A Cruel World
Encyclopedia
A Cruel World is the debut album by New York
alternative metal
band Bloodsimple
, released on March 29, 2005.
styled alternative rock ("Sell Me Out", "Running from Nothing", "Flatlined").
The record's sound carries on, to some extent, in the direction of Vision of Disorder's
last release, From Bliss to Devastation
, which blended more commercial alternative rock elements with hardcore sounds.
, Canada
. Richardson had previously worked with a number of metal / alternative rock acts, including Rage Against the Machine
, Slipknot
, 40 Below Summer
, Chevelle
and Trapt
. According to the band, Richardson understood the sound the band was seeking and did not attempt to "tone it down".
The record's production was a lengthy process, spanning approximately three years from beginning to end. After an extended period of writing, the band spent three and a half months in the studio. The basic elements of the album, including most of the vocals, were recorded in six weeks. After taking some time off, the band received an initial mix of the record, but were dissatisfied with the results. The record was remixed with more success by Mike Fraser
.
The album's first single, the brutal "Straight Hate", was written about American soldiers fighting in Iraq. Vocalist Tim Williams stated that the song was about how difficult it was for the soldiers and that he wanted to write something where the words would help them through the day. Williams denies that the song is political, stating that he does not care about the Government's reasons for deployment of troops to the Gulf.http://www.bloodsimpleband.com/
The song “Flatlined,” is about drug addiction, and was written from the perspective of a drug addict who eventually dies. Williams states that one of his best friends, who loved the song, ended up dying in the same way.http://www.bloodsimpleband.com/
The song "Running From Nothing" was one of the band's oldest songs. The band was hanging out at the Brooklyn
apartment of guitarist Mike Kennedy when guitarist Nick Rowe brought in the song, half-written. Rowe gave it to Williams, who thought it was "one of the coolest pieces of music [he] had heard in a really long time". He wrote the lyrics on Kennedy's toilet with headphones in a matter of minutes.
The track "Falling Backwards" features a guest performance by Mudvayne's
Chad Gray
.
"What if I Lost it" was used as the theme music for Fuse TV
's Metal Asylum
.
Singles
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
alternative metal
Alternative metal
Alternative metal is a genre of alternative rock and heavy metal that gained popularity in the early 1990s. Most notably, alternative metal bands are characterized by heavy guitar riffs and experimental approaches to heavy music.-Origins:...
band Bloodsimple
Bloodsimple
Bloodsimple is an American heavy metal band from New York City that formed in 2002. They were signed to Warner Bros. Records.The band's name, Bloodsimple, comes from a term coined by detective novelist Dashiell Hammett. The term apparently describes the addled, fearful mindset people are in after...
, released on March 29, 2005.
Musical style
In broad terms, Cruel World's songs can be seen as falling into one of two categories: brutal but commercially digestible hardcore ("Straight Hate", "Path to Prevail", "What If I Lost It", "Blood in Blood Out", "Cruel World", "Falling Backwards"), or Alice in ChainsAlice in Chains
Alice in Chains is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley. The initial lineup was rounded out by drummer Sean Kinney, and bassist Mike Starr...
styled alternative rock ("Sell Me Out", "Running from Nothing", "Flatlined").
The record's sound carries on, to some extent, in the direction of Vision of Disorder's
Vision of Disorder
Vision of Disorder is a hardcore punk band from Long Island, New York, US. Vision of Disorder disbanded in 2002, but reunited from time to time over the next six years. In October 2008, they announced that they would record a new studio album...
last release, From Bliss to Devastation
From Bliss to Devastation
From Bliss to Devastation is the 4th studio album by metalcore/hardcore band Vision of Disorder, released in 2001. It was the last album released by the band before their breakup in 2002...
, which blended more commercial alternative rock elements with hardcore sounds.
Production and marketing
The band’s debut record was recorded with rock producer GGGarth Richardson in VancouverVancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Richardson had previously worked with a number of metal / alternative rock acts, including Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1991, the group's line-up consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist and backing vocalist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello and drummer Brad Wilk...
, Slipknot
Slipknot (band)
Slipknot is an American heavy metal band from Des Moines, Iowa. Formed in 1995, the group was founded by percussionist Shawn Crahan and bassist Paul Gray...
, 40 Below Summer
40 Below Summer
- Beginnings :Formed in 1998, 40 Below Summer came together after drummer and Peruvian native Carlos Aguilar met with singer Max Illidge. Joey D'Amico later joined the duo, followed by Jordan Plingos and Steve Ferreira. Their first album Side Show Freaks and EP Rain were self released...
, Chevelle
Chevelle
Chevelle is an American alternative metal trio that formed in 1995 in Grayslake, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. The band was originally composed of two brothers and a local friend: Pete Loeffler , Sam Loeffler , and Matt Scott . Matt was later replaced by brother Joe Loeffler...
and Trapt
Trapt
Trapt is an American rock band that formed in Los Gatos, California in August 1997. The group is composed of lead singer Chris Taylor Brown, lead guitarist Robb Torres, bass guitarist Peter Charell, and drummer Aaron "Monty" Montgomery...
. According to the band, Richardson understood the sound the band was seeking and did not attempt to "tone it down".
The record's production was a lengthy process, spanning approximately three years from beginning to end. After an extended period of writing, the band spent three and a half months in the studio. The basic elements of the album, including most of the vocals, were recorded in six weeks. After taking some time off, the band received an initial mix of the record, but were dissatisfied with the results. The record was remixed with more success by Mike Fraser
Mike Fraser
Mike Fraser is a Canadian record producer, engineer, and mixer. Mike is best known for his work with AC/DC, Metallica, Aerosmith and Joe Satriani...
.
Songs
The themes of Cruel World include war ("Straight Hate"), failed relationships ("Leaving Song", "Sell Me Out"), paranoia ("Running from Nothing") and drug addiction ("Flatlined").The album's first single, the brutal "Straight Hate", was written about American soldiers fighting in Iraq. Vocalist Tim Williams stated that the song was about how difficult it was for the soldiers and that he wanted to write something where the words would help them through the day. Williams denies that the song is political, stating that he does not care about the Government's reasons for deployment of troops to the Gulf.http://www.bloodsimpleband.com/
The song “Flatlined,” is about drug addiction, and was written from the perspective of a drug addict who eventually dies. Williams states that one of his best friends, who loved the song, ended up dying in the same way.http://www.bloodsimpleband.com/
The song "Running From Nothing" was one of the band's oldest songs. The band was hanging out at the Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
apartment of guitarist Mike Kennedy when guitarist Nick Rowe brought in the song, half-written. Rowe gave it to Williams, who thought it was "one of the coolest pieces of music [he] had heard in a really long time". He wrote the lyrics on Kennedy's toilet with headphones in a matter of minutes.
The track "Falling Backwards" features a guest performance by Mudvayne's
Mudvayne
Mudvayne is an American heavy metal band. Their work is marked by the use of sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate visual appearance, which has included face and body paint, masks and uniforms...
Chad Gray
Chad Gray
Chad Gray , is the lead vocalist for the American heavy metal bands Mudvayne and Hellyeah.-Personal life:Gray is the son of Dan and Mitzi Gray of Edgewater, Florida...
.
"What if I Lost it" was used as the theme music for Fuse TV
Fuse TV
Fuse is an American national television network dedicated exclusively to music. It features original series and specials, exclusive interviews, live concerts and video blocks....
's Metal Asylum
Metal Asylum
Metal Asylum is an American television program about heavy metal on Fuse. Hosted by Mistress Juliya, it served as a slightly more subtle incarnation of the popular Uranium and even coexisted with it under the same host...
.
Track listing
- "Straight Hate" – 4:46
- "Path to Prevail" – 3:18
- "What If I Lost It" – 3:25
- "Blood in Blood Out" – 2:20
- "Sell Me Out" – 3:38
- "The Leaving Song" – 4:32
- "Running from Nothing" – 4:12
- "Cruel World" – 3:56
- "Flatlined" – 4:14
- "Falling Backwards" (feat. Chad GrayChad GrayChad Gray , is the lead vocalist for the American heavy metal bands Mudvayne and Hellyeah.-Personal life:Gray is the son of Dan and Mitzi Gray of Edgewater, Florida...
of MudvayneMudvayneMudvayne is an American heavy metal band. Their work is marked by the use of sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate visual appearance, which has included face and body paint, masks and uniforms...
) – 3:51 - "Plunder" – 6:45
- This song ends at 3:23 followed by silence until 4:53, at which point an inaudible phone conversation fades in which leads to the end of the song.
Personnel
- Tim Williams – VocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
- Mike Kennedy – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Nick Rowe – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Kyle Sanders – bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Chris Hamilton – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Charting Positions
Album| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Top Heatseekers | 44 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | "Sell Me Out" | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 39 |
| 2005 | "What if I Lost it?" | Mainstream Rock Tracks | 38 |