All of the members were born and raised in Salt Lake City, and they’re already hitting it off with the heavy metal heads of Utah. Chelsea Grin started almost a year ago, (formerly known as “ahaziah”) and they’ve already released their own five song length EP. The guitarist and vocalist of the band, Chris and Alex first started the band with just a simple dream. To make a ton of fans and have as much fun as they possibly can while performing their music. Then found their bassist, Austin, the other lead guitarist, Michael, and drummer Andrew.

The songs featuring on the EP are “Crewcabanger,” “Anathema of the Sick,” “Disgrace,” “Cheyne Stokes,” and “Lifeless.” With a screaming vocalist and two guitars sweeping in sync, it’s not too surprising they’ve gotten big in Utah. If you enjoy head-banging music and heavy beats from the drums, you should definitely check out this band.
The group of five boys have already toured California, Idaho, New Mexico, and the remaining states neighboring Utah. With just a small van and a low budget, Chelsea Grin was able to pull off their long road-trips successfully. Though sleeping in Wal-Mart parking lots isn’t necessarily ‘successful’ they still did what they had to do in order to spread their music to the other states around us. Most of their shows have been played in Ogden, Provo, or Salt Lake City. Since the band is a local Utah band, they’re more than willing to deliver their merchandise to your house if you live nearby. Along with their still-selling EP, they have many shirts and hoodies that are up and selling right now. So hurry up and buy one!

A full-length debut is a pivotal moment for most bands, but for Phoenix, AZ natives the Word Alive, it’s a battle-tested triumph. Considering the countless miles the band has traveled since their 2009 EP release, Empire, and the obstacles the six-piece has had to overcome along the way, every track of Deceiver pulsates with the passion and fury of a conquering army, and is the very definition of “shock and awe.”

After traveling to Ocala, FL to record with up-and-coming producer Andrew Wade (A Day To Remember, VersaEmerge), The Word Alive resurfaced from the studio armed with debut album Deceiver, a challenging, genre-bending opus that fully showcases the considerable abilities of one of heavy music’s true rising talents. Mastered by Alan Douches and featuring guest performances by Dave Stephens from We Came As Romans and Levi Benton of Miss May I, the album offers fans all that they love about The Word Alive and so much more.

The Word Alive truly made their impact in 2009 when they released their debut EP Empire, which sold more than 20,000 copies and spent time on Billboard’s “Heatseekers” chart. Quickly winning over listeners with its scorching musicianship and singer Tyler “Telle” Smith’s hyperkinetic vocals, the EP set the stage for an even deeper, more innovative full-length to follow.

“On Deceiver, we wanted to take everything that we did on the EP and boost it times ten,” says Smith. “We got to do everything that we feel represents us on this album. In some parts it sounds like you could almost be listening to an ambient/indie band because of the electronic influences, in other parts it’s dark and almost creepy. We spent a lot of time before writing the album thinking of how we could sample other instruments to really add depth—either keyboard parts that Dusty [Riach, keyboardist] would do, or cello, violins and different percussion instruments.

“One thing’s for sure,” Smith adds. “On this album, when we’re heavy, we’re way heavier.”

A major difference to note among Deceiver’s blistering instrumentation is the hefty contributions of new drummer Justin Salinas, formerly of My Children My Bride and Scars of Tomorrow. With Salinas now in the fold, TWA is ready to take on the world.

“Deceiver is not a concept album, but it’s got a lot of heavy theme stuff that goes along with the title,” explains Smith. “Over the past year, we’ve gone through some big changes, and we poured those experiences into this album.”

The group kept the road ever-present in mind when writing much of Deceiver, knowing that massive touring would be in the immediate future. Their intense touring schedule in support of the album has included a summer run on Warped Tour 2010, as well as tours with Bleeding Through, A Day To Remember and Underoath. 2011 is poised to be their biggest yet, with U.S. and European tours with We Came As Romans and a full summer on Vans Warped Tour, followed by a slot on Soundwave Revolution in Australia and a U.S. run for the fall.

“We really wanted it to be an experience when you come to our show,” says Smith. “What I think a lot of musicians forget is that people are paying to be entertained. With this album we definitely thought of the live show, and how we could make every fan, or even a person who’s never heard of us, think, ‘Man, it sounded like there were 15 people up there, and it was just awesome.'”

The Word Alive’s debut album Deceiver is available now. The Deceiver: Deluxe Edition featuring two new tracks, remixes and videos is also now available digitally.

4/28/15