ABOUT THE EP
Split by the Sun was recorded in Cleveland, OH at Spider Studios by Tony Gammallo, who has worked with such diverse artists as It Dies Today, Chimaira, Misery Signals, and Drowning Pools, among others.
It was mastered by Jim Demain of Yes Master in Nashville, TN. Jim has worked with dozens of high-profile artists over his decades-long tenure in the music industry, including Steven Curtis Chapman, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jimmy Buffett, Toby Keith, and many more.
Split by the Sun is a concept EP exploring the journey one takes during the struggle to overcome life's obstacles to find meaning and purpose, metaphorically depicted as a journey taken to find home after being pulled to sea. The first track, "Riptide," describes the helplessness and anger felt as one is inexorably pulled away and pulled down by life's problems and burdens. "Edge of the Shore" describes the realization of both helplessness and gratitude as escape from the riptide is granted, though the road back to where one was before seems completely lost.
"Split by the Sun" marks a turn as God's guiding light reveals personal illumination, as manifested by the metaphor of sun breaking through the clouds. "At a Crossroad" describes the difficult personal decisions required to navigate the frequently convoluted pathways to wellness and faith, and is also a call to prioritize. The last track, "Circles," continues the theme of confusion and helplessness, though by this point, undercurrents of confidence and faith have returned as the way becomes more familiar. Finally, home is once again on the horizon.
ABOUT THE BAND
Invicta began rather loudly in a college dorm room, guitarist/songwriter DJ Adkins and singer Mike Schii both combining musical talents and influences to create a sound clearly distinctive from the stagnating confines of the metal genre as a whole. Complex melodies and multi-faceted harmonies reminiscent of Alice in Chains combined with intricate guitar riffs in the vein of Between the Buried and Me, adding crushing breakdowns influenced by metalcore staples like August Burns Red to round things out. The final effect was a style of metal that could be many things to many listeners-- brutal for the heavy fans, melodic and beautiful for critics of metal, intelligent and multi-layered for the sophisticates, and meaningful and uplifting for those awaiting a message.
God’s Hand was at work in and with Invicta soon after completion of the group’s first set of songs, adding Theo Carnavos’ intensely technical proficiency with the bass, Michael Thompson's talented skill with the guitar, and Bryant Lowry’s progressive mastery at the drums.
***
Our influences are diverse, spanning genres ranging from funk and jazz to classical, to progressive and metalcore. Influences include Mudvayne, Between the Buried and Me, Alice in Chains, Alter Bridge, August Burns Red, Sky Eats Airplane, Pat Metheny, George Bensen, Chic Corea, Godsmack, Disturbed, Slipknot, Korn, Deftones, Symphony X, It Dies Today and many others.
We aim to be the bridge for the average listener between what they see as unfathomably complex technical prog and boring commercial metal; a music that the musician can appreciate for its intelligence and intricacy, but, simultaneously, a music that the average listener can find compelling, engaging, and interesting.
Instrumentation
Theo Carnavos - Bass
Mike Schii - Vocals
DJ Adkins - piano, Lead Guitar, Classical Guitar, Back Up Vocals
Mike Thompson - Guitar
Read more...