BEGINNING THE NEXT CHAPTER: Thy Will Be Done. |
Every once in a while it’s critical to clear the air, start fresh, go back to the drawing board, and see what happens. As a band, sometimes a good idea isn’t good enough, or current enough, or relevant enough, or original enough, for that matter. This is what happened to the band now known as Thy Will Be Done. Just a few years ago, they were known as Kobalt, and things weren’t going as planned. From the late ’90s to the early ’00s, they were an aggressive metal act, but limited and vying along with dozens of other like-minded bands for the affections of a small fan base.
Kobalt grew restless and disillusioned. To deal with that restlessness, rather than break up, they blew the band up and started over. They redefined their sound, rejiggered their approach, and — voila! — presenting Thy Will Be Done. The transformation is startling. In fact, the changeover has been so effective that they have already secured a deal with Stillborn Records (distributed through EMI/Caroline) and spewed out their debut disc, Was and Is To Come. The current incarnation of the band, led by vocalist J Costa and propped up by a solid supporting quartet, is what Costa refers to as a metal band “post-9/11.” He has made a serious stab at distinguishing himself from a cavalcade of contenders. Today, the Providence quintet has a sound of its own, and momentum to go along with it, trumping by far the progress of its predecessor.
Was and Is To Come was mixed and produced by Zeus (Shadows Fall, Hatebreed), with a hand from executive producer Jamey Jasta of Hatebreed. Musically, the recording dishes out a diverse array of metallic barrages, from Pantera-like thrash and echoes of early Anthrax to southern-style sludge and more melodic acts like Killswitch Engage. It’s by turns accessible and relentless, providing a searing and balanced attack. Their track “Bloodwitness” was used on a commercial campaign for a reality show on SPEEDtv.
It’s an earnest effort to gain traction, not to mention separation from the pack. It has also allowed them to make some pretty influential friends. Over the last few years, Thy Will Be Done has provided tour support for national acts like the Misfits, Hatebreed, Killswitch Engage, Shadows Fall, and Converge. They were a main stage performer at this year’s New England Metal and Hardcore Fest, and most recently opened the Black Tyranny tour featuring Machine Head and Arch Enemy when it rolled into Worcester. From here the band will hit the road and plans to spend the rest of the year and 2008 touring. Radio support from Boston’s WAAF and Springfield’s Lazer oughta help get the word out.
Local metal could use a high-profile boost to call attention to the other deserving loud bands in the area. All it takes is one breakthrough; the others are ready and willing to charge alongside.
Thy Will Be Done + Southern Bastard Church + Debris | November 2 | Cats, 530 Broadway, Pawtucket | 401.722.0150 | kcstap.com
