Like most significant things in life, Hail the Tragedy underwent various transformations (and continues to do so) before arriving at where it has. Alexander Shantz (vocalist) and Danny Cooper (drums) have been creating music together since Jr. High. Hail the Tragedy's first lineup included Rique (guitarist) and Sean Collins (bass). As a four piece they created solid heavy music. However, it was static. It wasn't fresh. Richard Beavin (guitarist) solved this problem by giving the already solid heaviness a chunky metal edge.Sean Collins once commented, "It is strange that 5 people as diverse as us have stumbled into the same band.†Sean has often been the band mediator. Whenever their have been disputes he always brings everyone to an adequate compromise. He once explained that music is amazing because it is essential simply notes and rhythms played a specific way in order to create melody and noise. It is remarkable how influential such a process can be on a person's heart and mind. Danny strives to give the band a professional image and to achieve legitimacy. He has handled the majority of the business aspects of the band. At the same time he also views this band has an experience that he hopes to learn from. Being in a band is about learning how to work with different types of people. You learn a lot about yourself when you are stuck with 4 other people in a van on the way to a show. The bond that is created between band mates can't really be compared to anything. It's like a family. Alex wants to create connection between the band and the listeners. "I don't want to make people happy through my music." Alex has stated, "Music for me has always been two things: a catharsis and connection. I would attend a show and see people there that felt the same emotions that I was feeling. I was feeling hopelessness, rage, sadness, and disconnection. But afterwards my anxieties would be purge and I was reminded that I wasn't alone. This is what I hope to achieve through my music." Beavin wants to "bring the doom." He constantly strives to create innovative yet straight up chunky metal. His main focus is to take his guitar playing to the next level. From morning to dusk, guitar and metal are the only things that consume his mind. Ricky brings a melodic stillness to the metallic mayhem and he makes sure he looks good while doing it. Although Rique does lay down a melodic overtone in the music, when it is time to be chaotic he seems to become chaos itself. Combined, each of these traits and influences create a chaotic rock onslaught yet within it a quit melodic gloom resides. Its passionate, its heavy, its melodious, and its discord.
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