Review: Thousand Years Wide – Bedlam
Artist: Thousand Years Wide
Album: Bedlam
Label: Independent
Tracklist:
1.Let it All Out
2. Fading Light
3. Doesn’t Matter
4. Broken Promise
5. Pretty
6. Ticky Tock
7. In My Head
8. Kiss Goodbye
Bonus Track
We Are The Change
In April of 2014, after a long conversation between two experienced musicians, the unstoppable force that is Missouri’s Thousand Years Wide was born. Early on, they won two prestigious awards (Best New Band – 2015 Project Backstage Midwest Music Awards, Rock Band of the Year – 2016 Project Backstage Midwest Music Awards.) Their new album, Bedlam, marries the lyrical prowess of forward thinking bands like Evans Blue, with the musical intensity of bands like Staind, Chevelle, etc. Moreover, though, they manage to stand alone from the aforementioned bands and their passion, drive and pride in what they do truly shows.
A bass-heavy, atmospheric riff overtakes your speakers before distorted, chugging guitars turn things up a notch as “Let It All Out” begins. Vocalist Trent Holcomb demands your attention, as his mid-range vocals hit your ears, void of any effects and raw as can be. His vocal style is reminiscent of a time when bands like Adema, Earshot, etc ruled the airwaves and creates a feeling of nostalgia, as the emotion emanates with each breath. During the chorus, he explodes and creates an urgency in the band’s sound. In terms of the mix, Dawson Jonas seems to be a focal point as he pounds the skins with purpose. He starts off with a slower, bouncy beat and matches intensity as the chorus comes in.
While this band is clearly rooted in an active rock sound, they border on metalcore at times as Holcomb reveals that he has more than a few tricks up his sleeves. Just when you think that you’ve figured out the structure of each song, you’re thrown a curveball and it becomes even more enjoyable. While there is a clear formulaic method to how these songs were put together (slow, building vocal line on first verse, – heavy, driven chorus) the band is not reliant on it, as they show throughout the album.
If you’re not into the heavier, grit that encompasses the majority of their sound, you will find yourself drawn towards more melodic, emotional tracks like “Broken Promises” and “Pretty,” these tracks center around mostly clean guitar, with a focal point on emotional vocals that build and break, creating an intensity that can be felt as well as heard.
“Ticky Tock Let Me Go” was a major surprise for me, as it’s heavily reliant on a bass line, that the rest of the band tends to follow suit with. If I had to choose a track to really represent the sound conveyed on this album, it would be this one. Not only is it a hard, driving track that shows how talented Holcomb is as a vocalist, it has that intensity felt in the previous tracks, along with a build and break formula. In terms of performance and execution, this one really stands on its own.
Bedlam is the perfect title for this album, as it dives into many different facets of rock and metal, creating a cacophonous sound that makes you not want to turn away. Consistently writing, improving and expanding upon their sound/direction have made this band, who already has a very impressive fan-base around the St. Joe/Kansas City area, one who will turn heads and is sure to propel them forward, gaining momentum with the more of an audience they get to share it with. Be sure to pick up your copy, available now!
“We Are the Change” (Official Music Video)
“Fading Light” (Official Lyric Video)