“Breaking Point” came out in 2012.
It comes on the back of a Kickstarter campaign to fan fund the album and tour. Like many successful fan funded projects, they surpassed their initial goal of $25,000.
And once the deadline passed, the band had received over $50,000.
They used the money to get outside producers to work on the album (and you notice the sound improvement immediately), to pay for a larger marketing campaign to promote the album and to finance a longer tour around the U.S.
Forget You
It features Clint Lowery, the lead guitarist from Sevendust.
It’s a great opener, more heavy rock than the “alternative metal” branding.
Check out the intro riff.
Now that I’m sober
I’m finally making up my mind
I can see who you really are
The great awakening from the haze.
Shut your mouth, I’m done listening to you
It’s over, it’s over, I’ve had enough were through
I’m taking back the person that I used to be
Before these scars, before your lies so FUCK you, forget you, goodbye
There’s no love there. A perfect F U.
And finally we get a lead break spotlight in the Digital Summer catalogue.
Breaking Point
A Disturbed like riff starts off the title track.
Stand up, just look at me
And tell me what you see
Besides a man on the brink of insanity
Growing up on the 80’s themes of standing up for yourself and living on a prayer or the story songs like rat-tailed Jimmy and a Chevy with primered flames, the 90’s changed those themes to be more personal, full of self-doubt, depression and a certain darkness.
And it continued even in movies.
The Michael Douglas pic, “Falling Down”, shows a man on the brink of insanity and what happens when he falls off the brink.
Cut Me Open
I like the way this starts, with the electronics and the clean tone arpeggio riff.
But this time I realize from the bottom there’s no place left to go
There is a saying that when you hit rock bottom the only way is up.
But sometimes, there is no place left to go. And the lyrics definitely bring back memories of “Down In A Hole” from Alice In Chains. Great song but the topic is heavy.
Fight Til I Fall
It reminds me of Seether.
Nothing to lose when you’ve lost it all
To the death I will fight till I fall
This is when a person is most dangerous. When they have nothing to lose.
Broken Halo
There is this U2 vibe in the verses which I like and the Arena Rock Chorus would not be out of place on a Shinedown album.
You’re my favourite addiction
The perfect complication
You’re my favourite addiction
My sick and twisted medication
My favourite addiction is music. It’s always music. It doesn’t matter how I feel, music is always there for me, unconditionally loving me.
Come On
It’s an aggressive song, reminding more of Breaking Benjamin than anything else.
In relation to themes, Skid Row had “Piece Of Me” and Digital Summer has “Come On” and “Fight Till I Fall”.
Come on, come on if you survive this round
Step it up or you’ll be going down
It’s very Ivan Moody like who was always looking at taking someone on in his lyrics.
War Against Myself
Why can’t you see that I’m at war against myself
For once could I fight someone else
We are our own worst enemies. We would ponder a simple mistake forever.
Dance In The Fire
I like the Intro as it reminds me of songs that New Order write.
And we dance in the fire
And we laugh at the flames and never learn
With no cares for tomorrow
Cause tonight we just love how it burns
It’s not as bad as “She Goes Down” from the Crue or Jovi’s “Bad Medicine” or how Springsteen is looking for some action while dancing in the dark, but it’s a song about getting laid.
Overdose
An intro similar to “Dance In The Fire” kicks off this song.
You’re like an overdose with no antidote
I’ve fallen victim far too many times
The sins of lust and the damage left behind when the lust and fire ends.
Wanted To Love You
This is a great ballad and the vocal delivery is excellent.
As if they’re paved into the sidewalks
These city streets reflect my thoughts and moments
When you walk the streets of your hometown your whole life, every pavement step and street corner contains a memory.
I’ve wanted to love you, for so long I need to
It’s the only thing left that my heart knows to do
You can hear the pain in the voice, the emotion is very Aaron Lewis like. Musically I like how the piano plays over a foundation of electronic noises and repeating guitar lines.
Broken Halo (Acoustic)
An acoustic version acts as a bonus track.
Instead of 16 songs, we get 10 this time around.
For an unsigned and truly independent band, this is a slick addition to the alternative metal movement.
The tour they had with 12 Stones had a shitty Agent and in some cities, cancellations ensured.
However Digital Summer still arrived at those cities and spread the word to their fans that they are in town to meet and greet.
And they did this by taking time off from their day jobs as firefighters, paramedics, producers and teachers.
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