Swarm of Eyes Brings New EP, “Once More Unto the Breach” Directly to Fans Via Kickstarter Campaign
Swarm of Eyes is set to unleash their newest offering, Once More Unto the Breach. Their heaviest release yet, the five-song EP is packed with Swarm of Eyes’ signature blend of thrash, doom, and death metal. But instead of taking the traditional album rollout route, Swarm of Eyes is inviting fans to join a limited-time Kickstarter campaign to connect directly with the band, grab exclusive items, and get their music straight from the source.
The EP is available to Kickstarter backers with the campaign starting February 10 and running through March 6. Digital downloads are expected to be delivered shortly after the campaign ends, while physical media ships in May (domestic) and June (international).
“We miss when an album coming out was an event,” observes Swarm of Eyes guitarist George O’Connor. “Lining up at midnight and popping it right into your CD or—lord help us—cassette player. Today, you send a link out into social media, hoping your fans and potential fans will find it. Bringing the album to Kickstarter allows us to throw a 25-day party for anyone who wants to join. They’ll get to know us, the album, and share in the excitement. Plus, they know they’re directly supporting the people who made the music and helping make the biggest possible impact.”
No stranger to the power of DIY, O’Connor has over 13 successful Kickstarter projects under his belt. The guitarist knows firsthand how platforms like this build trust and strengthen the bond between artist and audience.
“I’m a fan of the connection it can help make between creators and fans in a world where the gulf between the two keeps growing wider,” O’Connor notes. “And to give our fans and backers the smoothest experience possible, we finished the album before launching.”
The Kickstarter campaign gives fans the option to customize their experience, choosing from a digital download, a physical copy on CD, or both. Backers can also opt for exclusive perks, including t-shirts, prior releases, and a bonus 7-song rarities EP.
To bring back the excitement factor of an old school release, the band enlisted the talents of artist Justice Mitchell, who created the cover and interior art for Once More Unto the Breach, as well as two new Swarm of Eyes t-shirt designs featured as part of the campaign.
“The album is done. The t-shirts are ready to print. Both are ready to go. We’ve lowered the risks so backers can feel confident they’ll get their rewards as fast as possible,” states O’Connor.
This campaign gives fans a chance to hear everything that Swarm of Eyes has created over the past 15 years. The band recently celebrated a decade-and-a-half of face-melting metal, maintaining the same original lineup featured on their 2011 debut, Designing the Dystopia. That fresh intensity stays strong as Swarm of Eyes goes Once More Unto the Breach.
Powered by the dual-guitar assault of O’Connor and Derrik Albertelli, the brutal vocals of Randy Carter, the hard-hitting double bass of drummer Tommy Burke, and the low-end thunder of bassist Jeff Grossman, Swarm of Eyes continues to evolve while staying true to their unique sound, bringing new fans to the fold alongside longtime supporters.
“We’re incredibly proud of these songs and how they came out,” proclaims O’Connor. “Everyone gets a chance to shine, and listeners will get to hear how each member brings something unique to the table.”
For more information and to back the campaign on its February 10 launch date, visit the Swarm of Eyes album launch page on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/119090779/swarm-of-eyes-new-ep-releaseonce-more-unto-the-breach
Swarm of Eyes is Back in the Studio
Let’s face it: 2020 has been a downer of a year for music. Not only have we lost Neil Peart and Eddie Van Halen, but live music has been one of many casualties of the pandemic. Like many artists who are juggling a desire to create and share new music with fans, Swarm of Eyes has been working on recording new material
The same quintet you know and love — vocalist Randy Carter, guitarists George O’Connor and Derrik Albertelli, bassist Jeff Grossman, and drummer Tommy Burke — have been making the most of the world’s lull in the action by creating new music and reinterpreting fan favorites. The band recently took to the studio to re-record “Turn Back to Light.”
Re-Recording “Turn Back to Light”
One of the newer additions to Swarm of Eyes’ live shows (Live shows! Remember those?!), “Turn Back to Light” was released as a single in late 2019. Fast-forward to 2020 and the Eyes guys are shaking off the dust, writing and practicing new material, and plotting a course for a brand new album. For now, they’re starting slow, taking a familiar song from their catalog and reinterpreting it.
Much like a daytime soap opera and Jesus Christ (insert obligatory Type O Negative-inspired “Jesus Christ looks like Randy” quip) , this isn’t the first time Swarm of Eyes has performed a resurrection.
Previously, the band re-recorded one of their signature songs, “Humanemic,” for their 2017 EP, We Go To War With the Weapons We Have. The song originally appeared on their debut album, Designing the Dystopia, and was recorded before drummer Tommy Burke and bassist Jeff Grossman joined the band. The new-and-improved “Humanemic” let the Eyes’ rhythm section put their stamp on the song, preserving a slice of the band’s live dynamic for posterity.
Working With “New” Producer, Mac Ritchey
For the new re-recording of “Turn Back to Light,” producer Mac Ritchey is in the control booth, steering the ship. Liner notes junkies and longtime fans of several of the Eyes’ guys former bands may recognize Ritchey as the production mastermind behind Motokops 2000’s album, Only Pieces Remain. While MK2K and Swarm of Eyes vocalist Randy Carter had worked with Mac Ritchey before, the rest of the band finally got a taste of working with the producer.
“What Mac brings is a LOT of experience, a VERY trained musical ear, and an eagerness to collaborate and create,” noted Carter. “He likes a challenge.”
A musician’s producer, Mac Ritchey has worked with a diverse range of artists spanning the gamut from metal to folk and adult contemporary. The common denominator is that Ritchey has a reputation for working with passionate, highly trained musicians and has an appreciation for the subtleties of not just a given genre, but for the intricacies of sound unique to each artist. It doesn’t hurt that the man makes his own stringed instruments, too.
“He’s so good at working in Pro Tools and editing it’s actually stunning,” continued Carter. He left everyone in the room amazed and singing his praises. He’s also just the nicest, most upbeat, sweetheart of a guy.”
Swarm of Eyes: Celebrating 10 Years of Live Shows in 2021
Re-recording “Turn Back to Light” with Mac Ritchey is just the first step in the band’s march toward 2021. In addition to being any year that’s NOT 2020, 2021 is special because it marks 10 years of Swarm of Eyes playing live shows together as a fully-fledged five-member band. The group hopes to mark the occasion with fresh material to satiate fans hungering for heavy music.
“The plan is to have a whole new EP of songs and a brand new set to play live once venues open back up, sometime next year,” observed Carter.
While 2020 has been pretty damn abysmal, there’s a “Light” at the end of the tunnel — at least in the form of new Swarm of Eyes music on the horizon and the promise of live shows when fans and bands can safely return to clubs and concert halls. For now, it’s all about mining the time spent in solitude to create something together.
Swarm of Eyes Reveals Album Art & Release Date for New Album
Not since Chinese Democracy have metal fans been so eagerly anticipating a release! And while it may or may not be as disappointing, by gum, Swarm of Eyes’ second album is coming soon! The band’s sophomore effort, We Go to War with the Weapons We Have, is scheduled for a January 6th, 2017 release date with cover art and visuals designed by the one and only Mike D’Antonio of Killswitch Engage, via his art production house DarkicoN Design.
Fans will hear an evolution of the band’s sound that retain elements from their 2012 debut, Designing the Dystopia, and combines Big 4-style riffs with modern metal production. The end result is an addictive strain of thrash-y doom metal that leaves a distinctive imprint of destruction in its wake.
Produced by Dave “Weirdbeard” McCafferty and Swarm of Eyes guitarist George O’Connor, the album features four brand new tracks, two cover songs, and a re-recorded “Humanemic” from the band’s debut disc. Whereas the original “Humanemic” was recorded before bassist Jeff Grossman and drummer Tommy Burke joined the band, this new version features all five members of Swarm of Eyes bringing their talents to the track.
Check out our shameless shill at the end of this news bulletin the track listing and pre-order your copy today. (Shipping 01/06/2017).