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Rising Stars [Issue
#22]
Slow Motion Reign:
Welcome The Future By
Mandana Beigi
Slow Motion Reign
(CD
Serjical Strike)
Besides the fact that
this album carries the name of Serj Tankian (System of a Down) as the producer,
it is also one of the finest alternative rock releases to come from the US this
year. Slow Motion Reign’s self-titled debut record exudes the kind of mood
and sensibility that we are used to hearing from Brit-rock bands - no rough edges
and no radical shifts, but energetic and mesmerizing, nonetheless.
The band’s remarkable
creativity in blending the retro psychedelic and progressive rock is what sets
them apart from the formulated post-90s mainstream sound. Every song tells a different
story, and every story is illustrated by beautiful arrangements and emotion-filled
lyrics. Lamenting the superficiality of our modern lives (“Life Simulator,”)
regretting the unsaid and undone (“Space,”) and breathing life into
a fantasy (“Silent Movie,”) the album is a smooth ride through the very
bumpy road of life.
Through their intricate yet intimate compositions they reflect a more poetic perspective
on the world’s events and emotions. “No Way, No How” (featuring
Azam Ali of VAS) is their heartfelt effort in commemorating the Armenian genocide.
“Celebrate the living dead. . . brothers have not fallen in vain… tap
the vain of blood and bread… phoenix rise from ashes again,” the song
is a moving tribute to the tragedy that has not received its as much respect and
recognition as it deserves. “One thing we did not want to do in our musical
careers was to make cookie-cutter music,” says drummer Vigen Sadayian. “We
want to put something out that has some integrity; that has meaning.”
Slow Motion Reign was formed a few years back in the Glendale area of LA by a
group of friends - Narek Pogosyan, Erwin Khachikian, and Vigen Sayadian - who
had been playing local gigs with other bands for some time. They later met Serj
through mutual friends and, after listening to the band’s earlier demos,
he became interested in their music and offered to produce their album. “Making
the record with Serj was a great experience,” says singer/bassist Narek Pogosyan.
“He gave us the freedom to be ourselves and make the record the way we envisioned
it. We’ve all been making music since we were kids, so the opportunity to
play for a living is a dream come true.”
The band’s superb musicianship and solid live performances have gained them
the opening slot for the likes of Ozomatli, Soul Sirkus (founded by Journey guitarist
Neal Schon), and Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains, to mention a few. Slow Motion
Reign will be hitting the road again soon with their new lineup featuring guitarist
Rafik Oganyan, who joined the band earlier this year.
“We’re looking forward to a progressive future, filled with solidarity
and music that provokes and is full of passion,” says keyboardist Erwin Khachikian.
Considering what they have accomplished so far, nothing seems too out of reach
for a band that has let in a warm ray of sunshine through the world of neon lights.
FOR AN EXCLUSIVE
PODCAST INTERVIEW WITH SLOW MOTION REIGN, LOG ON TO WWW.ONEWAYMAGAZINE.COM
Slow Motion Reign
Serjical Strike
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