| CANDIRIA |
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| INFO |
YEAR FORMED: 1992
HOMETOWN: Brooklyn, NY
MEMBERS:
Carley Coma (vocals),
Eric Matthews (guitar),
John LaMacchia (guitar),
Michael MacIvor (bass),
Kenneth Schalk (drums)
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| BIOGRAPHY |
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September 9, 2002 is a day that changed Candiria. As a band. As musicians. And as individual people. In the face of monstrous adversity, the experimental band, which could never be accused of being “stagnant,” has prospered, progressed, and grown even more.
On that fateful September day, the Brooklyn band, which has always kept its fans guessing thanks to its unpredictable, mathematical style, was involved in a horrific accident while on tour supporting its last album, the double-disc Coma Imprint. The accident resulted in the total destruction of its tour vehicle, and the members of Candiria sustained serious, critical injuries.
But Candiria survived and has been reborn with What Doesn’t Kill You, its new album on Type A Records. According to frontman Carley Coma, “It’s our most emotional album. We should’ve died in the accident and this album might never have been made. But I think it’s going to wind up being our best.” Bassist Michael MacIvor concurs, “We lived through this and we wanted to do something different. Maybe the accident was some type of gift. The band went through changes and we decided to add a new, melodic side to our music because of the accident. It takes life altering and defining moments to make you change.” Drummer Kenneth Schalk finishes, “This is our fifth album and it’s the relevant evolution of our band. Every song is about us evolving.”
Every human being knows that change isn’t the most pleasant thing in the world, but it’s necessary for survival. In true Candiria fashion, What Doesn’t Kill You, which was produced by David Bendeth (40 Below Summer, Breaking Benjamin, Ill Nino), keeps listeners on their toes with its honest, cerebral experimentation, which earned the band its reputation as musical alchemists that fuse metal, hardcore, jazz, and hip-hip in a wholly original, combustible blend. Previous outings, namely 300 Percent Density and The Process Of Self-Development, have garnered nods from the likes of Rolling Stone, Spin, and Kerrang.
But while What Doesn’t Kill You not only builds on Candiria’s complex, hallmark signature style, it expands and goes beyond it, embracing change instead of fearing it. The band admits songcraft was an essential focus of this record.
“It’s an up and down journey,” explains MacIvor. “It’s less quirky and less from the jazz side. We did that in the past and we don’t want to make the same record twenty times. We didn’t want to become predictable. If everyone expects us to insert jazz parts, we thought, ‘Let’s not do that at all.’ And adding a jazz part didn’t feel right on this particular group of songs.”
The songs on What Doesn’t Kill You pulse and throb, but also show a newfound respect for catchiness. The band also tried its hand at three part harmonies, adding another layer of dynamics to an already dynamic sound. Coma, who has rapped and screamed on past Candiria albums, demonstrates a deft, capable singing voice, and his sharpest lyrical focus to date.
“Down” and “Remove Yourself,” on first listens, might not even sound like Candiria songs to seasoned fans of the band. They’re some of Candiria’s simplest songs ever, to which Schalk says, “Whether you are simple or technical with your music, it does not measure greatness. It’s the song.” And both songs groove in such a way that they will take up real estate in your brain. They’re unforgettable, yet in a completely different way the more experimental songs like “1000 Points Of Light” and “Dead Bury The Dead” are unforgettable. And then there is “9mm Solution,” which roots itself in hip-hop.
From a lyrical standpoint, Coma treads more personal ground. “Down” is the band’s testament to trying new things and moving on. “Nameless King” is about stepping into a new arena, while “Blood” is a track about war. “1000 Points Of Light” is a rebellion anthem, and “Vacant” is about Coma’s father. The lyrics on What Doesn’t Kill You are some of Candiria’s most potent and graphic to date, and it’s just another ingredient in a new, improved recipe.
Many hard rock bands, upon establishing themselves, are afraid to try new things. You can’t say that about Candiria. The band has been trying new things since it formed in 1992. You can rest assured that as long as Candiria remains a band, it will continue to charter previously uncharted territory and take a sledgehammer and smash new ground.
It’s never easy for a band to endure sonic growing pains and life-threatening accidents.
But you know how the old saying goes… What Doesn’t Kill You…only makes you stronger.
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