Spoken (band)

Spoken

Spoken
Background information
Origin Fayetteville, Arkansas, U.S.
Genres Metalcore, hard rock, rapcore (early), rap metal (early)
Years active 1996-present
Labels E1, Tooth & Nail, Metro 1
Website spokenmusic.com
Members Matt Baird
Scoop Roberts
Isaiah Perez
Past members
Oliver Crumpton
Ryan Pei
Jesse McDermott
Jon Allen
Jef Cunningham
Steven Howk
Ronnie Crupper
B.J. Watson
Ryan Jordan
Aaron Wiese
Travis Pierce
Roy Elam
Brandon Thigpen

Spoken is a Christian metalcore band from Fayetteville, Arkansas, U.S., they have released four studio albums on Tooth & Nail Records and E1 Music.

Band history

Beginnings

Starting in 1996, Spoken quickly became a mainstay in their local music scene due to a relentless work ethic and performance schedule. Shortly after forming, Spoken was signed to their first record deal with Metro 1 Music, on which they released three LPs and a greatest hits compilation. With the release of their first album, On Your Feet (1997), and continuing through their second record, …What Remains (1999), the Spoken sound was a combination of rap meets metal and a bit of melodic rock. The third full-length release, Echoes of the Spirit Still Dwell (2000) contained a heavier, more melodic approach to song writing, with songs like "Forevermore" and "This Path" generating repeated rotations on various modern rock radio and video programs across the country.

A Moment of Imperfect Clarity

Spoken signed to Tooth and Nail Records to release their next album, titled A Moment of Imperfect Clarity. This, and their subsequent albums on Tooth and Nail, highlighted an evolving sound in which first melody and then a post-hardcore sound were introduced and stressed. The band shot music videos for "Promise"[1] and "Falling Further"[2]

The Last Chance to Breathe

In 2005, Spoken released Last Chance to Breathe. The style changed even more, becoming more based on screams than heavy guitar work. A music video was shot for "Bitter Taste", a single from the album, featuring Cory Brandon Putman of Norma Jean.[3]

Spoken

On September 25, 2007, Spoken released the album, Spoken. The sound was heavier and more mature, with both heavy vocals and heavy guitar work. Matt Baird, the lead vocalist for Spoken, said this about their sound: "Our new record has a lot of diversity. There are songs that are heavier than anything we've done before, and there is a song that is mostly piano. The songs are really all over the place as far as a similar style or genre, but it works. I think the record is extremely cohesive. I can't wait for people to hear it."[4]

Spoken has made multiple trips across the United States as well Japan, Germany and Sweden. Averaging over 100 shows a year, they regularly see attendance into the hundreds, filling venues to capacity throughout the U.S.

Echoes of the Spirit Still Dwell re-release

In late 2008, Spoken disappeared from the Tooth & Nail roster. Several months later the band announced that they had left the label. Spoken then announced the label Alien Patrol was to release a digital re-release of Echoes of the Spirit Still Dwell, an album that had an extremely limited release early in their career.

Illusion

Spoken has been working on a new record since 2009 with producer Jasen Rauch. They have revealed that the record is finished and will be released on February 12, 2013 through E1 Music and will be called, "Illusion".[5] The band will support the album with a spring tour alongside Volbeat and Danko Jones. The first single, "Through It All", was released on December 18, 2012.

New Album in 2015

The band announced via their Facebook page on November 28, 2014 that they would release a new album in 2015. A later interview with singer Matt Baird revealed the band will be recording at least one song in January as a promo track and then the remainder of the album will be recorded in May 2015.[6] Release date for the song is unknown.

Discography

Studio albums

Compilations

Music videos

References

  1. ↑ YouTube - Spoken - Promise
  2. ↑ YouTube - Spoken-Falling Further
  3. ↑ YouTube - Spoken - "Bitter Taste"
  4. ↑ Qodesh Metal Spoken Interview
  5. ↑ Alice Roques (2013-02-03). "INTERVIEW: SPOKEN - MATT BAIRD'". RockRevolt Magazine™.
  6. ↑ http://www.breathecast.com/articles/spoken-starts-new-album-matt-baird-going-same-record-illusions-22593/

External links