Fair Lawn Heavy Metal Band Poised For A Breakout Year

Bergen County metalcore upstarts The Blessing of This Curse are poised to make a name for themselves this summer. The band is part of the "The Breakout Tour," which features some of the Northeast's most promising new heavy metal bands.

The Blessing of the Curse in June released a blistering five-song EP, "Emergence." The band consists of Fair Lawn residents Ethan Kennedy (vocals), Jake Fletcher (drums), Branton Shpilevsky (keys), and Joey Galletta Jr. (guitar / vocals), and bassist Blake Van Curen of Wood-Ridge.

The Breakout Tour, which also features The Machinist and Gladiators, includes a stop on July 13 at the Championship Bar in Trenton. It's well worth the drive to see The Blessing of This Curse. These guys are seriously, seriously talented. They make modern metalcore that's both cerebral and crushing, sounds fresh and is thoroughly enjoyable.

EP opener "The Truth Is Awake" sets the tone, showing the band's diverse skills with an opening flair of acoustic guitar and mournful guitar solo before revving up with a buzz saw, start-stop rip and thunderous bass and drums. Next up is "Unconditional," a relentless yet memorable barrage.

"Quicksand" starts with piano and features Kennedy's clean vocals, while "Naysayers" slays with a quick riff and great rhythm section dynamics set against atmospheric keyboards. The closing title track is the mini-albums catchiest song yet retains the heaviest. Five stars all around. Do yourself a favor and check these guys out.

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