Manchester, UK’s PLEIADES are gearing up to launch their debut EP on December 13th and we’re proud to host its early stream for your listening pleasure. ‘Symptoms Of The Human Being’ sees over a year of writing, rehearsing and recording come to fruition. The record brings together the band members’ influences of post hardcore and post rock to create building walls of sound and intensity, a record that’s both eclectic and sensitive, not just one or the other. With lyrical themes ranging from mental illness to family and parenthood, ’Symptoms Of The Human Being’ flows from delicate to abrasive with a moment’s notice. From here the band will be looking to grab attention with passionate live shows. The band have had a run of local shows leading up to the launch, and a music video shoot late November, to accompany. Listen below and share your thoughts below.
‘Symptoms Of The Human Being’ was recorded and mixed by Bob Cooper (NAI HARVEST, SELF DEFENSE FAMILY) at Airtight Studios in Manchester, UK and mastered by Brad Boatright (CONVERGE, EARTH MOVES) at Audiosiege in Portland, Oregon. The EP will be released independently online on December 13th.
PLEIADES are vocalist, Andy Calderbank, guitarist Andrew Packwood, bassist Josh Edmundson and drummer Calum Bowie.
The band commented on the record:
The theme that runs through the entire EP is adolescent metal illness. Our family had a few years of one of us struggling with mental illness to a severe degree and we had no way of really being able to help so were were forced to observe it and I personally gained a huge understanding on how little control people suffering actually have.
Track-by-track breakdown:
Ambience Surrounding Lazarus is based around the reliance of medication the struggle of trying to achieve a sense of normality without relying on being steered in a familiar direction by medication.
Only Second Cousin is a true story. ‘The Second Cousin’ was a figure that i thought represented the illness best as even though a ‘Second Cousin’ is part of the family it was still always a stranger to us. At its peak ’The Second Cousin’ was a constant obstacle when it came to us as a family trying to help as it manifested as a voice in her head that made her behaviour change.
Leaves Wont Land is the overcoming story where the violent distraction that had stopped her learning , being social and essentially functioning all together was no longer a priority when she became a mother. It was the ultimate distraction and has the been an incredible thing to witness as she’s grown into a mother and now it has no influence over her at all.
Living with Familiar Machines is mainly about a family finally finding relief and peace. It was an environment I was around everyday and I felt a real frustrated and helpless for a few years. The ending of the song really encapsulates the record whether it was pretending the sickness was non-existent as a way of coping or the disgrace she felt which ultimately gave way to love. The love of the family around her and the family she created in becoming a mother.
