8 Feet Deep is a 5 member band based out of New York. Band members include: Billy ‘Pills’ Fridrich-lead/rhythm guitars, bass, songwriter. Featuring: Ed Terry-vox; Bobby Rondinelli-drums; Dan Miranda-bass; Mike DiMeo-vox. They just released their latest self titled 3 song EP in 2013. New York is a colorful, sunny place and it has its fair share of unpredictability and chaos. This might just be the perfect locale to explore the realm of musical expression. This latest release delivers all of the above and will reveal all the a-typical conventions of today’s high energy Progressive Rock that so many adore. However there is an old scholl element to Eight Feet Deep that can’t be ignored. This creates a solid sonic space for the listener to bask in. The first track “Overkill Thrill” lifts off the ground nicely and is in itself an impressive kickoff statement especially how it leads one headfirst into Track 2: “Human Race.” Both tracks are remarkably striking, and successfully gravities you right away like a magnet. All songs presented deliver a stunning collection of music that slowly runs the gamut and has much to offer insofar as impressive music and captivating vocals from DiMeo. Musical comparables for me include Bright Eyes, Thriving Ivory, Broken Social Scene and Deep Purple, Rainbow and Whitesnake. One cannot help but admire artists with strong songwriting skills, off the chart chops, and truthful conviction all the while demonstrating a strong a level of creativity and strong musicianship. One senses a growing ambition as this EP advances. Eight Feet Deep showcases a powerhouse sound that will remind you of hard rock popular in the 70’s, yet with a modern day flair. Furthermore these 3 tracks really hit the mark and with intellectually stimulating lyrics providing a very real and powerful source of inspiration for old scoll rockers all dressed up with no place to go. The musicianship is rock steady and the overall production value tows the line. All in all a great set of songs. If you want a high energy, Progressive rocking staple that has an old school rock foundation there’s something on this EP for you. Obviously many will fall head over heals with these guys along the East coast. I feel this is one band that’s set up rather well for mainstream success this year within this fanbase. Some of this plays into strong marketability potential world wide. Some pieces present more modern sounding overtones but despite all this the flavor possess traditional old school Rock n’ Roll textures with some Alternative-Prog Hard Rock thrown in. This is really what makes Eight Feet Deep so enticing to me personally – especially in a live setting. Eight Feet Deep possesses an impressive look and sound and this latest 3 song EP grants you rare access to peer into the soul of a tormented soul — from a Modern day Psychedelic Hard Rock perspective shall we say.
URL: http://eightfeetdeep.net/
Final Rating: 7.5/10
Review by Blaine Calhoun edited by J.J. McCall
Review comments: johnmccall964@gmail.com
