Eighteen Visions (sometimes shortened to 18V or 18 Visions) were an Orange County, California, United States-based band, signed to Epic Records and Trustkill Records. Evolving from metalcore to alternative metal throughout the years, the band broke up in April 2007, less than a year after their major label debut came out.
Their glamorous image and style not usually seen in metalcore bands somewhat set them apart from average OC heavy acts, and quickly drew attention, along with controversy within the scene although the look is now common in metalcore bands.
History
Beginnings
Eighteen Visions performing in early 1996
Eighteen Visions was founded in October 1995 by James, Dave Peters, Billy and Kenneth Floyd under the name "Macabre". The band wrote a bit of material and started to play shows, beginning at the "Koo's Cafe" in early 1996, in their local area. Soon after a second guitarist, Jeff Boullt (from Excessive Force), was added to the mix, and in March, Billy left the group and was replaced by Richie. Richie only lasted a short while, and Javier Van Huss soon took over the bass duties. Later in the year, Jeff also left the band, and Brandan was added to complete a first stable line-up.
Their debut release, Lifeless was released on Life Sentence Records in 1997. Shortly after, Dave left the band to join Throwdown. Steve replaced him for the ep's tour, and rumors of the band breaking up started to circulate, but were soon halted when the first full length album, Yesterday Is Time Killed was announced to be released on Cedargate Records (Zac Phelps's label), who was at the time a temporary bassist in the band) due in February 1999. The bands attention was brought up to Trustkill Records, which was still in its early beginnings. The label released the No Time for Love 7" in October 1999. Keith then joined the band to replace Steve and ten months after the 7", their second full length Until the Ink Runs Out was released. It became one of the label's best selling album and artist, which led to a lot of the earlier material getting bought out, and becoming out of print. Javier was asked to leave the band after touring for the album, and was told he would be replaced by Mick Morris of the band xClearx. Javier played two remaining shows with the band and went on to tour for Poison the Well.
Rise of success
For their next album, "The Best of Eighteen Visions", the band re-recorded some of their earlier material, some of which was out of print, with the addition of a new song, "Motionless and White". Trustkill and the band felt it would feel much more of a new record, rather than re-releasing the two previous albums on the label. Despite raw production where mistakes weren't always edited, this was a vast improvement in production values. This would mark the beginning of the bands tentative to more melodic hardcore, rather than their older metalcore approach.
They went on to record "Vanity" in 2002, which, while still containing heavy breakdowns, metal riffs and odd time signatures, featured better production work, and bits of melodic vocals in nearly all of the songs, complete with hints at balladry with the songs "Gorgeous", an acoustic piece written and performed by then-drummer Ken Floyd, and "Love in Autumn", the album's closer. While the fanbase grew after this release, this was the last album to feature guitarist Brandan, who left the band in order to handle full time vocal duties in metalcore OC band Bleeding Through. Eighteen Visions went on to tour for "Vanity" as a four piece. A video was made for "You Broke Like Glass" which played in heavy rotation via MTV2's Headbangers Ball.
The era of obsession
Eighteen Visions poster as a four-piece band
After touring, they went into the studio to record "Obsession" with producer Mudrock. Material was equally written by guitarist Keith Barney and Ken Floyd, who not only played drums, but also guitars on a fair amount of songs. Dramatically changing styles, the album showcased a new sound that was much more accessible to a wider audience, featuring hard rock riffs, but also a good punk feel to it, less complex song-structuring and a much more diverse and melodic range of vocals.
The band then went on a worldwide tour as a supporting act for bands like HIM, Lostprophets and Killswitch Engage, with Ken Floyd switching to second guitar, and Jason Shrout (later replaced by Trevor Friedrich) being added to the bands line-up for all drumming duties. The songs "Waiting for the Heavens", "Tower of Snakes" and "I Let Go" were released as singles on USA and UK pressing and had videos made for them. The album went on to sell a disappointing 200 000 copies, which is twice what the previous record had sold, but was still not enough to break the band into the mainstream.
Obsession went on to be the band's last album for Trustkill Records, after they signed a contract with major label Epic Records for their next effort. Obsession would become Eighteen Visions's most successful album and would give them their new sort of depressive/apathetic image, which would prove hard to be rid of.
Taste of mainstream
Now a solidified 5 piece, 18V went into pre-production with producer Machine and 32 demos to work on. On July 18, 2006 they released their self titled major label debut, which featured slick production, anthemic choruses à la Def Leppard, dark industrial electronic programming and all-melodic vocals reminiscent of the then-current hard rock trend successfully embraced by fellow OC band Avenged Sevenfold. Although a video had been made and a promo album launch ad campaign for the radio friendly song "Tonightless" (which was a leftover from the previous album writing session) was ready to air, the band decided to scrap it all in order to go with the more hard-rocking "Victim", supposedly against the record label's will. Still, a video was made for "Victim", with little effort from Epic to promote it, even though the song was featured in the Vengeance (2006) WWE pay-per-view.
Witnessing album sales not taking off and dropping off the Billboard 200 after only one week, the band then however embarked a variety of tours to promote the record, as a supporting act again. They played opening slots for Avenged Sevenfold, Coheed and Cambria, Hinder, Bullet for my Valentine, among others. Even though the catchy power ballad "Broken Hearted" was released to radio stations and managed to get some airplay, no video was made, the album ended up as a commercial flop. Even though the number of total sales has not been made official, it is widely rumored to have ended below the 100k bar.
Break up
In 2007, while still playing a few shows in Australia and posting daily MySpace bulletins asking fans to request "Broken Hearted" on the radio, band coverage, press and blog updates started decreasing considerably, leading to believe the band had been dropped by Epic Records, though no official word on that has been released. This also led to break up rumors, which were soon confirmed.
On April 9, 2007 bassist Mick Morris confirmed the band's breakup on Myspace.
"After several years of touring and quite a few album releases we have decided that it is time to go our separate ways. We have been a band for a very long time and feel good about everything we were able to accomplish. At this point in our lives and our careers we feel its time to move on to something fresh and new. Whether it be music, touring or just being at home to live and enjoy life. We would like to thank all of our fans, friends and families for all of the great support over the years. We would also like to thank all of the bands we have shared the stage with and everyone who has ever worked with the band, opened a door or reached out a hand. We will be playing our final two shows in April. One in San Diego and one in Orange County. Come rock with us one more time."[1][2]
While the break up might appear somewhat abrupt, on July 13, 2007 front-man James Hart stated on his MySpace blog that this was not the case : "18V had been a band for 10+ years, [...] it just got to the point where we all had different goals and ideas for the band on a musical and touring basis. We all felt it was time to move on to something fresh and new" .
Post-18V
Keith Barney and Trevor Friedrich have since formed an alternative Rock group with Lylah frontman Norman Matthew named Never 3nough.They are slated to release their first effort, titled 1.0, on November 20, 2007 through Corporate Punishment records. Trevor also plays now for Industrial band Imperative Reaction
Also, Keith Barney recently joined Hardcore band Monument to Thieves. He also joined California Hardcore band Love Thyne just before they officially disbanded.
Trevor Friedrich was hired by Eleven Seven recording artist Sixx Am for "Accidents Can Happen" video. He is now the drummer in the band Never Enough with Eighteen Visions' Keith Barney on guitar. He also drums for the industrial acts Imperative Reaction and Combichrist.
Ken Floyd is currently working on a New Wave band called Hi-Deaf
Mick Morris is currently on tour as a tech for Hatebreed. He's also busy launching his own clothing line, Dethless Clothing and holds a popular weekly updated ebay store, selling metalcore band shirts and other related items. He also models for several clothing lines.
James Hart has been working with former Nixons frontman Zac Maloy, on a new project, which has now been named Burn Halo. Around 11 songs have been written so far, according to James's MySpace blog. Maloy's previous collaborations include songwriting credits for Chris Daughtry and Bowling for Soup, among others. Ex-bandmate Keith Barney, and Avenged Sevenfold lead guitarist Synyster Gates look to have also contributed to the project, which has evolved from a solo-project into a full band. Burn Halo recently signed to Island Records. After the album was completed, in early 2008, Island elected not to release Burn Halo’s debut, leaving Hart with the tough job of finding a new home for his project. Burn Halo’s manager Bret Bair formed his own label Rawkhead Rekords through Warner Music Group to release the record. Burn Halo is set to release their debut record on March 31, 2009. Burn Halo recently played their first ever live show. They opened up for Avenged Sevenfold on December 9, 2008 at Ram's Head Live in Baltimore, MD. Burn Halo's first single, Dirty Little Girl, is available on iTunes, courtesy of Avenged Sevenfold guitarist Synyster Gates. Burn Halo is touring nationwide in support on their new album.
Members
- James Stephen Hart - Lead Vocals, Lyrics
- Kenneth William "K.Flo" Floyd - Rhythm Guitars, Backing Vocals (Used to play drums)
- Keith "Heavy K" Barney - Lead Guitars, Backing Vocals
- Mick "MickDeth" Morris - Bass
- Trevor "TrevGnar" Friedrich - Drums, Percussion
Discography
Main article: Eighteen Visions Discography
Main albums:
1998: Yesterday Is Time Killed
2000: Until The Ink Runs Out
2001: The Best Of Eighteen Visions
2002: Vanity
2004: Obsession
2006: Eighteen Visions
External links
