Earthtone9
Encyclopedia
earthtone9 is an alternative metal
band hailing from Nottingham
, UK
. Their line-up on most of their major releases was Karl Middleton on vocals, Owen "Oz" Packard, Joe Roberts on guitar, Graeme Watts on bass and Simon Hutchby on drums (the latter replaced for their EP Omega by Alex Baker).
and Metal Hammer
and a five-star rating in mainstream modern rock
magazine Kerrang!
After extensive touring, ...Discord was followed in 1999 by Off Kilter Enhancement. Again it was a critical success, but commercial recognition was limited. The band had more time and money to play with this time, and it is here that the classic et9 sound crystallised – harsh metal inspired by Helmet
and Neurosis
, mixed with softer textured moments, with Tool
-esque dynamics and arrangements, not to mention enigmatic song titles and lyrics (e.g. "Möe=ra (t-talk)", "i nagual eye"). Barely a year later, after the departure of original bassist Graeme Watts, the band delivered their final album – voted 16th best album of 2000 by Metal Hammer - arc'tan'gent
. It was described by et9 as the first record they were truly happy with, having for the first time not been rushed in the recording process.
During a break in touring and rehearsing following the release of arc'tan'gent, Karl Middleton briefly entered the studio to lay down additional vocals on a song called 'unhinged' by the rising post hardcore UK band Landmine Spring. The song featured on their first full length album Elephantine, which was released in 2001 via Loudspeaker records, and also lead to Landmine Spring playing on Earthtone9's autumn tour.
Hopes were high for an American record deal, and it seemed obvious to most that the climate of US radio at the time—very focused on the dominant nu metal
sound—could accommodate the cleaner side of earthtone9's output. But, ultimately, apart from some minor distribution of their existing material, all attempts fell through. They lost Hutchby (due to a mysterious skiing accident), and after struggling through for a couple of years, the band announced their dissolution in early 2002. After their farewell tour their umpteenth rejected demo saw release as the Omega EP, hinting at a more melodic direction.
In 2004, hi-point (rem), which was a remastered version of 2000's first EP hi-point, was released.
supergroup The Blueprint
.
Furthermore, Karl Middleton and Simon Hutchby are now in Twin Zero
, and Middleton is also in the Brighton-based band Blackstorm, as well as providing guest vocals on "Alpha Signal Three", a track on second album Very Fast Very Dangerous
by British rock band Reuben
. Owen Packard has played guitar and guested on the This Is Menace album on the track "No End In Sight".
. Their first gig however was at Sonisphere Festival
on Saturday 31 July 2010. On Sunday 30 January 2011, Earthtone9 announced that they will be embarking on a six date United Kingdom tour with The Ocean
, Maybeshewill
and Humanfly.
earthtone9 are searching for supporters through Pledgemusic
for their new EP For Cause and Consequence that is supposed to feature four new songs which are already in production. The EP was successfully released on 16 May 2011 featuring 4 new tracks; Tide of Ambition, Ghosts, The Trail That We Carved Out and Reborn. The EP was available for download for fans who had contributed via the pledgemusic scheme. The download also featured videos for Tat Twam Asi, Evil Crawling I and new track, Tide of Ambition.
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 hailing from Nottingham
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
, UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Their line-up on most of their major releases was Karl Middleton on vocals, Owen "Oz" Packard, Joe Roberts on guitar, Graeme Watts on bass and Simon Hutchby on drums (the latter replaced for their EP Omega by Alex Baker).
History
Signing to Copro Records in 1998, the band's first major release was the album lo-def(inition) discord, which comprised songs from their three demos with a few new tracks. Although it sounds as punchy as anything else on the British metal underground of the day, the whole record was produced on a budget of £500. Their harshest and noisiest recording, it quickly grabbed the attention of the British rock press, with favourable reviews in TerrorizerTerrorizer
Terrorizer is an American grindcore and death metal band formed in 1986 in Los Angeles, California. After disbanding, its members gained recognition by playing in influential extreme metal bands, such as Morbid Angel , Napalm Death and Nausea...
and Metal Hammer
Metal Hammer
Metal Hammer is a monthly heavy metal music magazine published in the United Kingdom by Future Publishing, and in several other countries by different publishers. Metal Hammer articles feature both mainstream bands and more unusual acts from the whole spectrum of heavy metal music...
and a five-star rating in mainstream modern rock
Modern rock
Modern rock is a rock format commonly found on commercial radio; the format consists primarily of the alternative rock genre...
magazine Kerrang!
Kerrang!
Kerrang! is a UK-based magazine devoted to rock music published by Bauer Media Group. It was first published on June 6, 1981 as a one-off supplement in the Sounds newspaper...
After extensive touring, ...Discord was followed in 1999 by Off Kilter Enhancement. Again it was a critical success, but commercial recognition was limited. The band had more time and money to play with this time, and it is here that the classic et9 sound crystallised – harsh metal inspired by 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 Neurosis
Neurosis (band)
Neurosis is a post-metal band, based in Oakland, California. They formed in 1985 as a hardcore punk band, and their sound progressed towards a doom metal style that also included influences from dark ambient and industrial music as well as incorporating elements of folk music...
, mixed with softer textured moments, with Tool
Tool (band)
Tool is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1990, the group's line-up has included drummer Danny Carey, guitarist Adam Jones, and vocalist Maynard James Keenan. Since 1995, Justin Chancellor has been the band's bassist, replacing their original bassist Paul D'Amour...
-esque dynamics and arrangements, not to mention enigmatic song titles and lyrics (e.g. "Möe=ra (t-talk)", "i nagual eye"). Barely a year later, after the departure of original bassist Graeme Watts, the band delivered their final album – voted 16th best album of 2000 by Metal Hammer - arc'tan'gent
Arc'tan'gent
arc'tan'gent is the third album by British metal band earthtone9, released by the Copro label on September 25, 2000.The album received near-universal critical acclaim on its release. It was rated #16 in both Metal Hammer and Rock Sound magazines' "Albums of 2000" polls, and #24 in Terrorizers...
. It was described by et9 as the first record they were truly happy with, having for the first time not been rushed in the recording process.
During a break in touring and rehearsing following the release of arc'tan'gent, Karl Middleton briefly entered the studio to lay down additional vocals on a song called 'unhinged' by the rising post hardcore UK band Landmine Spring. The song featured on their first full length album Elephantine, which was released in 2001 via Loudspeaker records, and also lead to Landmine Spring playing on Earthtone9's autumn tour.
Hopes were high for an American record deal, and it seemed obvious to most that the climate of US radio at the time—very focused on the dominant nu metal
Nu metal
Nu metal is a subgenre of heavy metal. It is a fusion genre which combines elements of heavy metal with other genres, including grunge and hip hop...
sound—could accommodate the cleaner side of earthtone9's output. But, ultimately, apart from some minor distribution of their existing material, all attempts fell through. They lost Hutchby (due to a mysterious skiing accident), and after struggling through for a couple of years, the band announced their dissolution in early 2002. After their farewell tour their umpteenth rejected demo saw release as the Omega EP, hinting at a more melodic direction.
In 2004, hi-point (rem), which was a remastered version of 2000's first EP hi-point, was released.
Post Break Up
All members continued to play in bands – notably, Karl Middleton joined hardcoreHardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
supergroup The Blueprint
The Blueprint (band)
The Blueprint are a rock band based in Nottingham, England. Members of The Blueprint have played in other bands including Pitchshifter, earthtone9, Consumed and Army Of Flying Robots....
.
Furthermore, Karl Middleton and Simon Hutchby are now in Twin Zero
Twin Zero
-Biography:The band's first release was 7" vinyl Earthbound on Danish label Futhermocker Records. Released in November 2004, this featured one 7 minute track split over both sides of the record....
, and Middleton is also in the Brighton-based band Blackstorm, as well as providing guest vocals on "Alpha Signal Three", a track on second album Very Fast Very Dangerous
Very Fast Very Dangerous
Very Fast Very Dangerous is the second album by British rock band Reuben, released little over a year after their debut. Song writing for this album begun as soon as the recording for its predecessor, Racecar Is Racecar Backwards had finished in September 2003. The name originates from a line in...
by British rock band Reuben
Reuben (band)
Reuben were an English three-piece musical group from Camberley, Surrey. Their music was a fusion of alternative rock and heavy metal, as their songs cover a variety of styles, ranging from heavy and upbeat, such as their 2005 single "Blamethrower" to slower, more melodic songs such as their 2004...
. Owen Packard has played guitar and guested on the This Is Menace album on the track "No End In Sight".
Re-Union
In May 2010 the band announced they were reforming "to play a handful of gigs to remind everyone just how good they were". A great hits compilation, Inside, Embers Glow…, was released for free download in July 2010. Their first announcement of a new gig came at the end of May when they were the first band confirmed for the 2010 edition of the Damnation FestivalDamnation Festival
The Damnation Festival is a one day music festival currently held annually at Leeds University, Leeds, England and organised by Gavin McInally. The 2011 edition of the festival will be held on November 5...
. Their first gig however was at Sonisphere Festival
Sonisphere Festival
The Sonisphere Festival is a touring music festival which takes place across Europe between June and August. The festival is owned by John Jackson and Kilimanjaro Live. It is jointly-promoted by K2 and Kilimanjaro Live...
on Saturday 31 July 2010. On Sunday 30 January 2011, Earthtone9 announced that they will be embarking on a six date United Kingdom tour with The Ocean
The Ocean Collective
The Ocean is an experimental metal band from Berlin, Germany. Their work combines elements of progressive metal and electronic soundscapes, occasionally incorporating strings to create their aggressive post-metal sound. The band often describes its sound as "ambient soundtrack doomrock".- History...
, Maybeshewill
Maybeshewill
Maybeshewill are an instrumental band from Leicester, United Kingdom whose music is characterised by the use of programmed and sampled electronic elements alongside guitars, bass and drums....
and Humanfly.
earthtone9 are searching for supporters through Pledgemusic
Pledgemusic
PledgeMusic is an online Direct-to-Fan / Fan-funded music platform utilising a Threshold Pledge System / Provision Point Mechanism, launched in August 2009, that facilitates musicians reaching out to their fan-base to financially contribute to upcoming recordings or other musical projects...
for their new EP For Cause and Consequence that is supposed to feature four new songs which are already in production. The EP was successfully released on 16 May 2011 featuring 4 new tracks; Tide of Ambition, Ghosts, The Trail That We Carved Out and Reborn. The EP was available for download for fans who had contributed via the pledgemusic scheme. The download also featured videos for Tat Twam Asi, Evil Crawling I and new track, Tide of Ambition.
Discography
- lo-def(inition) discord (August 24, 1998)
- off kilter enhancement (July 19, 1999)
- hi-point (April 10, 2000)
- arc'tan'gentArc'tan'gentarc'tan'gent is the third album by British metal band earthtone9, released by the Copro label on September 25, 2000.The album received near-universal critical acclaim on its release. It was rated #16 in both Metal Hammer and Rock Sound magazines' "Albums of 2000" polls, and #24 in Terrorizers...
(September 25, 2000) - Omega (April 8, 2002)
- Inside, Embers Glow... a collection of earthtone9's aural communiques 1998-2002 (June 1, 2010)
- For Cause & Consequence (May 16, 2011)
Current members
- Karl Middleton – vocals (1998–2002, 2010–present)
- Owen Packard – 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...
(1998–2002, 2010–present) - Joe Roberts – 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...
(1998–1999, 1999–2002, 2010–present) - Dave Anderson – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(2000–2002, 2010–present) - Simon Hutchby – 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 ....
(1998–2001, 2010–present)
Former members
- Alex Baker – drums (2001–2002)
- Richie Mills – drums (2001)
- Jamie Floate – bass (2000)
- Graeme Watts – bass (1998–2000)
- Simon Johnson – guitar (1999)
- Justin Greaves – drums (1998)
External links
- Official Site
- Original Site
- earthtone9|evolution, fan site - huge press archive.