NEW YORK (www.myspace.com/slowmotionreign) - "We're looking forward to a progressive future, filled with melody and music that provokes and is full of passion," says Slow Motion Reign keyboardist Erwin Khachikian about their self-titled debut album due out July 25 on Serjical
Strike Records (RED Distribution). It was produced by
System of a Down singer Serj Tankian, who is also the label's proud owner.
The first single, "Isn't It Time," will be serviced to
Modern Rock radio early June.
The members of Slow Motion Reign-Narek Pogosyan (vocals, bass), Erwin Khachikian (keyboards), Raffik Oganian (guitars), Vigen Sayadian (drums)?first met Tankian a few years ago through mutual friends. Once the quartet tightened its sound and live show, they called him for advice and that eventually led to the band signing to Serjical
Strike in 2001. He was so impressed and moved by the band's music that he offered to sit behind the boards and be an integral part of the recording process.
"They're great songwriters in the tradition of the
Beatles and Pink Floyd," says Tankian. "Their songs are beautiful and filled with all sorts of wonderful textures. It's all very emotional and moving. It's the first outside project I've ever produced."
"Making the record with Serj was a great experience," says singer/bassist Narek Pogosyan. "He gave us the freedom to be ourselves and make the record the way we envisioned it. We've all been making music since we were kids, so the opportunity to play for a living is a dream come true."
The results are stunning. Recorded with warmth and three-dimensional depth, Slow Motion Reign's debut is hypnotic and vividly rich, brimming with lyrics and intricate chord structures as indelible as its hooks. The songs-primarily written by Pogosyan, Khachikian and Sayadian-are largely built on fragile piano-based arrangements rich with pictures. Although the album was recorded with guitarist Sam Babayan, Slow Motion Reign is now joined by guitarist Raffik Oganian, who signed onto the band in early 2006.
After showcasing their full sonic strengths on their intoxicating self-titled EP released in 2004, Slow Motion Reign has been touring extensively throughout North America. In addition to their own shows on the West Coast, the band's 2004 tours included shows with Ozomatli, Soul Sirkus (founded by
Journey guitarist Neal Schon) and Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains. The new album reflects the vibrant, melodic intensity of the EP, and a magnetically singular sound that sets the band apart from stock rock radio contemporaries.
Although their music can be reflective of the "space rock" genre, Slow Motion Reign's compositions are complex and multi-faceted beyond any single category of music.
"The purpose of our music is to bring forth a little melodic and warmer sound to rock 'n roll, that has genuine authenticity and emotion," comments drummer Vigen Sayadian. "One thing we wanted to do in our musical careers was to not make cookie- cutter music. You want to put something out that has some integrity; that has meaning."
The band will be hitting the road in the coming months, with dates to be announced shortly. Stay tuned for details.
