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The origins of Tooth & Nail’s highly heralded hard rock acquisition The Letter Black actually dates back to the members timein Breaking the
Silence. After forming in 2006, the group entered the studio independently with Travis Wyrick (P.O.D.,Pillar, Disciple), followed by an
impressive streak of 150 shows a year including a last minute call from the T&N to serve as asubstitute for a broken up band on the otherwise
successful Five 4 Five Tour alongside Dizmas and Children 18:3 (with justtwo weeks notice), and more recently, Skillet’s immensely
successful Awake and Alive Tour. Betwee ...read more
The origins of Tooth & Nail’s highly heralded hard rock acquisition The Letter Black actually dates back to the members timein Breaking the
Silence. After forming in 2006, the group entered the studio independently with Travis Wyrick (P.O.D.,Pillar, Disciple), followed by an
impressive streak of 150 shows a year including a last minute call from the T&N to serve as asubstitute for a broken up band on the otherwise
successful Five 4 Five Tour alongside Dizmas and Children 18:3 (with justtwo weeks notice), and more recently, Skillet’s immensely
successful Awake and Alive Tour. Between constant contact withthe label through that all-star producer and their new manager, the
Uniontown, Pennsylvania-based band turned their backson other label offers and signed by the dotted line
Upon making it to the major label ranks, the group stumbled upon a similarly named mainstream band and soon shiftedfrom Breaking the
Silence to The Letter Black after a suggestion that stemmed from a joke between legendary Helmet frontman Page Hamilton and manager
Danny Hill. Outside of having a curious ring to it, the new moniker better encapsulates theband’s aggressive instrumental onslaught and
literate lyrical disposition.
“All of us go through different chapters in our lives,” suggests guitarist/co-songwriter Mark Anthony. “In these chapters, wewrite letters of
good and bad times. Some letters in our chapters, we are happy to share. Others, we are not so proud of.The Letter Black reminds us of the
past mistakes we have made and helps us remember to not keep making the samemistakes.”
After debuting with the aptly titled Breaking the Silence EP, the group expounds upon those poignant reflections all themore on its full-length
debut Hanging On By A Thread, encapsulating back breaking rhythms within universally relatablethemes to both believers and the world at
large.
“The full-length will rock just as hard, if not harder, as the EP,” affirms front woman Sarah Anthony. “We came up with thetitle because it
puts into words how a lot of people, including myself, feel sometimes. A lot of people can relate to it, andthat’s what we want.”
“Fire With Fire” is a snarling way to start the disc, as it speaks of standing up to injustice with confidence and fearlessness,followed by
“Invisible,” which addresses feelings of restlessness and desperation, but eventually steers listeners towardsspiritual embrace as a means of
resolution. “Best of Me” revolves around making the most of the talents and gifts givenhere on earth, while “Hanging By a Thread” cries out in
desperation and finding resolution through perseverance.
“A lot of our songs on this record talk about the past and how to move forward from it,” adds Sarah. “The songs talk abouthurts and things
that we've been through, but they show that it’s possible to move on with you're life and it’s possible tolive life without walls built up around
your heart.”
All the while, the band evokes the aggressive likes of Sevendust, Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, Linkin Park, Redand Disciple, coupled
with the classic sensibilities of Aerosmith and Guns N’ Roses. Add in blistering production from thelegendary Toby Wright (Alice In Chains,
Korn, 3 Doors Down), and it’s a riveting amalgamation of female fronted ferocity,meaty melodies, gritty guitars and a thundering rhythm
section. No wonder why members have been invited to appear onstage with Hail (including Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater, Phil Demmel of
Machine Head, Dave Ellefson of Megadeth & Tim“Ripper” Owens of Judas Priest), a fellow super group jam featuring Dave Buckner of Papa
Roach, Marcos Curiel of P.O.D.,Travis Miguel of Atreau and Marcello Rapp of Soulfly, alongside Traa of P.O.D. serving as guest bassist for the
band during abenefit, not to mention tremendous impact on the Skillet tour.
“Skillet has such a great live show, so they’ve definitely inspired us to do the best we can in that aspect,” confirms Sarah.“We also gained a
lot of their fans and had so many people come up to us on the tour saying ‘I’ve never heard of you beforetonight, but you guys are my new
favorite band.’”
As for 2010, expect that trend to continue, thanks to an endless stream of concerts supporting Hanging On By A Thread,coupled with a
constant fan connectivity off stage as well. “We’d like to get on as many tours as possible, do a lot of showsand build a stronger fan base,”
sums up Sarah. “And more than anything else, we want to continue bringing hope to thosewho have none.”
http://www.myspace.com/theletterblack
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