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Turbid North |
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By Misty Johnson |
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After Turbid North opened for Drowning Pool in Alaska’s wintry month of November 2005, the DP guys suggested that, because of their potential, these northern fellows move to Dallas. After saving for two years, the Turbid guys made that trek, and Texas became their new home last year. “Texas has been awesome! I think it’s the only state that has as much state pride as Alaska,” notes vocalist Jason Hippert. “As for all of you rebel wavers out there, surprisingly people in Alaska fly the flag too.“ Since their arrival here, Turbid North’s opportunities have been growing. As one door opens, another follows. For example, 2007’s Sluggfest had them playing upstairs, and reportedly, this year they’re second of four headliners. “Ever since that show, man, it’s been better and better,” reports guitarist Alex Rydlinski. Aside from gaining more experience and having more venues to play in the Lone Star State, members have also made good friendships, met cool musicians and learned to work harder. “It’s kind of easy to rise to the top back home,” notes Alex, “but here there’s a million bands and they’re all pretty damn good.” According to Jason, “the music scene in Alaska IS building and just keeps getting stronger and stronger.” For years, they played places such as The Underground, Southside and the Atomic Lounge in their old stomping grounds of Fairbanks. Bitoz was another camp to set up in, but it’s a six-hour journey to Anchorage. History Brothers Adam and Alex Rydlinski formed Turbid in 1999, then quickly added North to the name. Remembering what flipped the metal switch for him, Alex relates, “The first really heavy metal band I got to see on our local scene was Dark North, and that made me want to be in a local band so bad.” Jason, with his insane vocals, joined the band in 2001. Two years later, Nick Forkel (playing bass at the time) fell in line, before switching to his true medium – guitar. Finally, after finding the Turbid guys on the infamous myspace and becoming fiber-optic friends, Chris O’Toole became their new bassist about two months ago. According to this Englishman-somewhat-turned-Texan, “They had a bit different sound than everybody else, and I decided it would be worth at least meeting them — to find out if they were a bunch of douche bags or not,” Chris jokes. Comparing England’s scene to DFW, he says, “It’s really exciting to be over here and have such a buzzy scene going on. In England to even mention the “M” word, metal, is a faux pas. You have, like, indie pop. Whereas here, people actually respect you and don’t raise their eyebrows.” Under the Eight Under the Eight. This brutal CD compilation is comprised of seven unrelenting tracks. “Endless Torment” holds thrash metal by the throat and strikes where it hurts, with distinctive, bellowing breakdowns that would give even yo momma a fever. Within each song, Adam displays a stampede of drumbeats and fills. [Kudos to him for recording the tracks after dredging through Alaska’s 50-below weather.] If his drum skins were frozen before he laid the tracks down, he definitely heated them to a boil while recording. Nick and Alex’s 80s-flavored guitar solo flares add a touch of haunting tones that stand out like a fat man trying to hoola hoop with a cheerio, while Jason expels high-pitched screams and low, raw vocals that even Phil Anselmo would be jealous of. Nick recorded the CD in his Texas bedroom, while Alex did the artwork for Under the Eight and the band’s T-shirts. Unbelievably, this album is a 100% homegrown torrent. Into The Future Have you taken a glimpse at that Northern blizzard? If not, it’s the Turbid guys approaching, and they’re NOT made of Fools’ Gold. In the meantime, Turbid North will be redefining what Mountain Metal is. Each member is passionately serious about his music, and in it for the long haul. They hope to go on tour soon — “even if it means we have to eat shit-alee.” |
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FEATURES |
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