For a genre almost built on that fabled “last gang in town” mentality and image, it is kind of strange how often heavy metal bands are formed around one specific member who acts as the band leader. From time to time it’s two people, but more often than not long running heavy metal acts have that one mastermind. The kind who might not always write the songs themselves, but they still steer the band in the direction they want it to go while chopping and changing the line up until they have a bunch of people they feel comfortable collaborating with.
Memphis May Fire are a perfect example of how well this can go, as under sole constant member Kellen McGregor, they’ve become one of the most acclaimed acts in American metal and if their recent efforts are anything to go by, they might also be going to become one of the biggest. McGregor formed the original incarnation of the band in 2004 as Oh Captain, My Captain, and after three years of local touring they changed their name to Memphis May Fire, it was then that the band started to pick up some real momentum.
Their local following increased exponentially and, in order to capitalise, the band funded the recording their first self-titled E.P, and then self-released at their shows and on their website. Their E.P caught the attention of Josh Grabelle, president of Trustkill Records, who was so taken with them that he had them signed to his label by September 2007, and their E.P was reissued in December of the same year. With that much momentum on their side, the band wanted to turn their attention to recording their debut album, but it was at that point that their first wave of line up troubles reared up, leading to the bands original bassist, drummer and lead singer all leaving the band.
After searching, the rhythm section was eventually rebuilt with full time members Cory Elder on bass and Jake Garland on drums. Then, after putting out an open audition on their MySpace page, the band found their new lead singer in the form of Matty Mullens, then a mere 19 years old. The new incarnation of the band came together and recorded their debut effort, 2009’s “Sleepwalker”, and almost instantly the band were taken seriously as the hot, new contenders on the metal scene. By 2011, the band had signed to legendary metalcore label Rise Records, and began their rise to the very top of the American metal scene.
Since then, they become one of the most consistently great bands in American metal, with all their albums gaining critical acclaim and their astonishing live show has seen them sell out venues all over the world. Over a decade into their career, they’re right in their prime and will be for a very long time. Highly recommended.
The band’s early origins can be traced back to an Arizona high school in 2002 when guitarist and drummer friends Mike Frisby and Matt Traynor started practice sessions in the school’s music rooms. Guitarists Eric Lambert and Miles Bergsma and Craig Mabbitt on lead vocals soon joined them.
After playing gigs in their hometown the group generated some local press buzz with the clear religious leanings in their lyrics. The band was subsequently picked up by Science Records, who put them on tour with similar bands such as Alesana and Norma Jean. blessthefall went on to release their debut studio album “His Last Walk” in 2007.
The album was well received by alt-rock magazines and reviewers and saw sales of over 65,000 on its initial release, which was deemed as very successful for such a niche market. The band embarked on their first European tour, which saw lead singer Mabbitt leave the band for personal family problems. Current vocalist Beau Bokan, whose signature “scream” style has become a trademark of the band, replaced him in 2008.
In 2009, blessthefall signed with Fearless Records to release their second album “Witness.” A track titled “To Hell On Back” which featured on the album was used in the trailer for the video game “Splinter Cell: Conviction”
During the writing process of their third album “Awakening” in 2011, the band announced that founding member Mike Frisby was leaving and had been replaced by former “Legacy” guitarist, Elliot Gruenberg.
Following on from “Awakening” blessthefall confirmed that their latest album “Hollow Bodies” would be released in 2013. Hollow Bodies was a commercial success for the band, charting at number 15 on the US Billboard Charts. Blessthefall have successfully toured around the US and globally, as well as bringing their renowned live shows to alt-rock circuit shows such as the Vans Warped Tour.
As of this year, Memphis May Fire will have been a band for a whole decade. To put things in perspective Mumford and Sons are three years younger than them, while Imagine Dragons are younger by four and Bastille six. While numerous other bands may have had quicker rises to the top of the charts and into the welcoming arms of arenas the world over the Metalcore five piece from Dallas, Texas have something that the others don’t. Something utterly vital, that can’t be bought by a record label or crowd-funded by a dedicated fan base and that something, is experience. Memphis May Fire have had ten years to perfect what they do and make it truly their own, and it shows in every one of the multitude of lives shows they do. The band doesn’t put much truck in staying in one place, they’re constantly touring and if they’re not they’re making a record, so like most bands that make their name touring like their lives depend on it the true Memphis May Fire experience comes in their live show. Their identity is in every part of it, from frontman Matty Mullins’ ability to command any audience he finds himself in front of with wit and warmth through to sole founding member Kellen McGregor’s totemic stage presence and note perfect guitar playing. For all this talk of the bands tenth anniversary I don’ feel it matters all that much to the band. They keep doing what they do to the best of their ability and every concert they play is more important to them than any statistic or milestone one can mention, and we are privileged to have bands like that as rock and roll fans the world over. Ones to see as soon as possible.
william-howard-2
It is fair to say that British audiences have always found a way to listen to American punk rock bands despite them never having achieved commerciality on our shores. Blessthefall are very much one of these bands as their UK fanbase could only be described as cult due to the sheer dedication and commitment the fans demonstrate when the group announce a tour.
On their latest visit promoting the new LP 'Hollow Bodies', the band seems more well tuned than ever and step onto stage with the same level of rock unpreparedness. Although their demeanour may lead you to believe this is a jam session of sorts, the show itself is well paced and thought out as the group quickly perform some of the new material along with older cuts. The more well known tracks receive the largest reaction and the audience sing back 'What's Left of Me' in force. They wrap up an energetic show with the title track of the new album and leave the UK audience contented with both the material and the performers.
sean-ward
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