The Outside
- Cocaine
- The Shore
- One Step
- Satisfied
- I Wish
- Reanimated
- H.C. Tits
- Render
Bonus Track
- Numb Raw Demo
Link to “Numb” video : https://youtu.be/aWSQ43g_X7E.
WEBSITES
https://www.facebook.com/akillersconfession
https://www.instagram.com/a_killers_confession/
Vanessa Pfeifer / BackStage360