Canada’s DEPLETED URANIUM is gearing up to release their album “Origins” and the first look is the track “Alpha Particles”. The single is the first of two parts, the latter being released next month. Today, we are stoked to give you the first listen of the brutal new offering, along with an interview, the band’s track by track breakdown for “Origins”, as well as their special list of top releases of the year and best Toronto acts worth a check!
Material for “Origins” was written ten years ago when the band first got together, it is a history of who they are and where they come from and it is meant to be listened to in reference to their self titled debut release, to give further perspective, the band explains the single: “Alpha Particles was an early abomination from within the first four rehearsals as Depleted Uranium, prior to having a bass player. It was the song that defined us at that time and instantly became a favourite to play live and at rehearsal. It was also our first 5/4 time in a song, which aided future songwriting and it evolved our dual vocals, which are existential and abstract.”
Throughout “Origins”, both the lyrics and the music hold a high tension and are expressed without hesitation. They are embodied with existential yet direct meaning. As a whole, the album is a statement of youth being dissatisfied with the existing conditions of reality and channeling their experience into what it is today. The resounding message from Depleted Uranium is to strive for personal freedom and to focus on what you want rather than what you don’t. This album is a path out for all of them.
“”Origins” is our band’s history of who we are and where we come from.” – says the band. “It is meant to be listened to in reference to our self-titled, debut release; Depleted Uranium, to give a perspective that will also further be referenced in our future releases.”
Both lyrics and music hold a high tension and are expressed without hesitation. “Both are relevant to our time and space of creation and are embodied with existential yet direct meaning. The Album as a whole was a statement of youth being dissatisfied with the existing conditions of reality and channeling our experience into what it is today. “If one cannot withstand the hot glow of anger upon the discovery of a wrong, then time is wasted thinking deeply”. Our band name, our lyrics, and our music are a product of the system with the right individuals as the recipe. Our message in the album is to strive for personal freedom and to focus on what you want rather than what you don’t. This album was a path out for all of us.”
Technical and confident, “Origins” is recommended for fans of Converge, Charles Bronson and Dillinger Escape Plan.
The album will be out on January 28, 2022 with the physical CD including an exclusive bonus track.
Track By Track commentary
Lyrics notes from Babak. Music notes from Andrew.
1. Depleted Uranium: Lyrically, it makes a case for general apathy towards “the system” while accepting that you’re on your own to navigate through life. No one’s coming to save you. Figure your shit out. Musically, we wanted to be in and out in under 1 minute.
2. The Tear and the Flood: Lyrically, it is ultimately about death. It’s about accepting that you will end and maybe making that happen before it happens on it’s own. Musically, it was to create the shock of transition, a before and after moment like a car accident or amputation, and you will never go back ever again.
3. Alpha Particles: Lyrically – ”Life will end, and what counts is how you felt, when you could breathe” along with the never ending quest of “why?”. Musically, it was as we do with our music, but it dawned the first 5/4 time on our journey in an attempt to fuse Power Violence with Math Metal. It evolved our dual vocals and the band as a whole. To this date we have never tired of playing it.
4. Van Halen Radiation Belt: Lyrically, this song is about the concept that morality is relative and not absolute. Things aren’t so black and white;”You’re with us or you’re with the terrorists”. Musically, it was a throw back to simplified early punk song progressions, but done our way. Get in, get ‘er done and get out.
5. Beta Particles: Lyrically, this song is about being socially marginalized. For whatever reason. It’s about society’s aim to “cure” those who are different. To assimilate or destroy vs accept, by any means necessary. Musically, it was born when we were starting to solidify in our song writing and the process was fairly quick. The big transition in the middle was due to our 4-track recorder eating the tape of the first demo recording and when we listened back, it made the song. Once Blair (2nd guitar) joined, it was the song which began highlighting the simplified dual guitar harmonies.
Continued below…
6. Counter Balance: Lyrically – “How long must I buy your lies? Shut my mouth, swallow my pride? Bow my head and kneel? While you write the pages of history in blood?”. Musically, it is our longest album song at just over 3 minutes and was originally 2 different songs which got fused together, hence the length. The end breakdown of this song sums up the journey through it, and this song truly made the music and lyrics one unit upon the end precipice of the song, along with all future rehearsals and recordings as a band.
7. Deficiencies: Lyrics – It’s hard to change people’s minds sometimes. Musically, it was a thrash rock out song written after the intensity of Counter Balance. It is meant to bring you back to why you start making music in the first place; to rock out and have fun!
8. Small Odds: Lyrics – “If you believe, there will be a brighter day”. Lyrics (Andrew) – The strive for freedom, however an individual may interpret that and never give up, learning and success are based off countless failures. Musically, another throw back to Melodic Hardcore with a mathy intro. Also a change of key from many songs on the album, the idea was keep it simple as the dual vocals are the front line.
9. Open Wound Diaries: Lyrics: This song is about suicide. Musically, it further expressed our math itch and the simplified dual guitar harmonies. It was meant to be a thunder cloud of sound, seemingly out of control yet totally calculated while giving a dark, chaotic ambiance for the lyrics.
10. Percentages (Bonus Track): Lyrics are about losing control of your own thoughts and mind to propaganda and mainstream thinking. “Too late, or not, it is your choice”. Musically, it was another fusion of 2 songs and a switch back to melody. It was recorded in 2008 and features Matt Kozma on bass (2007-2009) minus Corey (existing bass) and Blair (2nd guitar). It is also only available on the Physical CD of Origins as a Bonus Track. Throughout the song, it represents the album journey as it contains an influence of all songs on the album, and is to be listened to as the finale.
Depleted Uranium’s Top releases of 2021:
Pupil Slicer – Mirrors,
Frontierer – Oxidized
Death Goals – The Horrible and the Miserable
Converge – Bloodmoon: l
Living Weapon – Paradise EP
Local Toronto area acts worth checking out:
Goreworm
Mr. Hands
Harmonic Dissection
Battle Bear
In the Act of Violence
Dead Beyond Fear
