New York, NY (Top40 Charts) I Promised Once is a band that isn't afraid to take risks when it comes to their music. Combining elements of metalcore, djent, electronic and even hip hop, the end result covers different spectrums of heaviness and transcends genres.
Originally started back in high school with Vocalist
George and Guitarist Nils, the band was put on hold as they both moved to separate countries. However, they knew this wouldn't be the end as they promised one another that they would make music together again. The addition of Guitarist Kunio, Bassist Joe and Sho on drums solidified the line up along with Flo on Synths as well as Vocals who brought the band to a whole new level.
While the band is preparing to release their upcoming full length out (out 2017), they are no strangers to the studio. Their debut EP, "
New Blood" (Mixed by Aljoscha Sieg of Pitchback Studios, Mastered by Brian Hood of 456 Recordings was released in 2015) was met with a tremendous reaction with a sold out release show in Japan. After seeing early success, I Promised Once was eager to get back in the studio and released back to back EP's in 2016. "Dust to Dust" (Mixed/Mastered by Florent Salfati of Homeless Records) was released in April with "
The Awakening" (Mixed/Mastered by Salfati) out in December.
Even though the members may be spread out over multiple countries, that doesn't stop them from showcasing their talents live. The band has played notable Japanese festivals including 'Countdown' and 'Loud Park 16' as well as a multi country tour in support of their "Dust to Dust" release. I Promised Once has shared the stage with bands from all over the world including German bands Rats and Wolves, Shoot The Girl First from France, Palisades and A Scent Like Wolves from the U.S. and Fail Emotions from Russia. They've also played with Japanese heavy hitters Crossfaith, Crystal Lake and Babymetal.
While achieving success in just a few short years, I Promised Once is ready in 2017 to expand their horizons by signing to American based label Needful Things Records (distributed by Tragic Hero Records). Guitarist Nils explains, "As a global metalcore band, becoming part of the Tragic Hero Records family was always one of our dreams since they are well-known for signing unique bands that push the genre to new heights. When we heard that they created Needful Things Records to support bands and help grow them together with the Tragic Hero team and were interested to work with us, we jumped on the opportunity to put another Japanese band on the international map and to get our music heard by people all over the world."
I Promised Once is appropriately named as it relates to how our past influences our actions in the future.
Negative and positive experiences define you as a person and everyone has trials they need to overcome to be the person who they are today. The band kept this underlying theme in their debut full length record, "Salvation," that will be out on January 19th (January 17th in Japan). Listeners will find elements of classical/film music, djent and hip-hop intertwined with the bands signature metalcore sound. Nils explained, "We wanted to make an album with a two-way approach to push our songwriting to the next level: to become heavier, but also more melodious at the same time. Like darkness & light, one cannot exist without the other. On this album, you will find moshable tracks, but also a few songs with a slower pace."
If the past is any indication of where I Promised Once is heading, the possibilities are limitless and this is only the beginning of a bright future.
