Two Songs from the Adoring Heirs

I recently did an interview with Joey Metcalf, guitarist with the Adoring Heirs. I've been lucky enough to listen to a couple of cuts available from these guys, a tune called Bluebeam, which has been available for some time, and their newest track, available on vinyl 45, Deep Red.

To start with, defining these guys is a bit tricky. I wouldn't want to try and put them in a box. When I listen to the Adoring Heirs, I hear shades of metal that range from Judas Priest to Metallica, but that doesn't quite cover cover it. There are also dashes of grunge and some classic rock elements too. The Adoring Heirs have a sound that I believe will be appealing to a range of music lovers.

Here's a bio taken from the Boxing Clever website:
"Comprised of four like-minded music-scene veterans from Saint Louis, MO, The Adoring Heirs play densely layered rock music that delves into the darker corners of human existence, both real and imagined.  Horror films, dark literature, conspiracy theories, urban legends and freaks of nature are deconstructed and then rearranged as concise yet powerful pieces of music that are emotionally relatable on a personal level.  Arena-Rock For Dive Bars."

Vocalist/bassist Rob Wagoner has a voice that suits the music well and he uses it to full advantage. Lyrically the songs have great structure and deal in strong metaphors that leave interpretation up to the listener, conceivably having different meanings to different people. Check out these verses from Bluebeam:

Verse 1

I've finally seen the light.

It seems cold and calculated,

Not quite what I expected, now,

In fact it's overrated.

Verse 2
I've come to terms with my destiny,
That can't be overstated.
This world is my prison, now,
And I'm tired of being incarcerated

Following this song lyrically, I get the idea the singer is rising above his human form, breaking the bonds of the mortal and moving on to a higher plane, away from a world that has spent itself. This is just my interpretation. The lyricist may have had a more personal intent. You may get something else from it.

Their newest track, Deep Red, delivers a sonic blow to the head. I love the use of echo throughout. I also dig the rhyme scheme of the lyrics and the way the single guitar notes are layered over heavier chords. Check out the lyrics in verse one:


Just Surviving,once was thriving,
Watch the world go by through windows.
These lead-glass windows.
Now it all makes sense,
Yet it drains my confidence

And the chorus (I love the way the words red and deep red are sung and the way effects are used to create an atmosphere that matches the brink-of-insanity feel of this tune overall): 


All askew, distorted view.
I hear every nuance in this music,
But the only color I can see is Red.
Deep red.

Here I believe "red" is a metaphor for a world that is imploding. I see a theme between Bluebeam and Deep Red. In Deep Red the singer is watching the world fall apart and in Bluebeam he is escaping that world, becoming something more powerful, leaving behind a human race that has devoured itself. Note that both songs use color as metaphor (red for chaos and blue for control).

Again, this is just my interpretation. Your mileage may vary. Hope the band forgives any misinterpretaion on my part. In any case, these are great tunes and I recommend you take a listen to the Adoring Heirs. The songs are available wherever fine tunes are sold. Here are some links:

Deep Red available on vinyl from Boxing Clever Records (vinyl is cool).

Bluebeam is available on iTunes.

Follow the Adoring Heirs on Facebook and click LIKE.
Why? Because you will, I promise.

The band:

Ian Baird-Drums
Brian Merry-Guitar
Joe Metcalf-Guitar
Rob Wagoner-Vocals and Bass