BIO
The Chicago-based band URN (U.S.) consists of seasoned veterans of the national underground circuit. Taking its cues from acts such as Type O Negative, Trans-Siberian Orchestra as well as European bands such as Lacuna Coil, Nightwish, My Dying Bride, Paradise Lost, Moonspell, and The Cult, URN delivers an energetic live show that combines male/female vocal trade-off, churning guitars, keyboards, and steady drums.
URN is:
Dominic St. Charles - Guitars, Vocals
Mistress Sophia - Keyboards, Vocals
ian Nothing - Bass Guitar
Tracy Morrison - Drums & Percussion
Michelle Belanger - Guest Vocals
URN (U.S.) has performed throughout the past year with many acclaimed underground national acts such as The Dave Brockie Experience, The Cruxshadows, Bella Morte, Dayglo Abortions, Seraphim Shock, Gossamer, Bozo Porno Circus, Bile, November's Doom and The Babylonian Tiles. URN has been featured on many radio stations such as 94.7 The Zone and Rebel Radio in Chicago. The band has also done a simulcast with IPM Radio and various other popular internet radio stations.
REVIEWS
Vampire Church Newsletter, 2004
Hello All,
Twilight here, this month I'm grateful to the editors for allowing me to step in and fill Silver's shoes for the music review, in order to bring you a band I've become rather fond of - URN. They've recently released their EP, "Desecrated Ashes", and I'm happy to be able to share it.
The EP includes six songs, and a very special guest appearance by the vampire community's own Michelle Belanger. In addition to being a talented vocalist and songwriter who co-authored the track "Angels Are Weeping" with guitarist/vocalist Dominic St. Charles in their band Sacrosanct in the early 90's, she is well known to the community as the author of the Vampire Codex and the founder of House Kheperu. More information about Michelle and her current projects can be found at http://michellebelanger.com/.
The tracks on the EP are:
One Last Day
This track begins with somber, moody keyboards and goes right into a hard, heavy guitar intro. Vocals are wonderfully balanced between male and female, and the overall tone of the song is dark and longing. "All that I wanted from this world, is that one last day be with you"... a sentiment of things undone that many of us can surely relate to.
Embrace
This song begins with a catchy guitar riff reminiscent of some melodic metal from the 80's, but that's where the similarity ends. "Embrace the night with all of your might, go on and say the words, and do not weep for me"... overall it seems to be of finding your own way and not conforming for the sake of conformity
Father Dearest
Interesting opening on this one, starts with a bass line and has an almost middle eastern feel with the guitar. It features strong, well-blended female vocals. A strong statement about child abuse and it's aftermath. "My heart is filled with sorrow, and Daddy I still love you".
Angels Are Weeping
Tribal drum beats and somber keyboards with layered soprano over male vocals... what's not to love. This is the song co-authored by Michelle and Dominic and performed in their former band, Sacrosanct... all I can say about this one is that you have to hear it. "Dance in the graveyard and revel in sin..."
Liar in Waiting
Deep and dramatic with a wonderful break in tempo and style partway through. "Looking for answers I no longer find, wrapped in the recesses of my own mind..." The intro reminds me somewhat of 60's and 70's power rock but with more sophistication.
Little Tin Goddess
This is just about my favorite track... love the guitar work and vocals. Like the rest of the CD, dark but this one is very upbeat musically. "The lord of the night is calling to me, and all of my life I've been burning to be". I'm actually not sure what this one is about, "lol", but I like it a lot... wasn't able to get all the lyrics so I'll be listening several times more! :)
Written By: Twilight
Permission to use by the VC and Damien Daville.
CHAIN DLK, 2004
You can detect several things going on in Urn's layered industrial goth rock as presented on the CD "Desecrated Ashes". Mid-tempo guitar grooves provide a pulse while keyboards add to the layering. The percussion joins the rhythm nicely and the vocals bring in even more dynamics with the male/female switch-up. A nice gothy mood permeates the music, and it is enhanced by a strong sense of theatricality. In addition to the subdued goth metal tone, you can sense a certain folkiness (like unto what you might encounter in some power metal acts, though it's the mood, not the music, that is common to urn and aforementioned power players). Atmosphere seems to be the name of the game as the guitars provide the heaviness and the keyboards supply the ambience, with the drums even going a little ethno from time to time. The two vocalists compliment each other fairly well. Ultimately you get the sense of listening to a rock fantasy opera (which is likely the point). The main complaint I would offer is a certain flatness to the sound. One wishes for more lushness in a style like this. However, all told, if you like the Lacuna Coil approach to metal, Urn is a band to check out.
Review by: Kristofer Upjohn
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