On My Shield

Last updated

"On My Shield"
On My Shield - Converge.jpg
Digital cover art image. The physical vinyl's front cover has a die cut circular hole for the record label to show through.
Single by Converge
ReleasedJuly 2010
RecordedSummer 2010
Genre
Length4:15
Label Self-released (CONCULT01)
Songwriter(s)
[1]
Producer(s) Kurt Ballou
Converge singles chronology
"Downpour" / "Serial Killer"
(1997)		"On My Shield"
(2010)		"'I Can Tell You About Pain"
(2017)

"On My Shield" is a single released by American metalcore band Converge. It was originally made available during the band's European tour in July 2010. The single was self-released by the band, though it was distributed by Converge's labels, Epitaph Records and Deathwish Inc. The physical release does not contain a label catalog number, however Deathwish lists the single as CONCULT01. [2] The song was recorded and produced by guitarist Kurt Ballou at his own GodCity studio between the band's 2010 US and European tours in support of Axe to Fall . [3]

Contents

Release

The single was released as a limited edition 7-inch vinyl in three different colors, with each variety limited to 1,000 copies. [4] One version was sold during Converge's 2010 European tours, one was sold through the band's Epitaph webstore and the final version was distributed to various vinyl retailers. [3] [4] The single was also released through major digital music retailers later in 2010. The decision to self-release "On My Shield," instead of releasing it through their primary label Epitaph or secondary Deathwish, was made due to the large span of time since their previous 7-inch. Many of Converge's early singles and EPs were self-released, and the band wanted to put out a "fun" and "different" release in the way their older material was made available. [5] The B-side displays a laser etching of the band's shield logo, and does not feature any music. [3] [4] Vocalist Jacob Bannon explained the historical meaning behind the logo:

"The symbol was part of an 18th century medical device used to find imperfections in one's sight. We use the symbol as a visual metaphor for searching for clarity and perspective in one's life." [6]

The song "On My Shield" made its radio debut on the BBC Radio 1 program "The Rock Show with Daniel P. Carter" in July 2010. [7]

Reception

Maxwell of KillYourStereo described the song as "pure Converge," and that "musically, the band continues to write the most intriguing hardcore/punk/metal hybrid that will punish you like the new guy in prison." [8] Joshua T. Cohen of BlowTheScene noted that the intro of "On My Shield" was reminiscent of Converge's "Jane Doe" off their 2001 album Jane Doe . Cohen also commented that the song featured, "several elements that define Converge's sound, including, but not limited to extreme poly-rhythmic drumming, ambient to ultra-dense guitar licks, tastefully driving, distorted bass, and Bannon's patented vocal shred – this track has it all." [9]

Track listing

All music by Converge; all lyrics by Jacob Bannon. [10]

  1. "On My Shield" – 4:15

Personnel

Converge [10]

Production and art [10]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Converge (band)</span> American metalcore band

Converge is an American hardcore punk band formed by vocalist and artist Jacob Bannon and guitarist and producer Kurt Ballou in Salem, Massachusetts in 1990. While recording their landmark fourth album Jane Doe in 2001, the group became a four-piece with the departure of guitarist Aaron Dalbec and the addition of bassist Nate Newton and drummer Ben Koller. This lineup has remained intact since. The members have also been involved in various side-projects and collaborations, including the bands Supermachiner (Bannon), Old Man Gloom (Newton), and Mutoid Man (Koller). With their extremely aggressive and boundary-pushing sound, rooted in hardcore and heavy metal, they are pioneers of metalcore and its subgenre mathcore.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deathwish Inc.</span> American independent record label

Deathwish, Inc. is an American independent record label conceived by Jacob Bannon of Converge and Tre McCarthy in 2000. Their first release was Deeper the Wound, a split album between Converge and Japanese band Hellchild on April 23, 2001. Deathwish established itself quickly, working with a diverse group of bands and eventually becoming one of the most respected and innovative labels in contemporary hardcore punk and aggressive music in general.

<i>You Fail Me</i> 2004 studio album by Converge

You Fail Me is the fifth studio album by American metalcore band Converge, released on September 21, 2004 by Epitaph Records. The band's first release for the label, it was produced by Alan Douches and guitarist Kurt Ballou, with the artwork created by vocalist Jacob Bannon.

<i>Petitioning the Empty Sky</i> 1996 studio album / compilation album by Converge

Petitioning the Empty Sky is the second studio album by American metalcore band Converge. However, contrary to many sources, the band considers this a compilation album, being a collection of songs recorded at different times. While tracklists differ between releases, this album features studio recorded tracks along with live recordings of three songs. Petitioning the Empty Sky was released and distributed through several different labels beginning in the mid 90s.

<i>When Forever Comes Crashing</i> 1998 studio album by Converge

When Forever Comes Crashing is the third studio album by American metalcore band Converge, on April 14, 1998 through Equal Vision Records.

<i>Jane Doe</i> (album) 2001 studio album by Converge

Jane Doe is the fourth studio album by American metalcore band Converge, released on September 4, 2001 by Equal Vision Records. The album was produced by Matthew Ellard alongside guitarist Kurt Ballou, and the artwork was designed by lead vocalist Jacob Bannon. It was the band's first album to feature bassist Nate Newton and drummer Ben Koller, and the last to feature guitarist Aaron Dalbec; Converge's line-up has remained stable since.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Modern Life Is War</span> American hardcore punk band

Modern Life Is War is an American hardcore punk band formed in Marshalltown, Iowa, in 2002. During Modern Life Is War's six-year original run, the band released three full-length albums and one self-titled 7-inch EP. Despite a growing profile on the underground hardcore circuit, and garnering critical acclaim from numerous musical outlets, Modern Life Is War announced its dissolution in early 2008; however, the band reunited in 2012.

The Hope Conspiracy is an American hardcore punk band from Boston formed in late 1999. They were picked up by Equal Vision Records and Bridge 9 Records before signing a deal with Deathwish Records.

Supermachiner was an experimental music project that Jacob Bannon and Ryan Parker began writing for in 1994 and soon became a collection of four track recordings. When Converge had about six months of down time as the band searched for a drummer, Bannon and Parker found the time to resurrect that project. Bannon and Parker named the project "Supermachiner", a play on the term "Supermachinder" the compound word for Japanese giant robot toys from the 1970s. The music was very different from Converge's, having more in common with influences Swans, Bauhaus, and others.

<i>Deeper the Wound</i> 2001 studio album (split) by Converge and Hellchild

Deeper the Wound is a split album between American band Converge and Japanese band Hellchild. The album was released through Deathwish Inc. in America on April 23, 2001. Deeper the Wound was also the first album released through Deathwish. It was later released by Bastardize Records in Japan in 2006. The album features one new track from each artist, one cover song from each artist, and a few live versions of previously released tracks. The new track "Thaw" was later re-recorded and released on Converge's 2001 album, Jane Doe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jacob Bannon</span> American vocalist (born 1976)

Jacob Bannon is an American musician who is the vocalist, lyricist and graphic artist for the metalcore band Converge. He is the co-founder and owner of the record label Deathwish Inc. and the author of many visual works for independent punk rock and heavy metal musicians. Bannon has also composed and performed experimental music as Supermachiner with Ryan Parker and more recently as Wear Your Wounds.

<i>Axe to Fall</i> 2009 studio album by Converge

Axe to Fall is the seventh studio album by American metalcore band Converge, released on October 20, 2009, by Epitaph Records. It is the band's most collaborative album, featuring a number of guest musicians, including members of Cave In and Genghis Tron and Steve Von Till of Neurosis, who performs lead vocals on the slow, Tom Waits-esque track "Cruel Bloom". The album was produced by guitarist Kurt Ballou, and the artwork was created by vocalist Jacob Bannon.

<i>Converge / Dropdead</i> 2011 EP by Converge and Dropdead

Converge / Dropdead is a split EP by American bands Converge and Dropdead. The single was self-released commercially in digital and 7" vinyl formats by both of the bands on June 16, 2011, and will be distributed through Deathwish Inc. and Armageddon. Copies were also available during Converge and Dropdead's May/June 2011 tour with Trap Them and Burning Love.

<i>All We Love We Leave Behind</i> 2012 studio album by Converge

All We Love We Leave Behind is the eighth studio album by American metalcore band Converge. It was released on October 9, 2012, via Epitaph Records. The album did not feature any guest collaborators, unlike the band's previous album Axe to Fall. The album was produced by Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou and the artwork was created by the band's singer Jacob Bannon.

<i>Converge / Napalm Death</i> 2012 EP by Converge and Napalm Death

Converge / Napalm Death is a split EP by American metalcore band Converge and English grindcore band Napalm Death. The album was self-released on August 1, 2012, and features artwork by Converge vocalist Jacob Bannon. It is available on 7" vinyl and as a digital download.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cult Leader</span> American hardcore punk band

Cult Leader is an American hardcore punk band that formed in 2013 in Salt Lake City, Utah. It was founded by three members of Gaza following the band's break-up. Cult Leader signed to Jacob Bannon's record label Deathwish Inc. and have released two studio albums, Lightless Walk (2015) and A Patient Man (2018), as well two EPs through the label, showcasing a brutal sound with prominent elements of extreme metal.

Rise of the Great Machine is the debut and only studio album by the project Supermachiner. It was released on November 28, 2000, through Undecided Records. The album features artwork created by Jacob Bannon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Can Tell You About Pain</span> 2017 single by Converge

"I Can Tell You About Pain" is a single by American metalcore band Converge. It was released on July 25, 2017, as a 7-inch vinyl record via Epitaph and Deathwish, Inc., with the much longer track "Eve" as a B-side. The music video for the song "I Can Tell You About Pain" was directed by Tony Wolski.

<i>The Dusk in Us</i> 2017 studio album by Converge

The Dusk in Us is the ninth studio album by American metalcore band Converge. It was released on November 3, 2017, via Epitaph Records and Deathwish Inc, and is the band's first studio album in five years since 2012's All We Love We Leave Behind. The album was produced by Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou and the artwork was created by the band's singer Jacob Bannon.

<i>Beautiful Ruin</i> 2018 EP by Converge

Beautiful Ruin is an EP by American metalcore band Converge. it was released on June 29, 2018, via Epitaph and Deathwish. It consists of four tracks that were recorded during the sessions for The Dusk in Us. It was produced by Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou and features artwork created by the band's singer Jacob Bannon.

References

  1. ↑ "ASCAP Repertory entry for this song". ASCAP. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Converge: 'On My Sheld'". Deathwish Inc . Archived from the original on April 28, 2011. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 Paul, Aubin (July 12, 2010). "Converge announce new 7-inch". Punknews.org. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  4. 1 2 3 Shotwell, James (July 10, 2010). "Converge self release limited edition 7". Alternative Press . Retrieved July 28, 2010.
  5. ↑ "Converge Guitarist Interviewed In Croatia (Video)". Blabbermouth.net . Roadrunner. September 3, 2010. Archived from the original on September 6, 2010. Retrieved September 6, 2010.
  6. ↑ Bannon, Jacob (July 10, 2010). "Converge 'On My Shield' 7″ EP announced". The B9 (Forum). Bridge 9 Records . Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  7. ↑ Carter, Daniel P. (July 27, 2010). "The Rock Show with Daniel P. Carter". BBC Radio 1 . BBC . Retrieved July 28, 2010.
  8. ↑ Maxwell (July 29, 2010). "Converge release new 7". KillYourStereo.com. Retrieved August 3, 2010.
  9. ↑ Cohen, Joshua T. (July 21, 2010). "Converge to Self-Release New 7″ EP 'On My Shield' and World Tour". BlowTheScene.com. Retrieved August 5, 2010.
  10. 1 2 3 "On My Shield" (vinyl back cover). Converge. 2010.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.