Pop Evil is bringing the Skeletons Tour to several festivals and fairs this summer. In July and August, they will be playing a few shows with special guests Eva Under Fire, and on July 29th, you can see them supporting Bush in Cincinnati! You can get tickets at popevil.com.
6/24 – Sarnia, ON – Bluewater BorderFest 2023
7/13 – Milwaukee, WI – Harley Davidson Homecoming Festival 2023
7/20 – Menahga, MN – Mid Summer Music Fest Rock Week 2023
7/21 – Escanaba, MI – Northern Lights Music Festival 2023
7/23 – Jefferson City, MO – Capital Region MU Health Care Amphitheater+ (VIP available)
7/25 – Mobile, AL – Soul Kitchen+ (VIP available)
7/26 – New Orleans, LA – House of Blues+ (VIP available)
7/28 – Grover Hill, OH – Wetzelland 2023
7/29 – Cincinnati, OH – Hard Rock Casino^
7/30 – Bloomington, IL – The Castle Theatre+ (VIP available)
8/2 – Rock Springs, WY – Sweetwater County Fair 2023
8/3 – Colorado Springs, CO – Black Sheep (VIP available)
8/5 – Kalamazoo, MI – Kalamazoo Ribfest 2023
8/9 – Minot, ND – The Original Bar and Nightclub (VIP available)
8/10 – Sturgis, SD – Sturgis Buffalo Chip 2023
8/11 – Three Forks, MT – Rockin’ the Rivers 2023
8/13 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line+ (VIP available)
8/15 – East Moline, IL – The Rust Belt+ (VIP available)
8/17 – Ottumwa, IA – Bridge View Center+ (VIP available)
8/18 – Glen Flora, WI – Northwoods Rock Rally 2023
8/19 – Yankton, SD – Yankton’s Riverboat Days and Summer Arts Festival 2023
Breathing Theory is a band that toes the line between heavy and melodic with an unrivaled precision (think Starset meets Gemini Syndrome meets Breaking Benjamin), and they have proven this yet again with the release of their new album. Artificial hit all streaming services on May 26th. The album is made up of ten songs that run the gamut from provoking thought to tugging the heartstrings, and all are unforgiving in their extremes.
Artificial opens with the electro-metal-symphonic “Replicas,” an introduction to the theme set by the album’s title: a dystopian future run by artificial intelligence. The very first song begs the questions “Can we define what it is that makes us human? Are we alive, or are we just replicas?”
“Replicas” is succeeded by “Beautiful Disaster,” which showcases Breathing Theory’s hard-hitting riffs paired with heartfelt lyrics and frontman Cory Britt’s strong singing voice. The band sends listeners into audio whiplash by diving straight into the relentless “Collapse.” Here is a prime example of Cory’s harsh growls and screams, echoing the anger and frustration of the lyrics – “They’re starting fires so the smoke and hate won’t clear/Misdirection keeps you trapped in fear” – and juxtaposed by the pure cleans of the chorus.
The next track – “Your Frequency” – is another switch, not exactly a ballad but certainly on the more melodic end of things. This is one of my favorites on the record. The words are gorgeous, and I have the utmost respect for Breathing Theory’s refusal to shy away from that side of their genre.
“The Cure” is crafted into solid verses and an extremely catchy chorus. It is followed by “Transcend,” the heaviest song on the album, and “My Cancer,” the softest. “Tethers” feels like something you would hear on the radio (in the best possible way). It makes the head bob and is easily imaginable as one of the sing-along moments during a Breathing Theory show.
And then, the band drops in their rendition of Journey’s “Separate Ways.” I’ll admit, I didn’t see that one coming, but I cannot stress enough how much it absolutely works! Breathing Theory manages to maintain the integrity of the original while also making it their own, a truly impressive feat.
Artificial wraps with “Blackout,” and I am going to call this a ballad. Slow and steady, with sad lyrics, Cory’s haunting vocals, and a moody guitar solo (can guitar solos be moody?), I think it fits the bill.
There is not a single track on this record that I don’t like. A mix of alternative rock and metal with a metalcore edge and a trace of the grunge element, Breathing Theory definitely knows how to keep listeners intrigued and on their toes. Give Artificial a listen, or several, and follow Breathing Theory on their socials to see what’s next!
Mostly Music 