UNORTHODOX - "Asylum", 1992 (Hellhound Records) - To the uninitiated, the Maryland and DC area may be known as the birthplace for Zappa, David Byrne, Marty Friedman, Reptilian Records, BAD BRAINS, KIX, MYSTIC FORCE, HALF JAPANESE, the only place that CRACK THE SKY band landed any real popularity, or (more recently) the home of death metal acts like MISERY INDEX and DYING FETUS. But select, long-time residents of the area with an interest in underground metal will share tales of the rich, distinctive doom metal scene in Baltimore and DC, epitomized by legendary bands like THE OBSESSED, INTERNAL VOID, REVELATION, PENTAGRAM, and one that may not be as familiar - Maryland's UNORTHODOX.
Formed sometime in the late 80s in the Gaithersburg / Rockville area of southern Maryland, the band operated under the name ASYLUM for years until around 1992, when they were forced to change their name (evidently ASYLUM was already copyrighted by another band). Fueled by the classic sounds of SABBATH as well as progressive, guitar-driven music like PINK FLOYD, RUSH, HENDRIX, and VOIVOD, as well as the straight-ahead, driving aggression of THE MELVINS and THE DAMNED, ASYLUM/UNORTHODOX centered around the superb talents of lead guitarist / vocalist Dale Flood and guitarist/bassist Jeff Parsons (who also played in the thrash band INDESTROY and Maryland doom stalwarts WRETCHED).
Flood was the only constant throughout the band's lineup changes. Besides some demos under the ASYLUM moniker, the band's main recordings consisted of the "Asylum" disc (released on the infamous German Hellhound label in 1992) as well as the excellent 1995 follow-up disc "Balance of Power". The band never really called it quits, still gigging around the Baltimore and DC area with other local acts like AGAINST NATURE and IRON MAN here and there.
THE MEMBERS: Ronnie Kalimon (drums), Jeff Parsons (bass), Dale Flood (guitars / vocals)
THE PRODUCTION: - The "Asylum" album was recorded at Oz Studios in Baltimore. Engineer and producer Frank Marchand was a big fan and really pushed the band to perform. Although the album was recorded in 1992, much of the production style seems inspired by classic 70s guitar rock, capturing a commanding 'power trio' essence in the recording. Haunting vocals and psychedelic guitar with lots of wah weaves in and out of the mix, not unlike a 70s RUSH or HENDRIX recording. There isn't a lot of rhythm guitar, obviously. But the snappy, accomplished drumming of Ronnie Kalimon sounds huge throughout the proceedings, driving the band's frequent turnarounds. The reverb on the vocals and lead guitar, along with robust, beefy riffs still sounds fresh by today's standards, like UNORTHODOX probably sounded in a small club with good acoustics.
THE GUITARS : It's obvious that Dale took a lot of time to craft his icepick-sharp guitar tone, and it pays off in spades throughout the recording. From the elegant, crisscrossing melodies that introduce "Feel Like You" to the eastern-sounding Blackmore-isms and open voicings of "Scorpio Rising", his Hendrixy leads add spice to every track.
The production style seems inspired by classic 70s guitar rock, capturing a commanding 'power trio' essence in the recording.
One of the more interesting elements of his playing involves a tendency to stop, seemingly at the dramatic height of a solo or jam, and introduce a clean guitar passage or an arpeggiated sequence that starts the ball rolling again. He employs this signature shift several times in "Unseen World", following the first jam in "Asylum", and at the midpoint of "Feel Like You".
HOW DOES THIS RELATE TO JELLO BAIFRA?: Well, Jello's affiliation with Ralph Nader's Green Party is no big secret. It just so happens that Biafra was named as a candidate for the 2000 presidential election. Nothing ever really came of it, but Green Pary headquarters are located in Washington DC, less than 30 miles from Gaithersburg and Silver Spring MD, the area that spawned UNORTHODOX.
SOME KEY TRACKS:
"Harvest": is one of the strongest, spaciest jams on the record. Dale Flood shifts back and forth between powerhouse riffs and sweet, bell-like melodies. During some points in the song, there are several solos going on at one time. The contrast between heavy riffs and ringing strings in this epic 7+ minute track recalls some of Alex Lifeson's early work.
"Feel Like You": A melancholy, mid-tempo riff gives way to some guitar harmonies and some howling leads with Flood's fabulous touch. Lyrically, the theme of betrayal, internal conflict, and regret (which are common themes throughout the album) set the somewhat downbeat, doomy overtone that pervades the track.
"Forgotten Image": Probably the most angular track on the album, almost KING CRIMSON-like in a couple of spots. Lines like, "When I look for wisdom, it's hands are cold and dry" again suggests feelings of extreme frustration borne from a life of hardship.
AND IN CLOSING: While there are plenty of places online and in print praising the European origins of doom metal, there's not much about quality releases like this one (save perhaps some mentions of Scott Weinrich's project THE HIDDEN HAND). Fortunately for the music-buying populous, "Asylum" was reissued a couple of years ago by Bipolar Demand Records. Fanatics of 70s guitar rock like the bands mentioned above, power trio stuff like early BUDGIE, or quality doom a la PENTAGRAM need to grab this one post haste.
Special thanks to Josh Hart for his contributions to this article.
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