NEWS:04/08/08 Brand new Freaklabel Promo Photos Up!
Freaklabel had a photo shoot prior to their five year anniversary show last month.. Some of the photos from that shoot are now up in the photos section. Check'em out!
12/12/07 Freaklabel Cd Signing in Des Moines!
On Decemebr 28th, Freaklabel will be signing copies of MONOLITH at East Village Books & Music at 6pm prior to their schedule show at the House Of Bricks as part of The Art Fusion Experiment. Scott and Ryan will also be doing a few songs acoustically from a side project, expect the unexpected. This will be the first adn maybe the last time they will be performing these songs so bring your video cameras for this once in a lifetime event!
11/27/07 Metal Vs Rock compilation OUT NOW!
You can now purchase the Metal Vs Rock compilation featuring Freaklabel's "The Open Sea" on ebay at the Music for Troops ebay store. Support Freaklabel and support the troops.
10/26/07 Freaklabel on Metal Vs Rock compilation cd!
Freaklabel has been chosen to participate in the Metal Vs Rock compilation cd. Music For Troops will have copies of "Metal vs Rock" on sale on eBay at the Music For Troops eBay store under username musicfortroops. Please tell family, friends and fans where they can buy a copy and help send the gift of music to our Troops. All proceeds go toward this great cause.
Support Our troops and suppoer Freaklabel!
07/27/07 MONOLITH Review From Gazette
It will take about two seconds for Freaklabel's debut studio album, "Monolith" to win over anyone who likes aggressive rock n' roll. The Cedar Rapids metal band comes out swinging on the albums first song, "Slaughtery Machine," which begins with the razor-sharp electric guitars of Scott Arens and Ryan Keller slamming against each other at light speed, before being joined by Arens' burly vocals and bassist Adam Mykris and drummer Ben Carrillo's hammering beats. "Monolith" doesn't back down after that either, with song after song that metal fans should love and punk rockers should start paying attention to. After forming in 2003, last summer Freaklabel released Live & Brutal, and introductory live recording that showed the band s potential yet suffered from the murkiness that accompanies most live albums. "Monolith," on the other hand, shows Freaklabel unencumbered by it s surroundings, and it s a sound to behold. One of the best aspects of "Monolith" is that Arens' screaming vocals, while heavy enough to scare away mom and dad, avoid the metal cliche of sounding inhuman and incomprehensible. Arens always sounds like a real person, albeit an angry one, and the strategy seems ripe for listener sing-a-longs to songs like "Subtleties of War" and "Leader of Disaster." --Review by Eric Clark,Cedar Rapids Gazette
07/11/07 Review of MONOLITH
If you think that the music scene in Iowa is nonexistent or limited to bad country DJ's, like the one at your cousin's wedding, you are sadly, sadly mistaken. Monolith, the upcoming album from eastern Iowa metal band, Freaklabel, proves that music is indeed alive, and thriving. From the explosive opening track Slaughtery Machine through the hypnotic final track Apathetic Conception your ears will assaulted by some of the heaviest music to come out of the state in years. Longtime fans will appreciate the remastered and ultimately heavier versions of a few of the band s live staples: Swelter, Dissecting the Tapeworm, and Of the Failed. New songs Subtleties of War and the instrumental Hoc Sustinete Majus De Veniat Malum have an infectious metal groove and driving power that will keep you breathless. This isn t a mainstream kind of metal band, so popular on the radio these days with only three cords to choose from, a bridge, no guitar solo, and lot s of fake despair. These guys have definitely practiced their instruments since their founding in 2003 and their musicianship has increased one-hundred fold after playing for four years in dingy bars all over the Midwest. Simply put; this is by far the best metal album to come out in years. Period.
If you like the old days of when guitar players actually played guitar solo's, this disc is for you. Guitarist Ryan Keller weaves intricate guitar solos throughout each heavy hitting song with the speed and expertise of a true guitar hero. Bassist Adam Mykris keeps the band honest with his solid bass lines and his ability to follow Keller s wild guitar while at the same time adding his own creative dimension to the band's sound. Drummer Ben Carrillo lays down a rock-solid, yet extremely technical barrage of drums that will blow your speakers and eardrums apart. Singer Scott Arens pulls no punches in his approach to his vocals. His screams, growls and complete mastery of his voice lend an assault of pure power while he delivers lyrics about overcoming the boredom and close-mindedness of small town life but most importantly, about being yourself whoever you are.
The music is solid, well crafted, heavy-hitting, and leaves you breathless after each song. This is what you'd listen to driving down the interstate 100 mph with the window down: a full fledged blast in the face, going balls out all the way. Make sure you re in your driveway however, before listening to the beautiful and haunting hidden acoustic track at the end of the disc. Trust me, you ll be worn out. If you re looking for something fresh, heavy, and totally original, buy this album, you won't be disappointed. --Bob Brownell, Freelance Writer/Music Critic
07/10/07 Gear Heads Have Spoken!
Some reviews are in for the new album Monolith. These were sent to us recently.
Monolith is a cd for the ages. Guitar riffs that will break your neck. Drum beats that will give you brain damage. And a voice that will make you feel like your going to explode. All these put together can make the most lethal band you ever heard of. And this band is Freaklabel. Monolith shows all their great talents for sure. If metal heads want to hear the cd of the year, this is it.
Just got your new cd today. It kicks ass.
I got the cd this morning. Its the greatest fucking cd ever created.
Bangin shit you guys i'm damn impressed!!
Hey you guys fucking rock.
07/10/07 Today is the Day.
MONOLITH is unleashed TODAY. Get your copy NOW here, Amazon.com, and download tracks on iTunes, and Digstation. Thanks to all the Gear Heads for theri pre-orders, hope you got your signed copies safely.
07/06/07 Only a few days left ...
There is only a few days left to pre-order your signed copies of MONOLITH. Don't miss Freaklabel on Lazer 103.3 KAZR this Sunday July 8th at 11pm for the premier of Monolith and interviews with the band.
06/27/07 New Merch!
New Freaklabel merch can be purchased in the store section as well as at shows. MONOLITH is still available for pre-order as well, remember all pre-orders come signed by all members of Freaklabel. GET YOURS NOW!
06/26/07 Freaklabel Returns Home/Premier of MONOLITH.
Freaklabel is doing their homecoming show in Cedar Rapids IA on July 20th 2007. For more show information check the shows section. Freaklabel will also be in the Lazer 103.3 studio on July 8th at 11pm for an interview and to premier MONOLITH before it hits stores.
06/13/07 Official Release Date
Freaklabel's MONOLITH will be officailly released here and locally July 10th 2007. The date for the national release is still pending.
06/06/07 Pre-Order MONOLITH
Attention all Gear Heads, you are able to pre-order MONOLITH NOW!!! All pre-ordered cds will come signed by all four members of Freaklabel. Get your signed copy now.
06/05/07 Hear The Open Sea
Freaklabel has decided to release "The Open Sea", the second single off of MONOLITH. Go here to listen. A single new date has been added to the shows section. The official track list for the new album is also available here.
05/30/07 Hear Freaklabel's Slaughtery Machine
The first song released from Freaklabel's new studio album MONOLITH is "Slaughtery Machine"! Get a taste of the new album right here.
05/02/07 Freaklabel's MONOLITH Coming Soon!
In late 2006 the Freaklabel camp began preproduction on a new studio album. The intention was to have a new album released in early 2007. It is still considered “early” until exactly half the year has past and Freaklabel has finished just in time. Following preproduction, minor surgery, and other setbacks, Freaklabel entered the studio with all tracks ready to record, in a mere three days the band exited with everything laid to rest.
The result is something so huge, so over the top that it will punch you square in the face and keep pummeling you until the final throes. Due to its sheer sonic scope, power, and awe inspiring size, this album could have gone under no other name but simply MONOLITH. It is truly monolithic even based on definition alone, i.e. an organized whole that acts as a single unified powerful or influential force. I assure you that each and every Gear Head, along with the uninitiated, will be picking their collective jaw off the ground when the new Freaklabel material pummels its way into your skull. Expect Freaklabel’s new studio album, Monolith, to hit stores near the end of May or early June. Exact release date and track list coming soon.
04/04/07 SEE SHOW PHOTOS HERE
The show began with the words “we are Freaklabel” and the band launched into the brand new “Slaughtery Machine”. After nearly fifteen years of attending and reviewing literally hundreds of concerts, I witnessed something I had never seen, the whole front row just stood there, mouths gaping wide open, staring at the raw power unfolding before them. I was unsure if those in attendance were horrified or simply unaware of what was happening. As the attendees began to raise their fists and bang their heads in appreciation, I understood that they were not horrified; they were in awe, as was I. It had been years, not since Black Sabbath’s reunion in ‘97 that I got goose bumps from attending a live show, upon the first note the hair on the back of my neck stood on point.
Freaklabel steamrolled through a few older numbers, including the almighty “Dissecting the Tapeworm”, to the approval of the fans now creating a huge circle pit. The audience participation was at an all time high with fans and band alike pumping their fists to the new sing along “Subtleties of War”. New songs were abound as Freaklabel played mostly new cuts from their upcoming studio disc due out in late May, with a few older gems thrown in. This night drummer Ben Carrillo treated the Gear Heads to a short drum solo featuring twirling and spinning drum sticks and brutal double bass action. Guitarist Ryan Keller gave a full on virtuoso guitar solo that capped off a night that began with two part harmonies and sweep arpeggios, this was a show by guitar players for guitar players. The main riff of Van Halen’s “Unchained’” brought the full band back on stage to tear into Freaklabel’s own “Of the Failed”. The ensuing chant of “one more song…one more song….etc..” brought the members of Freaklabel, singer/guitarist Scott Arens, bassist Adum Mykris, the previously mentioned drummer Ben Carrillo and lead guitarist Ryan Keller to the stage one last time for the evening. Launching into the heavy metal riff orgy of “The Open Sea” the band brought the house down and made an indelible impression on myself along with everyone else in attendance. Expect big things from Freaklabel in the future, a band with a presence this big only comes along only once every decade or so.
02/01/07
On one of the coldest days on record in their home state of Iowa, the four members of Freaklabel emerged from their seclusion for the first time in months. Vocalist Scott Arens, bassist Adum Mykris, guitarist Ryan Keller, and drummer Ben Carrillo stepped out into the cold for a photo shoot accompanied only by a single writer/photographer. The lack of entourage was not unplanned; this would be the band’s first public appearance with their new drummer. The Emails have been pouring in from Gear Heads begging to know the identity of Freaklabel’s new skinsman, the questions will finally be answered. The virtually unknown Ben Carrillo was chosen for this position due to his amazing technical prowess and entertaining playing style. In keeping with their silence, Ben and the rest of Freaklabel have had to keep things under wraps at least until these official photos were released.
The four members of Freaklabel were chauffeured to the secluded shoot location on treacherous snow & ice covered “B” level roads. The destination was an abandoned and condemned house on the outskirts of a nearly dead town in midst of the Midwest’s barren landscape. Though officially their first public appearance, it was less a public appearance and more of a freezing day of isolation. Braving the cold, sleet, and the constant flurry of snowfall, the four musicians agreed that this was the perfect day for a photo shoot.
With ceilings falling in, no floor in most of what was left of the structure and, oddly enough, only a bathtub remained as the single fixture in the former home. Freaklabel stepped right in, unafraid of the risk of falling through floors or to get a bit dirty. After nearly an hour of shooting inside the dilapidated house, the decision was made to capture the eerie fog that had gathered in the wooded areas behind the skeletal structure. Locating an underground cellar just outside the back door, the four of them immediately began to explore. After only a few moments the band reemerged from the cellar complaining of a horrendous stench, not only did this place look like a set straight from a horror movie, it smelled like death too. We snapped off another round of photos on the steps of this underground bunker and headed back to the vehicle to warm our bones.
On the drive home, in what was steadily becoming worse weather conditions, Freaklabel discussed how these photos would serve as a new image for the band. This was a change from the hard working, road dog image the band had portrayed previously. This was the image of seasoned touring veterans that were ready to take things to a new level. Freaklabel, no strangers to working hard, is anticipating a new studio album due in early spring 2007. Gear Heads have come to expect the unexpected from their favorite band, but what happens when even the unexpected isn’t enough? This is only the beginning, the resurrection is coming, you will soon find out.
