Headtrip to Nowhere

Infobox Album
Name = Headtrip to Nowhere
Type = studio
Artist = Flybanger


Released = Start date|2001|02|20
Recorded = Rumbo Studios in Los Angeles, California
Genre = Heavy metal
Length =
Label = Columbia
Producer = Matt Wallace
Reviews =
*Allmusic Rating|3|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:a9ftxqw0ldae link]
*PopMatters (unfavorable) [http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/17675/flybanger-headtrip/ link]
Last album = "Outlived"
(2000)
This album = "Headtrip to Nowhere"
(2001)
Next album =
Misc = Singles
Name = Headtrip to Nowhere
Type = studio
single 1 = Cavalry
single 2 = Radical
single 3 = Blind World
single 1 date = 2001
single 2 date = 2001
single 3 date = 2001

"Headtrip to Nowhere" is the major label debut album by the Canadian heavy metal band Flybanger. It was released on February 20, 2001 through Columbia Records. The CD is enhanced to include a video of the song "Outlived," not otherwise heard on the disc. The album was preceded by a 5-track "Outlived" EP which was released through Gotham Records. This included an additional disc with two tracks that would later appear on "Headtrip to Nowhere". Their debut effort would prove to be Flybanger's only major release before disbanding.

Overview

In promotion of "Headtrip to Nowhere", Flybanger toured with Clutch and Corrosion of Conformity before performing shows with Sepultura and Soulfly. According to vocalist Garth, the band was given "100% complete creative control" by Columbia. The album was produced by Matt Wallace, known for his work with Faith No More and Deftones among other successful bands. Indeed, two songs feature a guest appearance by former Faith No More guitarist Jim Martin. The third and final single, "Blind World," was featured on the "Dracula 2000" film soundtrack.

Various subject matter is examined throughout "Headtrip to Nowhere". Garth, the group's vocalist, described "Cavalry" as having "sort of a 'Mad Max' vibe to it" and adding "It's a futuristic story about a guy who refuses to conform to the new world order." The track "Evelyn," explains Garth, "delves into the downward spiral of the human spirit." The hype revolving Y2K is examined in the single "Blind World"; the singer noted, "On New Year's Day, people actually seemed disappointed that there were no earthquakes or mass destruction the night before. They acted as if they'd been ripped off. It was ridiculous." [ [http://www.thegauntlet.com/bio/166/Flybanger.html Flybanger Bio] TheGauntlet.com. Retrieved on September 16, 2008.] Blatant references to the dark world of drug use are also made in "Crackballs."

The album cover photo depicts art director Shawn Evens; the band was working on a photo shoot in the dessert where an old gold mine with various mechanical objects inside resided. This is thought to be wear the eye piece was found. The album's title comes from a lyric in the song "Evelyn" which the band felt suited the cover photo. The said track may have been considered for a single as Garth considered it "like our little jewel in our back pocket we're going to bring out later." [Wright, James [http://www.shoutweb.com/interviews/flybanger0201.phtml Flybanger: Talking Headtrips] Shoutweb.com (2001). Retrieved on September 16, 2008.]

Reception

While not a significant commercial success, "Headtrip to Nowhere" was critically praised for its allegiance to traditional heavy metal and neglect for styles of popularity at the time such as nu metal. William Ruhlmann of AllMusic commended drummer Rob Wade for his engaging rhythms, noting "His work makes the band's music far more impressive than it would be otherwise." [Wade, Rob [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:a9ftxqw0ldae Headtrip to Nowhere] AllMusic. Retrieved on September 16, 2008.] Natalie Hawk of "Fast Forward Magazine" cited bassist Tom MacDonald's work among the most outstanding and compared the overall style to that of Pantera. [Hawk, Natalie [http://www.ffwdmag.com/cdflybanger.htm CD Reviews - Headtrip to Nowhere] Fast Forward Magazine. Retrieved on September 16, 2008.] However, the zealous amount of expletives used throughout the album, as well as its lack of musical originality, have received criticism, particularly by Jason Thompson of PopMatters. [Thompson, Jason [http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/17675/flybanger-headtrip/ Flybanger - Headtrip to Nowhere] PopMatters. Retrieved on September 16, 2008.] Various album reviews also panned the song "Crackballs" particularly. [ [http://www.theprp.com/reviews/flybanger.shtml Flybanger - Headtrip To Nowhere] ThePRP.com. Retrieved on September 16, 2008.]

Track listing

tracklist
title1 = Cavalry
length1 = 3:11
title2 = Radical
length2 = 3:19
title3 = Blind World
length3 = 4:03
title4 = Pull
length4 = 4:01
title5 = Evelyn
length5 = 4:57
title6 = Haul
length6 = 3:35
title7 = Demon Away
length7 = 3:49
title8 = Crackballs
length8 = 5:02
title9 = Weapon
length9 = 3:22
title10 = This is Bliss
length10 = 4:39
title11 = When Are You? (Gonna Die)
length11 = 2:40
title12 = Company
length12 = 3:42

Personnel

* Garth: lead vocals
* Bryan Fratesi: guitar
* Tom MacDonald: bass
* Rob Wade: drums, percussion
* Jim Martin: guitar on tracks "Cavalry" and "When Are You (Gonna Die)?"
* Dave Jerden: production, mixing

External links

* [http://www.last.fm/music/Flybanger/Headtrip+to+Nowhere Full album stream of Headtrip to Nowhere]

References