Exclusive Review: Varsity – Risen (Single)
Artist: Varsity
Album: Risen – Single
Rating: 5/5
Drawing heavy influence from bands like ISSUES with Varsity‘s debut release, Lights, we found a comfortable medium in one of the best up-and-coming metalcore bands to hit the FL scene. Now relocated to New York and the UK, the band brings a new line-up, a change of pace and something you’d never expect. With their first single since Lights was released, “Risen,” they’ve decided to experiment with some heavier elements. Coming out of the gate, we’re met with some chugging guitars, vocalist Joey Varela’s incredibly memorable clean vocals and a darker sense of purpose for the band. While the band has gone through a ton to get to the point they’re at today, the struggle and perseverance they showed just makes this track that much more of a triumph. A perfect vocal delivery from Varela (cleans) and bassist Javy Dorrejo (screams) amplifies the chilling effect we received in the past when Varela was performing both parts.
This is a track that depicts the struggle of constantly being put down, looked down upon and being told you’ll never make it. That struggle just makes you fight that much harder to prove those wrong and that’s exactly what Varsity has done! While many called them a copycat of the aforementioned ISSUES in the past, they’ve found a sound that they can embrace as their own, even with the heavy, climactic sound they’ve decided to produce here. It just goes to show you that the right experimentation can lead to beautiful results.
Although this doesn’t exactly reflect the direction their new material will take as a whole, one thing is clear: This current line-up has rejuvenated the spark that Varela began with his solo project and will excite you, as it has me, to hear more in the near future. Do yourselves a favor and pick up a copy of their newest single, “Risen,” you won’t regret it!
“Risen” (Official Lyric Video)
Varsity is:
Joey Varela – Clean Vocals/Guitar
Danny Ravenhall – Guitar/Programming/Strings
Javy Dorrejo – Bass/Screams
Chad Joseph – Drums
Marlene Mendoza – Guitar
Linn Win- Guitar/Backing Vocals
