Gemini Syndrome Front Man Aaron Nordstrom Discusses The Band’s New Album, Upcoming Tour, More In New Interview

Courtesy: Century Media Records

Gemini Syndrome has been in the news a lot lately.

The band has released a handful of singles in recent months, from its forthcoming album, 3rd Degree — The Raising. The guys are also prepping to head back out on the road in support of the album, which is scheduled for release Oct. 15 through Century Media Records. Before all that happens though, front man Aaron Nordstrom took some time to talk with Phil’s Picks about the group’s new record, its upcoming tour, and one of Nordstrom’s side projects in a new interview.

Sometimes Nordstrom is clearly serious and contemplative, and at others he gets a bit lighthearted with his comments. The interview is available to read in whole below.

PP: Congratulations on the upcoming release of your new album, 3^rd Degree – The Raising.  If I recall correctly, you’ve mentioned that this album is the culmination of a trilogy of records from Gemini Syndrome.  So, talk to me if you will about how this new album connects, musically and lyrically, to its predecessors.

AN: The trilogy covers the aspects of birth, maturity, and death, through the realization of the self, the realization of death, and the realization of rebirth and awakening; A cycle that can be seen in all things in existence.  

PP: Staying on that note, did you all as a band have the intent to create a trilogy of albums right from the release of your debut album, Lux back or did things just sort of evolve from there?

AN: The plan evolved from the beginning. Yes  

PP: Gemini Syndrome released 3^rd Degree – The Raising’s lead single, ‘Reintegration’ almost a year ago, well ahead of the album’s release. That’s a pretty big span of time.  Can you offer some insight into the decision to release the song so far from the album’s release?  Were you all just still working on the album at the time or was it something else?

AN: We decided to release music in the way we did mainly due to the pandemic. We had been ready to release in early 2020 but due to the worldwide shut downs we decided to wait. However releasing singles allowed us to get music out there while people were stuck at home without giving away the full album yet.  

PP: Staying on that matter of the album’s songs, you all have released five singles since the release of ‘Reintegration.’  That is almost half of the album.  Do you see the release of anymore singles as the album’s release date nears?

AN: We will definitely doing a couple more singles and videos from this album  

PP: The singles that the album has produced have been met with pretty good response nation wide from what I’ve seen and heard.  What does that support from radio and from audiences alike mean to you all?

AN: Support means everything  Support is the means by which we are allowed to carry on doing what we love  

PP: You all are resting up and prepping to head back out on the road again next month for the next leg of your tour in support of your new album, after already spending July and August on the road.  Is everyone ready to go for this next leg, or does it get easy to get kind of settled in and too relaxed, considering how taxing tours can be? 

AN: I can speak for myself that I am 100 percent ready to get out and keep touring.  We had a really long break anyway and this is what I was made to do  

PP: The upcoming leg of your tour is scheduled to launch Oct. 28 in Chippewa Falls, WI and to run through Nov. 27 in Reno, NV.  It even includes a stop in my home state on Nov.13 in Greensboro, NC.  When did planning for this latest leg start and how long did it take to finalize everything?  What factors played into the final schedule?

AN: Oh not long.  We just made sacrifices to the goat of Mendes and it all just kinda worked out  

PP: Staying on that matter, with all three of your albums being connected, what can audiences expect from the shows’ set lists?  Will there be a mix of music from all three records or will the attention be more on this latest release?

AN: Balance is key in all things.  

PP: Changing gears for a moment, Gemini Syndrome is not the only project that you have been involved in over the past year or so, Aaron.  You’ve also done some work as vocalist for Woyote.  What can you tell me and my readers about where things stand with that band right now?

AN: Woyote is a young project that Mikey Doling asked me to sing for about a year ago   Based in Belgium, We are almost done with a full length and have played a couple shows in Belgium in September. As the timing allows you will be seeing and hearing much more from us! 

PP: Getting back on the matter of your upcoming tour, you all are bringing Ovtlier and Pushing Veronica along for the ride again.  Ovtlier is a personal favorite of mine as well as Gemini Syndrome.  For those who maybe haven’t heard either band’s music, what is it about those two bands that impressed you all so much?

AN: We work closely with PV.  We love what they’re doing, their attitude, their drive, and their music!  They’re like family.  Ovtlier was great to have on the last run and they offer a great show and great music  They’re a really fun group of people to have on the road also  Making the family bigger  We’re also bringing out Them Damn Kings this run as well   

PP: Staying on the matter of touring, live music has had a bumpy road this year.  No pun intended.  Things started out hopeful as the year opened, but as the year has progressed, it seems like more and more tours have gotten postponed or canceled altogether because of concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.  So can you offer a first hand glimpse into what it’s been like being out on the road?  Are people wearing masks?  Have there been concerns among officials and audiences or even bands about the pandemic’s impact?  What do you personally see happening with live music as we wind down 2021 and head into 2022?

AN: Everywhere is different  I’ll say this, the thing I noticed the most is that people were and are grateful to be back out and experiencing live music and people again  It’s refreshing to see  

PP: Getting back to 3^rd Degree – The Raising, it will be the band’s second album with Century Media, what with Another Century being essentially a division of Century Media.  What is it about Century Media that initially led you to sign with the label?

AN: A tarot reading I did in the Carlsbad caves  

PP: One last question before I close things out.  Thank you again for your time.  I appreciate you taking the time.  I know it’s probably way too soon to say at this point, but with the trilogy being completed with the pending release of 3^rd Degree – The Raising, where does Gemini Syndrome go from there?  Are you already looking at your next album(s)?  Do you think this trio of albums will be the band’s only trilogy?

AN: We are already writing music for the future. I am collecting ideas from the astral plane to write about. I don’t know if we will do another trilogy. Maybe a double album to complete the 23 symbolism. Who knows?  

Thanks again for your time and best of luck to you all once you head out on the road. I for one am also looking forward to the album’s release.

More information on Gemini Syndrome’s new album and live appearances is available along with all of the band’s latest news at:

Website: https://geminisyndrome.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GeminiSyndrome

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GeminiSyndrome

To keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews, go online to https://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

Like A Storm’s Upcoming Album Burns Bright

Courtesy: Another Century Records

When Century Media Records founder Robert Kampf announeced late last year that he was forming the fledgling label Another Century, the announcement was met with a mix of surprise and excitement both by those inside and outside the label. The reason being that in founding Century Media so many years ago, Kampf had founded a label that has since become known as one of the leaders in the worlds of hard rock and metal. So founding a label that focuses mainly on more mainstream acts was seen by many as a bit of a gamble. That gamble has since paid off as Kampf padded hisnew label early onby moving two hugely popular bands from Century Media’s roster to that of Another Century. The bands in question that were moved over are Fozzy and Otherwise. Their move was then followed by the addition of Awaken The Empire, The Bloodline, and Rev Theory. Now Another Century has added another band ready to break out in the form of thehard rock trio Like A Storm. The New Zealand-based band of brothers is set to release its Another Century debut album Awaken The Fire on Tuesday, February 24th. And if the album’s first two singles are any indication, Like A Storm has more than proven why it is another good addition to the young label’s lineup. The band’s cover of Coolio’s ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ is just as interesting an addition to the album. It isn’t a verbatim cover. And that perhaps is what makes it so interesting. And for those that want something softer, the band offers its share of ballad-style songs on its new record, too. All things considered, Awaken The Fire proves in the end to be one of the first breakout rock records of 2015.

Like A Storm has yet to release its Another Century debut record Awaken The Fire. But well ahead of the album’s release, the up-and-coming hard rock trio has already proven itself just as hard rocking as its radio ready American counterparts thanks to the release of the album’s first two singles. The first of those singles ‘Love The Way You Hate Me’ is metaphorical and musical middle finger to certain types of people who live to point their fingers at and judging those not like themselves. As front man Chris Brooks sings of those people, “I don’t care if I’m not good enough for you/And I don’t care if I don’t live the lie you want me to/And I don’t care what you want to think of me/Cause all you want/Is everything/That I don’t want to be/You say/I’m a freak/I say I am free/Come take a shot at me/I love the way you hate me/You say I’m insane/I say you’re afraid/I get stronger from the pain/I love the way you hate me.” The argument is driven home even more thanks to the song’s companion video in which Brooks and his brothers are surrounded by a group of extras whose faces are painted to look like skeletons. The extras interact with the band proudly donning their facepaint and relatively ragged atire as a way to illustrate the song’s lyrics. The coupling of the song’s lyrics with its companion video is just one way that the song proves itself a fitting addition to Like A Storm’s latest release. The song’s musical side is just as impressive.

The musical side of ‘Love The Way You Hate Me’ plays its own role in the song’s enjoyment. Audiences will hear in listening to the song that the brothers Brooks paid close attention to even the most minute detail of the song’s musical side. The way that the song builds from brooding to full on assault in each verse and chorus will impress any hard rock fan. The song’s bridge is perhaps the most interesting section. That is because of what seems like quite the influence from Tool thanks to the use of the digeridoo and the Danny Carey style drumming set against Matt and Chris’ guitar work. That combiantion of each element sounds like something that was lifted right from the band’s hit song ‘Forty-Six & Two.’ It’s buildup to the song’s final section and that section put the finishing touch on the song, proving once and for all why this song was a perfect first choice to introduce Like A Storm to mainstream audiences.

Not too long after the release of ‘Love The Way You Hate Me,’ the brothers Brooks released the second single from Awaken the Fire in the form of ‘Wish You Hell.’ This song is another excellent example of what makes this album so enjoyable. It starts out with a little southern bayou style sound before launching directly into the song’s full-on first verse in which Chris Brooks takes on the topic ofa rather nasty breakup. He sings in this song, “Take that knife outof my spine/And you’ll know you got the best of me/For the last time/Save your precious little lies/I won’t waste another moment/In the wake of your demise/So long/You ripped my heart away/Oh, lord/I wish you hell!” He goes on to sing in the song’s second verse, “Take one minute of your time/Look at the wreckage of the ones you’ve left behind/Face one lesson/A lesson never learned/You’re gonna get what you deserve/I wish your hell.” Brooks leaves no doubt as to the song’s message. Brooks paints here a solid anti-pity picture with his words. They are words that are sure to have a strong impact on any listener. Those lyrics set against the song’s driving musical side, it is no doubt that this song will instantly become a fan favorite once the album is released.

Both ‘Love The Way You Hate Me’ and ‘I Wish You Hell’ are prime examples of what Like A Storm has to offer on its upcoming record. Both songs are sure to be fan favorites if they aren’t already. White both songs are sure to be fan favorites in their own right, the band’s cover of rapper Coolio’s ‘Gangsta’s Paradise’ is sure to get just as much reaction from listeners. The song is not a verbatim cover of the original. The song’s musical side is largely the same. But some of the song’s lyrics have been tweaked slightly at points. At others verses have been shortened to even out the band’s take on the hit song. The end result is still a song that is just as enjoyable for audiences as the album’s current singles. Whether for those singles or this song, audiences will agree that these three songs alone will indeed awaken (or light) a fire under them to give this record a chance.

For all of the heaviness boasted throughout Like A Storm’s new album, the band also offers its own share of softer material at points, too throughout the record. Audiences will especially enjoy the powerhouse ballad ‘Break Free,’ which is essentially a person’s cry free. That is evidenced as Brooks sings, “All I want is to break free/From everything/Break free before it breaks me/There’s got to be another way/To start again.” Unlike so many other ballads out there, this isn’t just another nihilistic, oh-woe-is-me type song. Rather it presents a figure at the end of their proverbial rope but not entirely without hope. It is truly a powerful song and one more that perfectly lives up to the album’s title. ‘Southern Skies’ is just as moving as is ‘Ordinary.’ The ballads noted here are just as certain to move audiences as the album’s heavier moments. The ability to move listeners in so many different ways throughout the course of all of these songs shows great potential and talent from the members of Like A Storm. It shows once more why Awaken the Fire is an easy, early pick for one of the best new hard rock albums of 2015.

While Awaken The Fire won’t hit store shelves until late next month, audiences can still keep up with all of the latest updates from the band online in the meantime at:

Website: http://www.likeastorm.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/likeastormofficial

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.