OUTLIER – AN ARTIST SPOTLIGHT & SINGLE REVIEW
By Ralph Beauchamp
Fronted by the dynamic Joey Arena, Outlier just released a new single entitled “Graveyard Masterpiece” via Oxide Records produced by Evan McKeever. The track is totally on fire with aggressive guitar riffs and detonating vocals. “Graveyard Masterpiece” follows Outlier‘s recent full length, Screamiere, which features nine killer tracks that demand immediate attention.
Outlier delivers music that lives in a space dedicated to heavy grooves, haunting atmospheres and driving cadences. Their sound is singular with crushing riffs, full throttle rhythms and tension-filled vocals. Instead on relying solely on volume, Outlier uses space and contrast to create music that feels modern and organic. Though their songs hit hard, they still leave room for melody and resonance.
Another commanding reason why Outlier is exceptional is their outstanding songwriting. Founder, songwriter and architect, Joey Arena continues to mature into a compelling writer. His tracks carry infectious intonations that are utterly unique. His songs turn ferocity into majestic gems that explode with vigor. Arena uses darkness and light to build antithesis in his music. This in turn, devours his listeners by creating a beautiful sonic haze of anticipation.
“Graveyard Masterpiece” is just that. It turns intensity into divine storytelling. Arena uses images of both decay and rebirth as a contradictory metaphor for all the things that makes us human – love, loss, trauma and resiliency. Explosive passages float along side moments of grandeur. It’s a complete journey through an unsettling panorama.
In addition, “Graveyard Masterpiece” showcases a band willing to take risks. Outlier continues to evolve into a band unafraid to explore new horizons. At its core, Outlier devises music that fosters emotional connection. Their sound provides both weight and texture. Guitars wail and the rhythms may be volatile but at its heart, Arena creates music for release. His music is his catharsis. It’s the exorcising of his demons.
Frontman Joey Arena explains:
“’Graveyard Masterpiece’ is about realizing that none of us become who we are untouched. We’re stitched together by love, loss, trauma, failure, and everything we survive along the way. Some pieces heal, some leave scars, but they all become part of us. We don’t always get to choose what life uses to build us, we only get to choose what we become when it’s finished.”
Both Screamiere and “Graveyard Masterpiece” have the correct amount of commitment. They are daring and bold. Both leave a resounding impact. Outlier‘s music is about raw strength and cinematic elegance. What a perfect combination.
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