The New Jersey/New York metal supergroup Disciples of Verity features members of Living Colour, God Forbid, Negative Sky and Sekond Skyn. PHOTO COURTESY OF LABEL GROUP
Wow! Corey Glover is only four months younger than me, but as the lead singer of the new heavy metal supergroup Disciples of Verity on their debut album, “Pragmatic Sanction,” he rocks like a kid half our age. And it’s freakin’ awesome, as is the entire New Jersey/New York-based band. In addition to Corey from Living Colour, there is drummer Corey Pierce of God Forbid, bassist George Pond and guitarist Danny Puma, both of Negative Sky, and guitarist Mark Monjoy of Sekond Skyn. And in addition to them, there’s a special guest on each track!
The eight-song album opens with the Sevendust-like assault of “Lying to Myself,” featuring hammerjack-like duels between Mark, Danny and Machine Head guitarist Phil Demmel. Speaking of Sevendust, the next track, “The Flow,” features their drummer Morgan Rose on a tune that is aptly named because of George’s thick, meaty slap, reminiscent of fellow Jersey rocker John “JD” DeServio of Black Label Society and Cycle of Pain. Meanwhile, the guitars rock on a Metallica tip, but the melody and Corey’s vocals are much more progressive-sounding although just as menacing.
Lies are explored by these truth seekers throughout their LP, including on “Worthy,” a self-examination of love that boasts a beastly drum attack by Corey Pierce that sounds like he’s playing a double bass whether or not he is. Jeff Loomis, guitarist of the Seattle band Nevermore and now the Swedish band Arch Enemy, guests on this one.
“The Lost Ones,” featuring George and Danny’s Negative Sky mate J.J. Sammataro on guitar, is one of the more commercial-sounding tracks because of melodic tendencies, including a pretty guitar intro to an anthemic chorus, but that doesn’t mean the Disciples don’t let up on their voracious flair and edgy attitude. The confessional progressiveness of the subsequent “Confiding in the Shadows” goes into a darker direction with a sprinkle of Sabbath spiced with a hefty helping of some of the many alt-metal bands they influenced. That’s one of two tracks that feature L.A. guitarist-composer Joe Gareri. The other is the closing catharsis of “I AM I.”
“Pragmatic Sanction” also includes “Remember the Living,” a fierce, foreboding track featuring Kittie guitarist Tara McLeod, and a raging cover of X Ambassadors “Unsteady,” which is the album’s latest single.
Due Aug. 21 digitally and Sept. 18 physically via The Label Group, this is a really exciting record by an equally exciting band who make me wish the pandemic was over immediately so I could go see them! They are scheduled to celebrate the release of the album on Oct. 23 at Dingbatz in Clifton, but I’m too chicken shit (and too at risk) to go. But if you have the guts to go. Tonal Crush and Corvid Corpus also will play the all-ages show.
Bob Makin is a reporter for MyCentralJersey.com and the former managing editor of The Aquarian Weekly, which launched this column in 1988. Contact him via email and like Makin Waves on Facebook.
