Burning The Process
Encyclopedia
Burning the Process is the major label debut album of alternative metal
band Pressure 4-5
, released on Dreamworks Records
in 2001
. It features 11 tracks, three of which ("These Hands," "Beat the World," and "Even Worse") were featured on a prior three-song sampler release and were re-recorded for this album. This would prove to be Pressure 4-5's first and only major label album, as the group disbanded in 2002
.
of Helmet
. And while Rich insisted that their style falls under "heavy rock" rather than metal, and that the band "wanted to get as far away from the rap-rock
scene as possible," tracks like "Even Worse" bear some resemblance to rap metal
.
Much of the album's lyrics deal with overcoming problems such as grieving and, particularly in the song "Even Worse," irrationality of religion. Frontman Adam Rich elaborated, "As individuals, we're constantly learning and trying to figure things out - it's an ongoing process. . . It's what life is about, and we named this record Burning The Process in honor of that."
and Hoobastank
. The band also performed their own fourteen-date tour beginning March 31, 2002 before joining Lit on April 18. Next would be the MTV2 Presents Tour with Apex Theory and Lostprophets
where they previewed new material.
"Beat the World," a song which deals with the sudden death of Adam Rich's best friend, would be the band's lead single
off Burning the Process. Its music video
, directed by Marc Webb
, performed well on modern rock mainstays such as MTV2
, and the song found considerable radio play from late summer to winter of 2001. "Beat the World" appeared on the WWF Tough Enough soundtrack
in 2001.
In spring 2002, the group introduced their second single and video, "Melt Me Down." Rich explained the song as "[incorporating] the universal theme of having the freedom to express yourself however you want." The track was featured on the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 soundtrack.
and particularly obvious Helmet
influence. He praised Rich's vocal abilities and the track "Stares" while noting "Even Worse" as one of "the only low points of an otherwise impressive debut." Torreano regarded the Burning the Process as demonstrating "a band with a lot of promise and ambition" and wide appeal.
Gary Graff of Revolver
considered it "a powerful debut, certainly a meaty dish that's served with a minimum of garnish-free of raps, loops, and samples." Metal Edge
writer Mike Magnuson commended the lyrical purpose behind the album's tracks. Burning the Process also gained approval from smaller magazines including HITS and Mean Street who commended its "sense of melodic dynamics."
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 Pressure 4-5
Pressure 4-5
Pressure 4-5 was an alternative rock/metal group hailing from Santa Barbara, California. The band released one studio album, Burning the Process, in October 2001 and toured into the following year...
, released on Dreamworks Records
DreamWorks Records
DreamWorks Records was an American record label. Founded in 1996 by David Geffen, Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg as a subsidiary of DreamWorks SKG, the label operated until 2005 when it was shut down...
in 2001
2001 in music
See also:* 2001 in music Record labels established in 2001-Events:*January 1**Comeback of Guns N' Roses in House of Blues**Hum disbands.*January 17 – Bass player Jason Newsted leaves Metallica after 14 years with the band....
. It features 11 tracks, three of which ("These Hands," "Beat the World," and "Even Worse") were featured on a prior three-song sampler release and were re-recorded for this album. This would prove to be Pressure 4-5's first and only major label album, as the group disbanded in 2002
2002 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2002.-Events:*February 3 – U2 perform during the halftime show for Super Bowl XXXVI...
.
Musical style
Burning the Process showcases a sound akin to contemporary alternative metal as well as groups popular in the 1990s. In addition to a fierce scream, vocalist Adam Rich utilizes his voice comparably to Page HamiltonPage Hamilton
Page Hamilton is a guitarist, singer and record producer, mostly noted for his work with alternative metal band Helmet...
of Helmet
Helmet (band)
Helmet is an alternative metal band from New York City formed in 1989. Founded by vocalist and lead guitarist Page Hamilton, Helmet has had numerous lineup changes, and Hamilton has been the only constant member....
. And while Rich insisted that their style falls under "heavy rock" rather than metal, and that the band "wanted to get as far away from the rap-rock
Rapcore
Rapcore is a subgenre of rap rock fusing vocal and sometimes instrumental elements of hip hop with punk rock .-History:...
scene as possible," tracks like "Even Worse" bear some resemblance to rap metal
Rap metal
Rap metal is a subgenre of rap rock which fuses vocal and instrumental elements of hip hop music with heavy metal.-History:Rap metal originated from rap rock, a genre fusing vocal and instrumental elements of hip hop with rock...
.
Much of the album's lyrics deal with overcoming problems such as grieving and, particularly in the song "Even Worse," irrationality of religion. Frontman Adam Rich elaborated, "As individuals, we're constantly learning and trying to figure things out - it's an ongoing process. . . It's what life is about, and we named this record Burning The Process in honor of that."
Touring and promotion
Pressure 4-5 acquired a spot on the Second Stage of Ozzfest 2001. Through the remainder of the year, they joined an MTV-sponsored club tour with groups like Alien Ant FarmAlien Ant Farm
Alien Ant Farm is an American alternative rock band that formed in Riverside, California, in 1995. Their name comes from an idea original guitarist Terry Corso had about aliens and the earth: "I was daydreaming at my dull desk job with my feet up, and I thought to myself, 'Wouldn't it be cool if...
and Hoobastank
Hoobastank
Hoobastank is an American rock band, best known for their 2004 hit "The Reason" and other hits "Crawling in the Dark" and "Running Away". They formed in 1994 in Agoura Hills, California, with singer Doug Robb, guitarist Dan Estrin, drummer Chris Hesse, and original bassist Markku Lappalainen. They...
. The band also performed their own fourteen-date tour beginning March 31, 2002 before joining Lit on April 18. Next would be the MTV2 Presents Tour with Apex Theory and Lostprophets
Lostprophets
Lostprophets is a Welsh rock band from Pontypridd, formed in 1997. Founded by vocalist Ian Watkins, bassist Mike Lewis, drummer Mike Chiplin and guitarist Lee Gaze, they were originally a side-project to hardcore punk band Public Disturbance. To date, Lostprophets have released four studio...
where they previewed new material.
"Beat the World," a song which deals with the sudden death of Adam Rich's best friend, would be the band's lead single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
off Burning the Process. Its music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
, directed by Marc Webb
Marc Webb
Marc Preston Webb is an American music video, short film and major motion picture director. He directed the 2009 romantic comedy-drama Days of Summer and is currently directing the 2012 Spider-Man reboot The Amazing Spider-Man.-Life and career:Webb was born in Bloomington, Indiana, the son of...
, performed well on modern rock mainstays such as MTV2
MTV2
MTV2 is a cable network that is widely available in the United States on digital cable and satellite television, and is progressively being added to analogue cable lineups across the nation...
, and the song found considerable radio play from late summer to winter of 2001. "Beat the World" appeared on the WWF Tough Enough soundtrack
WWF Tough Enough (album)
WWE Tough Enough is an album of music related to WWE Tough Enough.-Track listing:#"Bodies" - Drowning Pool 3:22#"Smooth Criminal" - Alien Ant Farm 3:27#"Awake" - Godsmack 5:05#"Bombshell" - Powerman 5000 3:13...
in 2001.
In spring 2002, the group introduced their second single and video, "Melt Me Down." Rich explained the song as "[incorporating] the universal theme of having the freedom to express yourself however you want." The track was featured on the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 soundtrack.
Critical reception
Burning the Process was largely well received. Allmusic's Bradley Torreano noted the album's resurrection of mid '90s alternative metalAlternative 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:...
and particularly obvious Helmet
Helmet (band)
Helmet is an alternative metal band from New York City formed in 1989. Founded by vocalist and lead guitarist Page Hamilton, Helmet has had numerous lineup changes, and Hamilton has been the only constant member....
influence. He praised Rich's vocal abilities and the track "Stares" while noting "Even Worse" as one of "the only low points of an otherwise impressive debut." Torreano regarded the Burning the Process as demonstrating "a band with a lot of promise and ambition" and wide appeal.
Gary Graff of Revolver
Revolver (magazine)
Revolver is a bi-monthly rock and heavy metal magazine published by Future US. Before covering heavy metal, rock & hard rock solely, it was a more mainstream oriented magazine. The magazine is structured in a manner similar to publications such as Spin while covering many avenues within the heavy...
considered it "a powerful debut, certainly a meaty dish that's served with a minimum of garnish-free of raps, loops, and samples." Metal Edge
Metal Edge
Metal Edge was a magazine covering heavy metal music published by Zenbu Media. It was founded in the summer of 1985, during the height of Glam metal's success.Both Metal Edge and its sister publication, Metal Maniacs, ceased operations in 2009....
writer Mike Magnuson commended the lyrical purpose behind the album's tracks. Burning the Process also gained approval from smaller magazines including HITS and Mean Street who commended its "sense of melodic dynamics."
Track listing
All music by Pressure 4-5.Album
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
177 |
| 2001 | Heatseekers Albums Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... |
5 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | "Beat the World" | Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks Mainstream Rock Tracks Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks is a ranking in Billboard magazine of the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations, a category that includes stations that play primarily rock music. Modern rock tracks are counted in the Alternative Songs chart.This chart began with the March 21, 1981, issue... |
39 |