Level of Intensity (1999-2001)
Encyclopedia
Level of Intensity
A Philadelphia Hardcore-metal band, lasting from the summer 1999 until the summer of 2001. LOI started with 3 members and then grew to 5 members within the next year. They released 2 records: "Body Bag plus Noise Reducer" (Dec 2000) which was a split EP with Johnny Playwrong Syndicate, and a self-release EP "The Nearness of Death Exalts Life" (July 2001).
LOI played about 20+ shows from October 2000, until their last show in July 2001. They played around with such bands as A Life Once Lost
(ALOL), Between the Buried and Me
(BTB&M), ZAO, Punishment, With Immortality (WI), Payback, Johnny Playwrong Syndicate (JPS), Evil Divine, Malevolent Creation
, and many other local PA Hardcore acts.
LOI started as most hardcore bands do, being fans of metal who wanted to play their own mixture of the best parts, while throwing in a few creative twists to create their own style. LOI songs were written in segments or sections like a story (ex: part A -> E). Most parts, sections, or segments didnt repeat and their transitions were a key signature of their sound. The songs built up the melody and always had a few killer breakdowns. This, which was sort of remeniscent of bands like Candiria
and Cryptopsy
, who played major influences on their style. And of course their sound still embraced the classics like 0ld-Metallica
, Megadeth
, Slayer
, Carcass
, Cradle of Filth
, Converge
, Lamb of God
, etc...which added to the quality of their style.
The band officially started in the summer of 1999 with Brent and Jon trying to piece together a new band from the old one that fell apart. Eric was Jon's neighbor, so when he found out that Eric played guitar
and also loved metal, he auditioned him and asked him to join as the second guitar player. The pieces slowly came together after that. They spent the rest of that first summer writing songs, experimenting, as well as trying new directions to take the band in. Their goal was to create a new sound and do something more original that metal has not seen yet.
The following summer (2000) they finally landed a drummer, Andy, who also played guitar and assisted in the song writing process. After a year or so of struggling to put all these pieces together so they could start playing shows, they now had enough members to play out, however, they were still missing a bass player
. As songs were coming alive and the band began to grow more efficiently, they quickly decided what direction they all wanted to go in. However, this soon would also be their demise..very, very short-lived.
Their first show was in Drexel Hill
in October 2000, at a church with a bunch of local metal bands. One band in particular, Payback, who LOI opened for were playing their last show. This is when they met Joe and recruited him as their new bass player. This worked out very well since Joe had been in the scene for awhile and knew what elements to bring to the group. So at this point in the bands short career, all 5 members were now all on the same page. In December 2000, with everything working in the bands favor LOI decided to go into the studio for the first time to record some of their material. What they got was "Body Bag plus Noise Reducer" after Jon collaborated with JPS (ex-Payback members) and talked them into recording a split EP. LOI recorded the first 5 songs on the EP, which were the best 5 songs they had been working on that summer and fall. At last, They got to see what they really sounded like after all the time they had invested (minus a noisy practice space).
After it's release in January 2001 at a show at The Wayne Pres Church, LOI soon grew its local fanbase and started playing shows consistently throughout the winter and spring. They played in classic underground venues like the Killtime and the Rotundha. They also frequently played YMCA events, getting their name and music out across the country. They were offered to tour the midwest with ALOL and other acts, however, they decided to work on another EP real quick to get out some more material. They were even possibly considering making a full-length LP. In February 2001, the band played with JPS and WI at a benefit show at the Dungeon in Upper Darby which is where all 3 bands have recorded music at one point in their career. It was also the place where the split EP between LOI and JPS was born back in December the year before. This show was recorded 2.16.01, and a promo with 3 songs from each band was distributed. Only a few copies exsist today. It was not one of LOI best shows as they had technical problems throughout the whole show with feedback, broken strings, misfunctioning power sources, etc..therefore the band only used 2 tracks that were clear and played well: Cheribum and Ran/Grain were issued and not what they intended to use since "Cheribum" had now been on every release the band had done, and "Ran/Grain" was so amateur to them at that point it was almost a step back they felt.
At the end of March 2001, the band was all over the place etting side tracked. Things seemed well in the world, but they could feel themselves starting to grow apart. It got to the point where they would start something, attempt to finish, and then pick up something totally new. This began to frustrate everyone, and soon the struggle for power and control took over creating a great deal of anamosity between members. Sooner than later everyone became bored and stagnant, and wanted to just do other things. Brent on a few occaisions didnt even show up to the gigs, which made Jon and Joe step it up vocally. "No one was having any fun and it started to become a chore. It happened way to soon, and when 3/5 of the band isnt into it. It was time to call it quits." They finished the EP they were working on in late May 2001 and announced that there last show would in July sometime. Everything seemed to come together for LOI at the right time. However, anamosity and other priorities would lead to the death of this band as quick as it began.
Their last show was in Lancaster
, Headlining a Basement show with a few other local bands in late July 2001. It was also the release party of their first&last EP "The Nearness of Death Exalts Life", which was a condensed 5 song demo that contained their best songs over that 2 year timespan. The Most Notable Song was a reworked version "Cheribum" written by Eric and Jon during the summer of 2000, and was first featured on the split EP with JPS. The gang vocals were provided by friends of the band and used in the transition/chorus which is the essence of the song. It was usually segued from "Raining Blood
" by Slayer, and this was the only cover song the band did.
After the breakup, the band casually kept in touch. Talks of a reunion would come and go but never happened. 10 years later, all that's left is a few CDs and shirts lying around. In the end they believed they accomplished their goal which was to create something new and make it a part of time that was really fun.
typical set:
Intro>subtle beauty of winter, lies>ran against the grain of my skin, Life comes so clear, tough to be an angel in the devils arms, last days
E: raining blood>cheribum
(used from March - April '01, ref: killtime West Philly, PA)
was:
Eric-Guitar/Vocals
Jon-Guitar/Vocals
Brent-Lead Vocals
Joe-Bass/Vocals
Andy-Drums
PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL METAL SCENE
pahardcore.com
A Philadelphia Hardcore-metal band, lasting from the summer 1999 until the summer of 2001. LOI started with 3 members and then grew to 5 members within the next year. They released 2 records: "Body Bag plus Noise Reducer" (Dec 2000) which was a split EP with Johnny Playwrong Syndicate, and a self-release EP "The Nearness of Death Exalts Life" (July 2001).
LOI played about 20+ shows from October 2000, until their last show in July 2001. They played around with such bands as A Life Once Lost
A Life Once Lost
A Life Once Lost is an American metalcore band formed in 1999 in a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After releases on Robotic Empire and Deathwish Inc., A Life Once Lost released their successful album, Hunter on Ferret Music in 2005...
(ALOL), Between the Buried and Me
Between the Buried and Me
Between the Buried and Me is an American heavy metal band from Raleigh, North Carolina. They have released a total of five studio albums, as well as a cover album, an EP and a live DVD/CD...
(BTB&M), ZAO, Punishment, With Immortality (WI), Payback, Johnny Playwrong Syndicate (JPS), Evil Divine, Malevolent Creation
Malevolent Creation
Malevolent Creation is a death metal band originally hailing from Buffalo, New York. Moving to Florida in 1987, they became a part of the emergent local death metal scene, landing a deal with Roadrunner Records...
, and many other local PA Hardcore acts.
LOI started as most hardcore bands do, being fans of metal who wanted to play their own mixture of the best parts, while throwing in a few creative twists to create their own style. LOI songs were written in segments or sections like a story (ex: part A -> E). Most parts, sections, or segments didnt repeat and their transitions were a key signature of their sound. The songs built up the melody and always had a few killer breakdowns. This, which was sort of remeniscent of bands like Candiria
Candiria
Candiria are an American band from Brooklyn, New York. They blend various styles of music, including heavy metal, hardcore, jazz, hip hop and ambient. Candiria have often dubbed their sound "urban fusion".- History :...
and Cryptopsy
Cryptopsy
Cryptopsy is a Canadian technical death metal band from Montreal, Quebec, formed in 1988. The band has sold over 300,000 records.-Necrosis :...
, who played major influences on their style. And of course their sound still embraced the classics like 0ld-Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
, Megadeth
Megadeth
Megadeth is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California which was formed in 1983 by guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine, bassist Dave Ellefson and guitarist Greg Handevidt, following Mustaine's expulsion from Metallica. The band has since released 13 studio albums, three live albums, two...
, Slayer
Slayer
Slayer is an American thrash metal band formed in Huntington Park, California, in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. Slayer rose to fame with their 1986 release, Reign in Blood, and is credited as one of the "Big Four" thrash metal acts, along with Metallica, Megadeth and...
, Carcass
Carcass (band)
Carcass are an extreme metal band from England, who formed in 1985 and disbanded in 1995. A reunion was enacted in 2008 without one of its original members, drummer Ken Owen, due to health reasons....
, Cradle of Filth
Cradle of Filth
Cradle of Filth are an English extreme metal band, formed in Suffolk in 1991. The band's musical style evolved from black metal to a cleaner and more "produced" amalgam of gothic metal, symphonic black metal, and other extreme metal styles, while their lyrical themes and imagery are heavily...
, Converge
Converge (band)
Converge is an American band from Salem, Massachusetts. Playing a blend of hardcore punk and metal since 1990, Converge has helped to define many of the elements of the metalcore genre.-Description:...
, Lamb of God
Lamb of God (band)
Lamb of God is an American heavy metal band from Richmond, Virginia. Formed in 1994, the group consists of vocalist Randy Blythe, guitarists Mark Morton and Willie Adler, bassist John Campbell, and drummer Chris Adler...
, etc...which added to the quality of their style.
The band officially started in the summer of 1999 with Brent and Jon trying to piece together a new band from the old one that fell apart. Eric was Jon's neighbor, so when he found out that Eric played guitar
Guitar
The 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...
and also loved metal, he auditioned him and asked him to join as the second guitar player. The pieces slowly came together after that. They spent the rest of that first summer writing songs, experimenting, as well as trying new directions to take the band in. Their goal was to create a new sound and do something more original that metal has not seen yet.
The following summer (2000) they finally landed a drummer, Andy, who also played guitar and assisted in the song writing process. After a year or so of struggling to put all these pieces together so they could start playing shows, they now had enough members to play out, however, they were still missing a bass player
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
. As songs were coming alive and the band began to grow more efficiently, they quickly decided what direction they all wanted to go in. However, this soon would also be their demise..very, very short-lived.
Their first show was in Drexel Hill
Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania
Drexel Hill is a census-designated place in Upper Darby Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. Drexel Hill is located southwest of Center City, Philadelphia and is part of the Philadelphia metropolitan area...
in October 2000, at a church with a bunch of local metal bands. One band in particular, Payback, who LOI opened for were playing their last show. This is when they met Joe and recruited him as their new bass player. This worked out very well since Joe had been in the scene for awhile and knew what elements to bring to the group. So at this point in the bands short career, all 5 members were now all on the same page. In December 2000, with everything working in the bands favor LOI decided to go into the studio for the first time to record some of their material. What they got was "Body Bag plus Noise Reducer" after Jon collaborated with JPS (ex-Payback members) and talked them into recording a split EP. LOI recorded the first 5 songs on the EP, which were the best 5 songs they had been working on that summer and fall. At last, They got to see what they really sounded like after all the time they had invested (minus a noisy practice space).
After it's release in January 2001 at a show at The Wayne Pres Church, LOI soon grew its local fanbase and started playing shows consistently throughout the winter and spring. They played in classic underground venues like the Killtime and the Rotundha. They also frequently played YMCA events, getting their name and music out across the country. They were offered to tour the midwest with ALOL and other acts, however, they decided to work on another EP real quick to get out some more material. They were even possibly considering making a full-length LP. In February 2001, the band played with JPS and WI at a benefit show at the Dungeon in Upper Darby which is where all 3 bands have recorded music at one point in their career. It was also the place where the split EP between LOI and JPS was born back in December the year before. This show was recorded 2.16.01, and a promo with 3 songs from each band was distributed. Only a few copies exsist today. It was not one of LOI best shows as they had technical problems throughout the whole show with feedback, broken strings, misfunctioning power sources, etc..therefore the band only used 2 tracks that were clear and played well: Cheribum and Ran/Grain were issued and not what they intended to use since "Cheribum" had now been on every release the band had done, and "Ran/Grain" was so amateur to them at that point it was almost a step back they felt.
At the end of March 2001, the band was all over the place etting side tracked. Things seemed well in the world, but they could feel themselves starting to grow apart. It got to the point where they would start something, attempt to finish, and then pick up something totally new. This began to frustrate everyone, and soon the struggle for power and control took over creating a great deal of anamosity between members. Sooner than later everyone became bored and stagnant, and wanted to just do other things. Brent on a few occaisions didnt even show up to the gigs, which made Jon and Joe step it up vocally. "No one was having any fun and it started to become a chore. It happened way to soon, and when 3/5 of the band isnt into it. It was time to call it quits." They finished the EP they were working on in late May 2001 and announced that there last show would in July sometime. Everything seemed to come together for LOI at the right time. However, anamosity and other priorities would lead to the death of this band as quick as it began.
Their last show was in Lancaster
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster is a city in the south-central part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is the county seat of Lancaster County and one of the older inland cities in the United States, . With a population of 59,322, it ranks eighth in population among Pennsylvania's cities...
, Headlining a Basement show with a few other local bands in late July 2001. It was also the release party of their first&last EP "The Nearness of Death Exalts Life", which was a condensed 5 song demo that contained their best songs over that 2 year timespan. The Most Notable Song was a reworked version "Cheribum" written by Eric and Jon during the summer of 2000, and was first featured on the split EP with JPS. The gang vocals were provided by friends of the band and used in the transition/chorus which is the essence of the song. It was usually segued from "Raining Blood
Raining Blood
"Raining Blood" is a song by the American thrash metal band Slayer. Written by Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King for the 1986 studio album Reign in Blood, the concept deals with religion, specifically said to be about overthrowing Heaven...
" by Slayer, and this was the only cover song the band did.
After the breakup, the band casually kept in touch. Talks of a reunion would come and go but never happened. 10 years later, all that's left is a few CDs and shirts lying around. In the end they believed they accomplished their goal which was to create something new and make it a part of time that was really fun.
typical set:
Intro>subtle beauty of winter, lies>ran against the grain of my skin, Life comes so clear, tough to be an angel in the devils arms, last days
E: raining blood>cheribum
(used from March - April '01, ref: killtime West Philly, PA)
was:
Eric-Guitar/Vocals
Jon-Guitar/Vocals
Brent-Lead Vocals
Joe-Bass/Vocals
Andy-Drums
PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL METAL SCENE
pahardcore.com