Ronnie James Dio, the almighty god of rock and animal wear, once descended upon the young musician we now know as Jack Black and offered him advice that would set in motion the semi-autobiographical tale we now know as The Pick of Destiny.
???"To find your fame and fortune, through the valley you must walk, you will face your inner demons, now go my son and rock," Dio said.
???This mythical credo ignited fire and flames inside all of those in its path. As Middle Earth was overwhelmed by death-wielding Orcs, the world of rock's barren cauldron was filled with the blood and devotion of those with the desire to crush the monotony and bring all things heavy to the musical forefront.
???As there have been a countless number of acts that have risen and fallen, it has become overly apparent that making it in an industry that's largely based on sales is easier said than done, especially with those who strive to experiment and aren't afraid to scream when necessary.
???Funeral for a Friend (FFAF) and The Sleeping are two bands that are more than familiar with the losses and struggles that are associated with longevity and survival. Not so coincidentally, both bands will be strolling through the Opera House in Toronto next Wednesday, kicking off the concert season in the surrounding areas that we've so desperately craved.
???Washing overseas from the crisp, cool shores of Bridgend, Wales, Funeral for a Friend finds themselves in the midst of their '09 U.S. Tour. Though huge in the U.K., Bridgend's best is far from a household name in the states. And unless you caught them on opening slots for From Autumn to Ashes and Coheed and Cambria long ago, or on previous installments of the Warped, Projekt Revolution or Taste of Chaos tours, odds are most haven't seen them either.
???FFAF's music, throughout its evolution, has masterfully blended the post hardcore and screamo genres with aggressively sensitive lyrics. More recently, they've offered a slightly more indie take, adding more acoustics to the mix and showing off vocalist Matt Davies' smooth pipes.
???Though the screams that played such an important role in earlier offerings like Four Ways to Scream Your Name and Casually Dressed and Deep in Conversation have definitely taken a back seat, they intentionally haven't disappeared altogether.
???As can be seen with their latest release, Memory and Humanity, Davies has saved his screams for specific moments. In this fashion, they're able to make key lyrics stand out. And as lead guitarist Kris Coombs-Roberts has stated, it just gets boring when music is flooded with screaming.
???With a heavy, yet catchy sound, the band has seen some exposure in the states, especially with the single "Streetcar," which you might remember from the Madden franchise. Shockingly to both the band and public, their long-loved hit "Juneau" saw no time in Ellen Page's cinematic estro-fest Juno, though it would have been welcome as that film lacked any semblance of testosterone whatsoever.
???FFAF is a statement, a band that stands out in a genre of sound and look-a-likes. Don't make them just another line in your book of regret. Take the trek up to Toronto and check them out -God only knows how long it'll be until the sea brings them back again.
???Also worthy of the climb is Long Island's own strikingly experimental and progressive act The Sleeping, who'll be bringing their direct support to Funeral's party.
???Fronted by vocalist Douglas Robinson, The Sleeping steadily add to their devoted following and broken heart choir through constant touring, a lot of the time with Bayside.
???If their name sounds familiar, the band has seen a surprisingly large amount of play in video games. As they've admitted to being huge gamers and would love to remain a game staple band, they've already found themselves in Guitar Hero III, Madden 2007, FlatOut: Ultimate Carnage, Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam and have even added some adrenaline to both TNA Impact and pay per view events, as well as Jason Statham's macho masterpiece Crank.
???As 2009 is the year of change in politics, it is with The Sleeping as well. Since the departure of guitarist/keyboard player Cameron Keym, they've since added new guitarist Paul Cadena and keyboardist Christopher Evans to the mix. They've managed to take a crisis for most bands and make it into a blessing, adding a new aspect to their sound and show altogether.
???Their opening slot on FFAF's 2009 headlining tour is their first full tour with their new, secured line-up since the completion of their forthcoming album What It Takes. Both the tour and the album will prove as an unveiling of sorts of both a new band and new sound. If the just released "You'll Be a Corpse Before Your Time" is indicative of what's to come, fans can look forward to a heavier sound that's less inclined to go off on experimental off-shoots mid-track and remain focused on finishing an intense and catchy four-minute journey with a noticeable synth/organ accompaniment.
???The Sleeping is an unpredictable act, never short on breakdowns or intensity. With a live show that's packed with sweat and wet denim, and an intensity that leaves each member drained and each attendee out of breath, they're reason alone to brave the border and check out the show.
???Take the trip. Support the music scene, even if it isn't technically your own... 'cause deep down inside, we all need a little rock and roll.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
