Element Eighty

After taking a few months to pursue personal interests Element Eighty has finally returned to doing what they do best... Writing ballistic tracks guaranteed to keep the fans in an uproar. They have recently begun recording their new album slated for an early 2008 release, as well as signing a distribution deal for a global release of their independent album "The Bear" (look for it soon at a store near you). It is safe to say that the band has returned to their heavier roots, yet at the same time they are as influenced by melody and technicality as you could ever imagine. Be prepared to hear and see more Element Eighty than ever before.

There probably isn't an up-and-coming hard-rock act in the world that, to some degree, has not been influenced by Metallica. Element Eighty is no exception, but, as guitarist Matt Woods explains, the impact of Metallica on his band isn't quite as obvious as listeners might assume. "I was in a physical science class in the ninth grade, and was trying to think of a name for the group," recalls the 22-year-old musician. "I remembered that Metallica got their name from the periodic table, so I started scanning through it and saw that mercury was the eightieth element. It's also the heaviest liquid metal, which I thought was kind of cool and went along with the whole heavy-metal vibe."

Formed in Tyler, Texas, Woods and the other members of the group--vocalist Dave Galloway, drummer Ryan Carroll and Roon, the bass player--have fashioned a unique musical chemistry that's altogether electrifying. Blending brilliant hooks with head-banging harmonies, Element Eighty unites the finest... what else?elements from the metal and mainstream rock realms into a compositional concoction that'll soon be exploding from speakers around the globe.

"We like heavy riffs, but we also try to bring in a good deal of melody," says Galloway. "A lot of people seem to think that, to be heavy, you have to play just as fast as you can. That's totally untrue. We work on playing really tight together, because playing tight makes you heavier, but we also work to write songs that have lots of emotion; that is, songs that people can relate to and understand. We want something they can sing along to, but at the same time, halfway through they can slam into their best friend. So we try to be heavy, but offer plenty of hooks and memorable parts, too."

That mix of heaviness and hooks clearly comes through on the band's self-titled debut Republic/Universal Records CD. The effort, set for release on October 28, was produced by Scott Humphrey (Rob Zombie, Powerman 5000). In fact, according to Woods, the first single from that recording, "Broken Promises," encapsulates everything that Element Eighty is striving to achieve through their music. "It feels like the entire album in one song," he claims. "It has both the heaviness and the melodiousness we're looking for. It really hits every genre that we touch upon on the CD."

A key constituent in successfully delivering those sentiments is Galloway's versatile voice. His mind-blowing delivery, which can instantly morph from a smooth whisper to an earsplitting wail, is downright dramatic. Coupled with Carroll's authoritative drumming and Roon's deep bass beats, it's an amazing attribute that is at times harrowing but invariably harmonious.

"There weren't really any rock stations around where I was growing up," explains Galloway. "All I got to listen to was pop, so I learned about hooks and vocal melodies and things like that. But later on I got introduced to heavier music and liked it. I liked the screaming and the singing, and I wanted to do both, especially when we started Element Eighty, because the music called for it." "Dave could milk girls with a ballad on his acoustic guitar and that would just piss us off," adds Woods, offering a more detailed--and humorous--reason for Galloway's burgeoning interest in hard-rock music. "We'd go to a party, he'd bring out the guitar and the chicks would be all over him. He'd steal all the attention, but then I was like, 'Dude, get with it...' I started trying to get him to listen to heavy stuff, and he started to learn how to get that rasp in his voice. Now he offers the best of both worlds."

Whether performing hard-as-nails noise or radio-rock riffs --oftentimes within the same song--Element Eighty truly does intertwine, in a thoroughly original manner, sounds and ideas from throughout the musical spectrum. With influences that range from Smashing Pumpkins and Tool to Led Zeppelin and, Pantera, their sound is altogether fresh and yet, somehow, familiar. "We're striving to be the tightest band in the world," proclaims Woods. "All respect to other bands, but every time we go on stage we're out to kill. We're out for blood. We really want to steal the show every night."

With that do-or-die performance attitude, coupled with music that's both innovative and important, there's little question that Element Eighty has the right chemistry for success.

Element Eighty - heaviest element rising on its own
By David Utorka

Being signed to a major label isn't always what it's cracked up to be. Take, for example, Dallas' own Element Eighty. Formerly signed to Universal Records, the band went through its own catharsis, first parting company with Universal by mutual agreement, then firing their management company, and finally replacing original member, Roon (bass), who left the band last December. None of that has slowed the band down. They're revamping their business model with one goal in mind - do it themselves.

"We run our management, we run our finances and our Street Team," says David Galloway, vocalist for the band. "If you're business savvy, you can make a good career of it. You can be closer to your fans- and have control."

Taking this approach hasn't hurt the band. Performing constantly across the state, the band draws sold out crowds from one town to the next. "We're able to sell out clubs without major label support," David offers, pointing to the line of kids waiting to get in at a recent appearance at Club Indigo in Deep Ellum.

One key ingredient in this model is to acquire sponsorships. Element Eighty has support from Gravel Skate Gear, Dickies Clothing and Jagermeister. "Gravel wants to help put us out on the road, and we're hoping to get Jagermeister to help with the east coast as well," he states.

While they have label interest, Galloway isn't in a hurry to make any rash decisions. "After you've been through what we have, you become more cautious and educate yourself on what to do and what not to do. I wouldn't rule out signing with another label, but for now we're happy with the way things are going."

A sure sign of the industry interest in the band - the band still does not own its own Internet domain name. "Universal picked it up again in March for two years, but we're working to get it back."

Above all else, Galloway offers the most-fitting advice - "Bands should show appreciation to their fans and work together with other bands. It's all about teamwork," he enthusiastically offers.

The band is currently recording the follow up to their Universal Records' disc with plans for a summer release.