Music Existence Because of Music, We Exist
Score: 10/10
URL: http://everlitmusic.com
As a heavy metal and hard rock enthusiast, I’m always on the lookout for new music to add to my ever-growing collection. As a personal rule, the music has to speak to various aspects of my life while maintaining a high level of energy backed by deep, hard-hitting melodies and rhythms. Everlit has perfectly managed to do just that with their debut release of Renovate, a 5-track EP set to release on June 23rd.
Everlit is a hard rock band out of Philadelphia, but it began as something else. Two brothers, vocalist Ryan Panfil and guitarist Jordan Panfil, teamed up with drummer and high school friend, Jacob Castro to form their former band, Willpowerless. Together, they released 3 albums and an EP while touring the East Coast and Midwest. Willpowerless performed on several Warped Tour dates as well as touring with national acts like Taproot, In This Moment, American Head Charge, and Boy Hits Car. At the end of 2013, the members decided to disband Willpowerless and retire the name.
Everlit was born in 2014 when the Panfil brothers and Castro came together with another high school friend, guitarist Anthony Michael. They connected with Taylor Larsen from the band First To Last and started writing and recording at Larsen’s Oceanic Recording studio in Bethesda, Maryland. The time put in at the studio resulted in a powerful new set of songs on the Renovate EP, featuring the early radio success of “Break Away”. The success of the EP’s single certainly portends that 2015 will be a big year for Everlit as the seasoned and exciting touring unit strives toward the ultimate goal of becoming a nationally recognized and respected hard rock band.
Renovate kicks off with the high octane punch of “A Phoenix Will Rise.” The anthemic song speaks of finding yourself despite the odds and making a new start, something I believe all of us must go through at least once in our lives. The energy rolls right into “Break Away,” where Panfil’s vocals lead a march for anyone who’s ever felt oppressed, while the hard driving riffs of the guitars and drums set the pace. The EP then slows down as we move into “Square One,” which speaks of the struggle between the heart and the mind. The ballad is no less intense, though, and has some wonderful musicality at work, with the same driving drum and guitar riffs featured throughout Renovate. The same high octane energy kicks back in with “Black Out.” With sound reminiscent of Korn and Three Days Grace, this track will reach deep down into your gut. The EP wraps up with the same driving pace in “Fake,” which speaks deeply of dealing with betrayal and hypocrisy.
Everlit is going to be a hard rock band to watch, with heavy, driving riffs comparable to other bands such as Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, and Taproot. I definitely recommend picking yourself up a copy of Renovate when the EP drops on June 23rd. In the meantime, be sure to check out the official music video to “Break Away” and the lyric video for “A Phoenix Will Rise” over on Everlit’s YouTube channel.
