In the
ever-changing world of rock music, one band has held a steady
hand. Living in a world of their own design, and made for their
fans, DOPE has managed to lay waste to comparisons, musical or
otherwise, since their creation a decade ago. The Chicago-based
rockers have, in the words of their frontman and band namesake
Edsel Dope, "seen it all." And it's this attitude from which the
band draws upon on "No Regrets," their fifth album, and first
for E1 Music (formerly known as KOCH Records). "'No Regrets' is
not only a commentary on where we have been, but also where we
are headed," says Dope.
Layered with the signature sound that defines the band, "No
Regrets" is a showcase in musicianship and songwriting that the
band has honed over the years. The songs on "No Regrets"
encompass the "kick in the rear and dare you to have fun" vibe
that DOPE fans have come to expect. The sex, dope, and rock n'
metal energy oozes through "No Regrets" - much like the
pentatonic scale runs through modern-day guitar hero Zakk
Wylde's fingertips. Wylde, who first met the band when they
supported his Black Label Society tour in 2007, makes an
appearance on the first single, "Addiction." Other tracks like
"Violence," "6 6 Sick," and "We Are" take us back to the root of
the band's sound, but with an obvious shot of technical
adrenaline. The dark and gloomy "My Funeral" and raunchy "Dirty
World" are a somber change of pace, while "No Regrets" and bonus
tracks, "Nothing For Me Here" and "I Don't Give A...," continue
to showcase the wide spectrum of influences that DOPE drew from
when creating this album.
First single, "Addiction," is garnering praise on the airwaves
with early adds at KXXR in Minneapolis, KUPD in Phoenix, WIIL in
Chicago, KHTQ in Spokane, KXFX in Santa Rosa, KBRE in Merced and
at WJJO in Madison. In Madison, "Our third hometown - after New
York and Chicago" says Dope, the track is getting top 5 phones.
The track impacts radio on Tuesday, February 10.
Enlisting video directors, Dale "Rage" Resteghini (MudVayne,
Shadows Fall, Trivium, Unearth) and Kevin Custer (Kingdom Of
Sorrow, Gas Light Anthem, Hatebreed) for "Addiction," the video
is "an aggressively shot film that we are placing just about
everywhere, so look for it now," says Dope. If that isn't
enough, the band rolls out across North America on Black Label
Society's "Black Label Bash," alongside Black Label Society and
Sevendust beginning March 3rd in San Francisco.
With all the early praises, it's clear asking if DOPE indeed has
no regrets is flat out unnecessary. As a musician this immersed
in what he lives and breathes, he would never in a lifetime be
so disingenuous to actually affix his latest and greatest work
with that moniker if he indeed had. DOPE's mission with "No
Regrets" is simple - "to release a record for the fans but also
has enough hooks, energy and good times to engage a new group of
disciples with each and every listen," says Dope.
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