New Brunswick, New Jersey-based progressive metal band, City of Tyrants, is this week’s Artist of the Week! In 2018, they released their debut album, Revelations, which brought the art of storytelling into the band’s music.
Get to know the band in their Artist of the Week Q&A below!
1. Can you introduce yourself to those who may not know you?
Ed Tyler – Guitarist for City of Tyrants
2. How would you describe your music to people who have never heard it before?
With the amount of new bands coming out today and the reach that steaming platforms have, it can be hard to truly stand out as an independent artist. Our goal on “Revelations” was just to put our own spin on the progressive metal genre. We try to write songs that we would enjoy listening to if we were the fans. With that being said, our new album has a lot to offer. We’re hoping it appeals to a very wide audience range. If you like big sing along choruses, breakdowns or fun djenty riffs, you’ll find it on “Revelations”.
3. Who are your musical influences?
John Petrucci and Frederik Thordendal. Both of those guys are very different players but unique. Petrucci is a great songwriter and without the accomplishments of Dream Theater, we might not be here writing music today.
4. What do you hope fans get from your music?
The same feeling we got when we were young, listening to our first metal songs
5. Tell us a little bit about your song and music video, “Bloodlines.”
“Bloodlines” is the fourth track on the album and details the characters background and relationship with his father. Due to the fact that “Revelations” is a concept album, lyrically, this song is a very important piece of the puzzle. Throughout the song, the character is in battle with his own psyche and trying not to become the evil figure whom his father taught him to be. The verses of the song reflect on present day detailing his volatile relationship with his father and the chorus reflects on present day and how he wishes to have revenge. We went into the filming of the video for Bloodlines with the goal of having it feel like one of our live shows. We wanted to catch tons of energy on film while still providing an underlying visual story which would be easy to digest.
6. What is your songwriting process like?
Our writing process can get pretty interesting. We like to experiment with a lot of different instruments such as synths, pianos, and all types of percussion. I think a Theramin even made its way onto the album. A lot of our songs start out with either a single riff, a melody(sang our played) or something as simple as a cool synth progression. We try to take a good amount of breaks while writing so we don’t get too burnt out. During those breaks, we listen to music that’s not related to our genre at all and try to draw inspiration. That music can be anything from jazz to pop.
7. What are your plans for the rest of 2019?
To play as many shows as possible and meet lots of new people!
8. How does it feel to release your first official single?
Feels good, but already itching to write new material
9. What is your go-to drink from a coffee shop?
Peppermint mocha latte
10. What is your current favorite song?
G.O.A.T – Polyphia
11. What was the first concert you went to?
Biohazard, Nothingface at Birch Hill early 2000’s
12. What is your favorite movie?
Chopper, Bronson – I actually named both of my dogs after these movies!- also Fried Green Tomatoes
13. If you could create your dream tour, who would be on the lineup?
Meshuggah, The Haunted, God Forbid, Lamb of God, City Of Tyrants
14. What is a song you wish you wrote and why?
Rational Gaze – Meshuggah, Done – The Haunted
Listen to Revelations by City of Tyrants here and watch the video for their latest single below!
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