Marlborough’s Sonic Titan: Music for the Metalheads

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Jeffrey Starr, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Sonic Titan makes a giant sound.

Marlborough's Sonic Titan's name really says it all. They produce a brutally fast and heavy sound in the great tradition of classic metal and hard rock bands like Black Sabbath, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin.

They also compare themselves to more modern bands like Sleep, The Sword and Orange Goblin. One may also be able to hear elements of the punk-influenced thrash metal of early Metallica and even 70's AC/DC. You may also notice a pinch of the progressive coming through in their sound, a style pioneered by such progressive rock legends Pink Floyd and King Crimson.

The band consists of Steve McCaul on bass, Tom Symes on drums, and Shaun Anzalone on guitar and vocals.

How the Band Came Together

The members of the band met their sophomore year in High School but didn't form until after they graduated. They were attracted to each other by a similar interest and taste in music.

"We feel like we understand playing music more than say painting, or playing a sport. It has always clicked and its always been worth the effort," says the band. "It's either playing music or sitting on the couch eating Wendy's, and we choose both."

They put the story of their meeting a little more colorfully on their Facebook, showing they truly embrace the metal culture.

"From the annals of history and pages of lore, a band did emerge such as never heard before. They were a collective of Satan’s own stock. They rule the Earth with their well crafted rock. Consisting of Shaun Anzalone the wielder of leads and rhythm, accompanied by Steve McCaul the bass grooving master, and held in form by the time binding pulse of Tom Symes, Sonic Titan reigns supreme."

They describe their music bluntly. "If you like Black Sabbath and all the bands that like Black Sabbath, you'll enjoy Sonic Titan."

They're also not shy about their opinions concerning the current state of the rock and pop music scenes, calling it a "desolate, vapid imposition" and "tired, overdone, and uninspired."

Their own particular style can be described simply. It is guitar-riff driven heavy metal, the pentatonic scale and plenty of distortion.

"We've tried to make more melodic or commercial stuff but what we excel at is riff based rock songs, so that's what we do," they say.

The lyrics are important as well however, though they make clear the melodies come first. They usually take inspiration from the books and authors they enjoy for the lyrics and make sure the words and music go well together.

What they hope their fans get from their music is as simple as their description for it.

"If people are nodding their heads than we're happy, there's not a whole lot to get from our music", the band remarks.

What They've Recorded

Everything they've recorded is available for free online at bandcamp. It is their debut album Even Higher. The type of music you should expect upon a listen has been described above. They are also just about finished with 7 new songs.

"Heavier than our last stuff and our favorite so far," says the band of their new music. It should be available soon.

You can expect the band to stay together long into the future.

Simply put, "It's still fun so we still do it," they conclude.

For more information on Sonic Titan and to hear to some of their music please find them on Facebook or Bandcamp.