Written By: Jennifer Burch
“What’s in a name? That which we call a sunflower by any other name would smell as…dead?”
Yes, I just butchered Shakespeare. It sort of happened while pondering the thought process involved when members; Michael Del Pizzo/vocals, Jaboo/lead, Jamie Teissere/guitar, Leighton Kearns/bass and Jimmy Schultz/drums, decided to name their band Sunflower Dead. At first glance, the moniker doesn’t really strike a metallic chord. However, after learning the gory inspiration behind the chosen name (disembowelment gussied up with sunflowers where eyes used to be); Sunflower Dead is a gruesomely fitting selection. The group creates a unique metal/rock sound with the added circus of piano, accordion and plenty of genuine singing. Sunflower Dead’s stagey horror theatrics also contribute to their stage presence, keeping fans coming to shows to show support.
The group’s second studio production, It’s Time to Get Weird, offers up 13 tracks sure to please fans both old and new. The album released October 3rd 2015 on Black Bat Records was produced by Mikey Doling (Snot) and Dave Fortman (Ugly Kid Joe), the same brains that put their productive spin on albums by Slipknot, Godsmack and Evenescence.
The record has several notable tracks, the first of which to really stand out being the self-titled “It’s Time to Get Weird”. This song features the Korn-infused flavoring of Johnathan Davis as guest vocalist. It’s an epic collaboration.
The instrumental “Inhuman Lung”, peacefully opens the album before launching into the heavy groove of “Dance With Death”. Another significant track “I’ll Burn It”, delivers strumming bass that will have you tapping your foot and nodding your head almost instantly. It’s an aggressive song that channels rebelliousness and maybe a bit of arson.
“Anthem of the Seeds” lost me. The strange, self-proclaimed chant “we are the seeds of Sunflower Dead” is a baffling intro that really doesn’t fit the rest of the song. I can’t be the only one reminded of those salty little husks that get stuck in your teeth, am I?
Del Pizzo’s motivating vocals give Sunflower Dead an interesting sound. His range can be heard in the softer track “Nothing”, but ring full force in “My Mother Mortis” and “The Rain”. Overall, the record rocks with consistent melodies that are loaded with memorable chorus and catchy riffs. The song matter is naturally dark, but eerily uplifting at certain points. Listeners might be pleasantly “disturbed” by the likeness to another popular band. If you haven’t had the chance to hear Sunflower Dead, check them out on Itunes, or catch a show the next time they make a stop in your city.
