Play: Lovers
Click here to see Luis Maldonado's exclusive GuitarTools video lesson with tablature!
[Coming soon! Watch this space!]
Track listing:
1. End Game
2. Lovers
3. The Garden
4. Broken Words
5. Phone Call
6. You and I
7. Radio
8. My Only Crime
9. Dear Father
10. Coming Home
When GuitarTools.co.uk received a copy of Into The Presence's pre-release self titled debut album, and read their press release, the first line of the cover letter read - "For fans of: Muse, Queen, Led Zeppelin, A Perfect Circle, HIM". Listen to the CD and within the first 30 seconds you realise they aren't kidding...
The band comprises drummer Tim Alexander and lead guitarist and vocalist, Luis Maldonado. You may recognise Tim as the former drummer of bands including A Perfect Circle, Primus and Puscifer, amongst other endeavours. Maldonado himself is a well renowned session and studio guitarist based in California who's worked with the likes of John Waite, UFO, Michael Schenker and Glenn Hughes.
Luis, aged 12, was already classed as a musical prodigy and studied classical guitar at the University of Arizona, and it really shows through on the album, especially on End Game. Some of that track's licks and riffs are demonstrated for GuitarTools.co.uk readers in Luis's exclusive video lesson (including tablature) found [here - coming soon!].
Luis and Tim initially met over a decade ago, keeping in touch, occasionally collaborating. Nothing substantial ever came of this friendship, until a few years ago when after changing his mind about working on a solo album, Tim contacted Luis to work on his music instead. Into The Presence was born...
Alexander has a huge collection of vintage gear with which they recorded this album - in the same analogue spirit as their heroes. "No digital - everything on tape," said Maldonado "We looked at records like A Night at the Opera and Dark Side of the Moon - we thought about when those were made and what they had access to. All those records sound amazing, but everything on there is an honest sound". It was really worth their effort as the album has an extremely warm and intricate sound, even on CD. A vinyl version would definitely be a must.
Special guests include Ana Lenchantin on cello and her sister, and Tim's former A Perfect Circle bassist, Paz Lenchantin, adding complexity and depth to the track My Only Crime, further accentuated by Maldonado's vocal prowess. My Only Crime shows Into The Presence's versatile nature displaying their ability to write a romantic ballad, definitely a favourite from the album.
At times Luis's playing is similar to Ian D'Sa's from the band Billy Talent, whilst his high range, vibrato style vocals are reminiscent of the late Freddie Mercury of Queen - a preference which cannot be faulted.
The Garden lulls the listener into thinking it will be a mellow, chilled-out track. But as soon as the chorus kicks in, so does a melodically grungy riff and heavier vocals. Each song from End Game to Coming Home is as memorable as the former. It is a record without album "fillers" or hastily recorded songs that have had little or no effort put into its creation. A truly refreshing band and jaw dropping self-titled album. Their talent, musical ability, and song work combined is immense. By far one of the best albums released this year so far.
Into The Presence's debut is an instant classic and is an excellent example of the mighty sound a band can create by sticking with a simple formula, vintage recording techniques and focused writing.
5 out of 5.
Useful Into The Presence links:
iTunes | Amazon | Twitter
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