SMALL TOWN TITANS
@ SMT HQ, YORK (PA)
FEBRUARY 6, 2021
After a series of unavoidable delays, Pennsylvaniaโs Small Town Titans has returned with its long-awaited release party for their 2020 album, The Ride. The critically-acclaimed record from the power trio was a definite favourite this year, and the livestream saw the hard rock outfit getting together in their studio โ a familiar setting to those whoโve watched their recent music videos โ to bring the album to life in an exciting, polished, and explosive fashion.
Performing all 10 songs from The Ride in its entirety, the band kicked off with the throat-wrenching scream and climatic opening of โRuffing Feathersโ. The band was in top form with vocalist and bassist Phil Freeman switching seamlessly between gruff melodies and aggressive screams. Guitarist Ben Guiles jumped across the stage, ripping riffs and lead lines with a tone that cut through the air, while Jonny Ross held a heavy foundation with a tight groove behind the drums. Furthermore, the vocal harmonies between all three members were enough to send chills down your spine. If they were only getting warmed up on โRuffing Feathersโ, by the time they hit the following the track, โThe Manโ, Small Town Titans were an absolute powerhouse of a band, stream rolling over their heaviest of songs with the sound of a band twice their size.
THE RIDE ALBUM REVIEW
What was especially exciting about The Ride Release Party was the audio and visual quality of the livestream. Running through a live studio setup, the audio was professionally mixed on the fly to sound equally clear and massive. This in itself was a relief as the primary challenge of a live stream concert is delivering an audio and visual experience that enhances their performance, rather than hinder it. Aside from taking breaks between numbers to share quick stories about the writing and recording of each song, and reading aloud live comments left by fans watching, Small Town Titans put together a seamless show that continued forward with a sense of flow that felt organic.
Musically, the band tackled the incredible harmonies of โBehind The Moonโ, the shifting tones of โLet Me Breatheโ, the sleazy vibe of Marcyโs Playground cover, โSex And Candyโ, and the grunge-inspired ballad โ9 To 5โ with a level of conviction. Additionally, the relentless โUniversal Limitsโ and โWhen It All Comes Downโ were as hard-hitting as they come. Just as it was with The Ride upon its release last November, watching Small Town Titans live was a master class in performance, while further demonstrating the strength of their songwriting. On top of the stellar performance of their record, the band dove into System Of A Downโs โAerialsโ in a manner that rivalled the original.
In all regards, Small Town Titans are a band that everyone, everyone, should know. They should be considered leaders among the growing underground rock scene, and should be on the verge of making it โ whatever that means these days. If The Ride Release Party demonstrates anything, itโs that Small Town Titans has everything it takes to be your next favourite band. The range demonstrated in their songwriting is matched by the visceral and musically sophisticated nature of their performance. In short, Small Town Titansโ The Ride Release Party is among the best livestream concerts Iโve watched in the last year.
Artistย Links
SPILL ALBUM REVIEW: THE LUKA STATE – FALL IN FALL OUT
SPILL FEATURE: CATCH THE WAVE AND TAKE THE RIDE – A CONVERSATION WITH SMALL TOWN TITANS’ PHIL FREEMAN
