The North Stands for Nothing

Last updated

The North Stands for Nothing
The North Stands For Nothing cover art.jpg
EP by
While She Sleeps
Released26 July 2010 (2010-07-26)
Recorded4 January – 28 April 2010
Studio
Genre Metalcore
Length23:52
27:16 (Deluxe Edition)
Label
Producer Mat Welsh
While She Sleeps chronology
Split
(2009)		The North Stands for Nothing
(2010)		 This Is the Six
(2012)
Singles from The North Stands for Nothing (deluxe edition)
  1. "Be(lie)ve"
    Released: 14 March 2011

The North Stands for Nothing is the third EP by British metalcore band While She Sleeps. The band recorded the album in a home studio between January and April 2010. It was released by Small Town Records on 26 July 2010, before later being released as a deluxe edition by Good Fight Music, featuring the single "Be(lie)ve" as a bonus track. The EP was produced by Mat Welsh, the band's rhythm guitarist. It received generally favourable reviews, with Big Cheese reviewer Lais Martins Waring championing the band as "very promising". [1] Coupled with their extensive touring following its release, the album contributed to a significant increase in the band's popularity.

Contents

Background and promotion

The North Stands for Nothing was recorded and produced at The Barn in Sheffield, England, between 4 January – 28 April 2010. [2] The Barn is a converted barn owned by guitarist Mat Welsh's father. The space is not a recording studio and is simply described by members of the band as a place where they hang-out, party and practice. [3] The album was self-produced and mixed by Welsh and then mastered by Tim Turan in Oxford, England. [2] Speaking retrospectively about the recording process, Welsh said that the album took a long time to record. Admitting that it was due to them partying, jovially suggesting that "it wouldn't have took so long if Strongbow wasn't included." [4] The North Stands for Nothing was released on 26 June 2010, through Small Town Records. Two days prior to its release, While She Sleeps held an album launch show at The Plug in their hometown. [5] In conjunction with the production company Get Deluxe, the band produced two music videos to promote tracks from the CD. The video for "Crows" features the band performing near the ruins of a nondescript building. While the video for "Hearts Aside Our Horses" features live footage from the album launch show.

Later in the year, the band signed a deal with Good Fight Music to release the mini-album in the United States – initially releasing it on 23 November 2010, as digital download only. [6] The following month, the band signed a deal with Doom Patrol to release The North Stands for Nothing in Japan on 22 December 2010. [7] In February 2011, the album was given away in its entirety as a free CD in an issue of Metal Hammer magazine. When questioned about the decision vocalist Lawrence Taylor said "hopefully it will generate more of a fanbase," while drummer Adam Savage added "we did [the album] ourselves so we haven't got any debts so we were just like 'let's give it out'." [8] In January 2011, the band recorded a new single at The Barn – subsequently releasing "Be(lie)ve" through Good Fight Music on 15 March 2011. [9] [10] The single was originally not part of the album but was added as a bonus track and released as a deluxe edition CD in the United States on 26 July 2011. [11] Later in the year, While She Sleeps signed a deal with Shock Records to release their material in Australia – seeing the release of the deluxe edition of the album on 9 December 2011. [12] On 20 February 2012, Small Town Records released a limited edition 10" vinyl version of the original album – limited to 250 copies in white and 250 copies in clear. [13]

Composition

Influences, style and themes

While She Sleeps are generally recognized by professional reviewers as a metallic hardcore [14] band and are known for their high energy and edgy sound. The recording features technical guitar picking, big riffs, heavy bass lines, crashing drums and screaming vocals. [15] When questioned about their sound, Welsh described the band as having a "raw UK vibe", adding that they like to keep their music simple and have "more a party vibe". Vocalist Taylor added that their sound is "less pure solo and just more energy." [8] Dom Wyatt of Dead Press! suggested that the band stick to the mould of a metalcore band with the adage "don't fix what isn't broken." [16] In an interview in 2011, vocalist Taylor stated that the title – The North Stands for Nothing – has two meanings and that it is open to interpretation. Explaining that being from the North of England; the people that the band know "won't take crap" while also stating that the title means that it doesn't matter where you're from (geographically) you can still "get involved" with the band's music. [8] Guitarist Welsh added that the title reflects the UK underground scene and how people will go to see a local band who are their friends and leave before seeing other bands – saying that "that's not the way it should be." [8] In an interview in 2011, Welsh explained that the lyrics on "My Conscience, Your Freedom" are about the government – specifically noting on the line "our coins can pay for the crime." [17] When questioned about the single "Be(lie)ve", Welsh said that it was about the government and religion. Taylor explained further; "we wrote about how people follow shit and don't really think about what they're following". [18]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Big Cheese Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [1]
Bring the NoiseStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [15]
Dead Press!Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [16]
Kerrang! Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [19]
Lords of Metal78/100 [20]
Metal Hammer Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [21]
The New ReviewStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [22]

Critical reception to The North Stands for Nothing was generally positive. Several reviewers noted on the balance that While She Sleeps have between melody and the heavier elements of their sound. Metal Hammer reviewer Terry Bezer, specifically complimented the track "Hearts Aside Our Horses" – enthusing that it is "a lesson in how to be both progressive and hook laden at once." [21] Adam Kennedy of Kerrang! complimented the band for putting "their own spin" on metalcore. Saying that they test and respect the genre's conventions in equal measure – specifically noting their use of a piano interlude on "Trophies" while suggesting that "tearing heads off is their forte". [19] In his review for Big Cheese , Lais Martin Wairing enthused that the band are "very promising," comparing them to Bring Me the Horizon but offering that While She Sleeps "deserve success in their own right." [1] The album also received some minor criticism, with several reviewers picking up on the short overall length of the CD and While She Sleeps' similarities to other bands. In a generally favorable review for The New Review, Jen Rochester said that the CD "is over before you know it," while concluding that "it's definitely an effort worth checking out." [22] Similarly, Dom Wyatt of Dead Press! said that The North Stands for Nothing is very similar to Hollow Crown by Architects but that it is a "cracking debut" that While She Sleeps should be proud of. [16]

Track listing

All songs written and composed by While She Sleeps.

No.TitleLength
1."The North Stands for Nothing"4:22
2."Trophies"0:39
3."Crows"3:18
4."My Conscience, Your Freedom"3:35
5."Lost Above the Arches"1:21
6."Proud of the Demon in Me"4:00
7."The Truth"2:27
8."Hearts Aside Our Horses"4:05
Total length:23:52
Deluxe edition bonus track
No.TitleLength
9."Be(lie)ve"3:24
Total length:27:16

Personnel

Release history

RegionDateLabelEditionFormatRef
United Kingdom26 July 2010Small Town RecordsOriginalCompact disc [5]
United States23 November 2010 Good Fight Music Digital download [6]
Japan22 December 2010Doom PatrolCompact disc [7]
United States26 July 2011Good Fight MusicDeluxe [11]
Australia9 December 2011 Shock [12]
United Kingdom20 February 2012Small Town RecordsOriginal Vinyl [13]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Killswitch Engage</span> American metalcore band

Killswitch Engage is an American metalcore band from Westfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1999 after the disbanding of Overcast and Aftershock. Killswitch Engage's current lineup consists of vocalist Jesse Leach, guitarists Joel Stroetzel and Adam Dutkiewicz, bassist Mike D'Antonio, and drummer Justin Foley. The band has released eight studio albums and three live performance albums. Their eighth studio album, Atonement, was released on August 16, 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Metalcore</span> Genre of music

Metalcore is a fusion genre combining elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk, that originated in the late 1980s. Metalcore is noted for its use of breakdowns, which are slow, intense passages conducive to moshing, while other defining instrumentation includes heavy guitar riffs often utilizing percussive pedal tones and double bass drumming. Vocalists in the genre typically perform screaming; more popular bands often combine this with the use of standard singing, usually during the bridge or chorus of a song. However, the death growl is also a popular technique within the genre.

Living Sacrifice is an American Christian metal band formed in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1989. The band has released eight studio albums, out of which the first three were recorded under R.E.X. Records with their original vocalist Darren Johnson as a more thrash metal and death metal oriented band. The band evolved into a groove metal and metalcore style beginning with Reborn (1997) under Solid State Records with the original guitarist Bruce Fitzhugh on vocals. In 2003, the group disbanded due to other projects and later their label, Solid State, released their best-of album, In Memoriam (2005). In 2008, Living Sacrifice reformed and released a two-song digital only single called Death Machine. They then began working on The Infinite Order which was released on January 26, 2010. Lance Garvin and Bruce Fitzhugh are the two remaining original members.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deathcore</span> Fusion of death metal and metalcore genres

Deathcore is an extreme metal subgenre that combines death metal with metalcore. The genre consists of death metal guitar riffs, blast beats, and metalcore breakdowns. While there are some precursors to the concept of death metal fused with metalcore/hardcore elements seen in the 1990s, deathcore itself emerged in the early 2000s and gained prominence beginning in the mid-2000s within the southwestern United States, especially Arizona and inland southern California, which are home to many notable bands and various festivals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trivium (band)</span> American heavy metal band

Trivium is an American heavy metal band from Orlando, Florida, formed in 1999. The band comprises vocalist and guitarist Matt Heafy, guitarist Corey Beaulieu, bassist Paolo Gregoletto, and drummer Alex Bent.

<i>Suicide Season</i> 2008 studio album by Bring Me the Horizon

Suicide Season is the second studio album by British rock band Bring Me the Horizon. It was released on 29 September 2008 in the United Kingdom and Europe through Visible Noise. The band signed a licensing deal with Epitaph Records on 11 September 2008, with the label releasing the album on 18 November 2008 in the United States.

<i>There Is a Hell Believe Me Ive Seen It. There Is a Heaven Lets Keep It a Secret.</i> 2010 studio album by Bring Me the Horizon

There Is a Hell Believe Me I've Seen It. There Is a Heaven Let's Keep It a Secret. is the third studio album by British rock band Bring Me the Horizon. It was released on 4 October 2010 by Visible Noise. The album was produced by Fredrik Nordström and Henrick Udd at IF Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden, with additional work at Sunset Lodge Studios in Los Angeles, California. It features guest vocals from Canadian singer Lights, British singer Josh Franceschi, and American vocalist Josh Scogin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rise to Remain</span> English rock band

Rise to Remain was an English, London-based heavy metal band formed in 2006 and disbanded in 2015. The band made appearances at Download Festival, Sonisphere Festival and extensively toured the UK and Europe. The band released three EPs, the majority of which were "viral" releases, via their MySpace. On 16 March 2011 they signed their first major recording contract with EMI records, which was accompanied by the launch of their website and a free single download entitled "The Serpent". Their debut album, City of Vultures, was released on 5 September 2011, nearly a year after they had started work on recording the album. It was produced by revered metal producer Colin Richardson and Carl Bown. In 2014, the band released a new single entitled "Over and Over", which would be their last musical release.

<i>Deceiver</i> (The Word Alive album) 2010 studio album by The Word Alive

Deceiver is the debut studio album by American metalcore band The Word Alive. It was released on August 31, 2010, through Fearless Records. The title derives from a passage of lyrics within the chorus of the song "The Wretched".

<i>Jerusalem</i> and <i>Dopesmoker</i> 1999 studio album by Sleep

Jerusalem and Dopesmoker are two versions of the third studio album by the American stoner doom band Sleep. The former title was released in 1999 by The Music Cartel and the latter was released by Tee Pee Records in 2003. The music for these albums comprises an extended hour-length piece, developed over four years and recorded in 1996 under the auspices of Sleep's label at the time, London Records. When recording had completed, London was unhappy with the finished product and refused to release it, leading to Sleep's disbandment and the album surfacing on bootlegs and unauthorized indie releases in subsequent years. All versions of the album received very positive reception from music critics, who described it as a high-water mark in both the stoner metal and doom metal genres.

<i>Call to Arms</i> (Saxon album) 2011 studio album by Saxon

Call To Arms is the nineteenth studio album by British heavy metal band Saxon. Call to Arms was released 3 June in Europe; 6 June in Denmark, Finland, and the UK; 8 June in Greece and Poland; 10 June in France. Previously, it was due to be released on 23 May 2011. The album was released on 27 September in North America by EMI. Current Deep Purple keyboardist Don Airey made a guest appearance on the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bury Tomorrow</span> British metalcore band

Bury Tomorrow are a British metalcore band formed in 2006 in Southampton, Hampshire, England. The band is composed of six members; lead vocalist Daniel Winter-Bates, bassist Davyd Winter-Bates, drummer Adam Jackson, lead guitarist Kristan Dawson, who replaced founding guitarist Mehdi Vismara in 2013, rhythm guitarist Ed Hartwell, and keyboardist and vocalist Tom Prendergast, who both replaced Jason Cameron in 2021. Bury Tomorrow have released seven studio albums, their most recent being The Seventh Sun, released on 31 March 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Betraying the Martyrs</span> French metalcore band

Betraying the Martyrs were a French metalcore band formed in Paris in 2008. The band's final lineup consisted of vocalist Rui Martins, guitarists Steeves Hostin and Baptiste Vigier, bassist Valentin Hauser, drummer Boris le Gal, and keyboardist Victor Guillet. At the time of their breakup in 2023, they were signed to Out of Line Music. Through their previous label, Sumerian Records, Betraying the Martyrs released four studio albums: Breathe in Life (2011), Phantom (2014), The Resilient (2017), and Rapture (2019). They also released two EPs: The Hurt the Divine the Light (2009) and Silver Lining (2022).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">While She Sleeps</span> English metalcore band

While She Sleeps are a British metalcore band from Sheffield. Formed in 2006, the group consists of vocalist Lawrence Taylor, guitarists Sean Long and Mat Welsh, bassist Aaran McKenzie and drummer Adam Savage. They are currently signed to their own label Sleeps Brothers in the UK and in collaboration with Spinefarm Records in the US and UNFD in Australia. They have released three EPs, And This Is Just the Start, Split and The North Stands for Nothing, and six studio albums, This Is the Six, Brainwashed, You Are We, So What?, Sleeps Society and Self Hell. They received the Best British Newcomer award at the Kerrang! Awards 2012. The group has maintained the same line-up since its formation, with vocalist Taylor being the only bandmate who is not an original member. Despite this, he has still appeared on every release apart from the group's first two EPs.

<i>This Is the Six</i> 2012 studio album by While She Sleeps

This Is the Six is the debut studio album by British metalcore band While She Sleeps. It was released on 13 August 2012 through Search and Destroy Records. The album was produced by Carl Bown. Intending to create a more refined product over their successful EP, The North Stands for Nothing (2010), the band began preparing the album in late 2010 to early 2011, with recording beginning on 1 November 2011 and concluding in February 2012. "Dead Behind the Eyes" debuted on 3 April 2012 on BBC Radio 1, and a music video was released later that day; the title track "This Is the Six" was teased two weeks later, and was released as the first official single from the album on 13 May 2012. Controversy followed the next day for its debut on a late-morning broadcast of Radio 1 with Fearne Cotton. "Dead Behind the Eyes" became the second official single on 29 June, followed by "Seven Hills", which had debuted on Radio 1 on 25 June and was released as a single on 6 July.

The Dead Lay Waiting were an English metalcore band from Swindon, Wiltshire, formed in 2007 by the means of a local rock school. The group included Lucy Lucas (vocals), Ben Connett, Steve Franklin, Sam Sara and Tom Shrimpton (drums).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bleed from Within</span> Scottish heavy metal band

Bleed from Within are a Scottish heavy metal band from Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, formed in 2005. The band's current lineup consists of lead vocalist Scott Kennedy, drummer Ali Richardson, bassist Davie Provan, lead guitarist Craig Gowans, and rhythm guitarist, clean vocalist Steven Jones. The band has released six studio albums and three EPs, with their latest Shrine released on 3 June 2022 through Nuclear Blast.

<i>You Are We</i> 2017 studio album by While She Sleeps

You Are We is the third studio album by British metalcore band While She Sleeps. The band decided to release it through their independent label Sleeps Brothers, and funded the album through PledgeMusic. It was released on 21 April 2017 in collaboration with SharpTone Records, Arising Empire and UNFD. The album was produced by the band themselves and Carl Bown.

<i>So What?</i> (While She Sleeps album) 2019 studio album by While She Sleeps

So What? is the fourth studio album by British metalcore band While She Sleeps. It was released on 1 March 2019, through the band's independent label Sleeps Brothers, in collaboration with Search and Destroy, Spinefarm Records, UNFD, and Universal Music. The album was produced by the band themselves and Carl Bown.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Martins Waring, Lais (July 2010). "While She Sleeps – The North Stands For Nothing Review". Big Cheese .
  2. 1 2 The North Stands For Nothing (Mini album). While She Sleeps. Small Town Records. 2010.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  3. ↑ Hevy Festival Interview: While She Sleeps. Bring the Noise. 21 August 2011. Event occurs at 2:12.
  4. ↑ While She Sleeps interview from Drop Dead presents in Sheffield. Delayed. 19 December 2010. Event occurs at 3:08.
  5. 1 2 "While She Sleeps – The North Stands For Nothing. Album Launch". The Plug. 24 June 2010. Archived from the original on 4 November 2010. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  6. 1 2 "While She Sleeps Signs With Good Fight Music". Blabbermouth.net . 15 October 2010. Archived from the original on 4 January 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  7. 1 2 "The North Stands For Nothing – Japan". Doom Patrol. 2010. Archived from the original on 8 March 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  8. 1 2 3 4 While She Sleeps Video Interview. Bring the Noise. 9 March 2011.
  9. ↑ "WSS working on new single". While She Sleeps . 5 January 2011. Archived from the original on 6 June 2022. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  10. ↑ "Be(lie)ve – single". iTunes . Apple Inc. 15 March 2011. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  11. 1 2 "While She Sleeps – The North Stands For Nothing". AllMusic. 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  12. 1 2 "Sheffield 5-piece While She Sleeps signs to Shock Records to release debut mini-album The North Stands For Nothing". May The Rock Be With You. 13 December 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  13. 1 2 "News: While She Sleeps release 'The North Stands For Nothing' on 10" vinyl!". Dead Press!. 20 February 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
  14. ↑ "While She Sleeps 'The North Stands for Nothing' Review | News | Metal Hammer". Archived from the original on 7 April 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  15. 1 2 Harris, Marianne (July 2010). "Mini Album: While She Sleeps – The North Stands For Nothing". Bring the Noise. Archived from the original on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  16. 1 2 3 Wyatt, Dom (22 July 2010). "Album: While She Sleeps – The North Stands For Nothing". Dead Press!. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  17. ↑ While She Sleeps – Behind the INK with Mat Welsh // PitCam.TV. PitCam. 10 June 2011.
  18. ↑ While She Sleeps Interview, Slam Dunk Festival 2011. Delayed. 7 June 2011.
  19. 1 2 Kennedy, Adam (July 2010). "While She Sleeps – The North Stands For Nothing Review". Kerrang!.
  20. ↑ "While She Sleeps – The North Stands For Nothing Review". Lords of Metal. July 2010. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  21. 1 2 "While She Sleeps 'The North Stands For Nothing' Review". Metal Hammer . 10 February 2012. Archived from the original on 7 April 2013. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  22. 1 2 Rochester, Jen (13 November 2012). "While She Sleeps – The North Stands For Nothing". The New Review. Archived from the original on 26 May 2012. Retrieved 5 June 2012.

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.