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Artist Guide » New Age » New Age » SCOTT HELLAND: Brocade
Brocade is a collection of 14 new and diverse instrumentals blending a visceral mix of rock, modern folk, metal influences and neoclassical styles. Possessing a medieval flavor and a movie soundtrack mystique, this new CD is dominated by stark, layered acoustic and bass guitar melodies and rhythms. The upbeat and driving songs subtly reveal Helland's bass playing past in metal and punk bands*. Scott writes songs with an emphasis on melody and feel creating a strong lyrical quality without the use of words. Fans of artists such as Loreena McKennitt, Blackmore's Night and Jethro Tull will connect with Brocade; a spirited journey of playfully diverse instrumentals.

Brocade is also an enhanced CD, viewable on any computer, featuring a 9 minute video complete with in-studio footage, fun out-takes, interviews and a rambunctious bonus MP3 remix of the song "Fire, Bow and Brimstone." The archetypal drawings by Helland on the cover and throughout the CD combine medieval, and earthy mythological themes and connect the music and spirit of the record together. The humorous and intriguing titles of the songs give an added ingredient and complements the spiritedness of Brocade. Titles like; "Travelin' Band of Gypsy Nomads", "Harry Callahan Meets Josey Wales" inspired by Clint Eastwood and the characters he portrayed. "Spanish Castles Made of Magic Sand", "Heavy Feathers", "Bustling Metropolis" written for the town he grew up in and where the CD was recorded; Westfield MA., "Galloping Glory" complete with galloping horses and pounding drums, "Midnight Capricorn" the CD's lugubrious bass guitar instrumental, "The People You Miss are Ok" a beautiful homage with guest violinist, "Renascent", "A Free Ride to the Sun", "Celestial Reasons", "Drunk Mariner" and the title track "Brocade".

*Helland got his start in music in the 80's when he was with the legendary Western Massachusetts hardcore punk band Deep Wound. The band included J Mascis and Lou Barlow who later went on to form Dinosaur Jr and Sebadoh/Folk Implosion. Scott's second band, Outpatients, a punk metal crossover band formed with his brother in 1982, played for 13 years, released several critically acclaimed underground recordings and toured in the US, Canada and South America.

Check out the artist's website:
http://www.scotthelland.com

Track List:
1. Fire, Bow and Brimstone
2. A Free Ride to the Sun
3. Travelin' Band of Gypsy Nomads
4. Heavy Feathers
5. Spanish Castles Made of Magic Sand
6. Galloping Glory
7. Bustling Metropolis
8. Brocade
9. Drunk Mariner
10. Renascent
11. Harry Callahan Meets Josey Wales
12. Celestial Reasons
13. Midnight Capricorn
14. The People You Miss Are Ok

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