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Graphic Nature

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Graphic Nature
OriginKent, England
GenresNu metalcore
Years active2018–present
LabelsRude
Members
  • Harvey Freeman
  • Pete Woolven
  • Matas Michaliovskis
  • Charlie Smith
  • Jack Bowdery
Websitegn404.com

Graphic Nature are a British nu metalcore band, based in Kent, England. The band's style mixes nu metal and metalcore with influences of electronic music, whilst its lyrics are themed around mental health. After self-releasing four singles, the band signed to Rude Records in 2021. The band released their debut album A Mind Waiting to Die in 2023, which they supported with performances at the 2000trees, Download, Reading & Leeds and Misery Loves Company festivals. Their second album, Who Are You When No One is Watching?, was released on 12 July 2024.

History

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2018–2021: Formation and early singles

[edit]

Graphic Nature were formed in mid-2018 by vocalist Harvey Freeman, guitarists Pete Woolven and Matas Michaliovskis, bassist Charlie Smith and drummer Jack Bowdery.[1][2] Whilst Freeman is from London, the other members of the band are based in Kent, England.[2][3] The band took their name from the Deftones song of the same name, from their seventh album Koi No Yokan (2012).[4] Over the course of a year,[5] the band wrote between five or ten songs in a variety of styles, ranging from metalcore to hardcore.[6] After Woolven sent the band a rough demo of "Grit", they decided to pursue a nu metal sound.[6] In 2022, Freeman told Rock Sound:

Nu metal was such a big influence on us [...] We were playing music we didn't love as much as the music we grew up with, and if you're not playing something you enjoy then what's the point [in] playing it? So we decided to put more 90's riffs into it, and more electronics.[7]

Graphic Nature released their debut single, "Grit", on 21 August 2019.[8] By February 2020, the band had released two more singles, "Mortal Fear" and "De[in]fect", and played a number of shows supporting larger bands including Creature, Gassed Up, Heart of a Coward, Lock & Key, Monasteries, MTXS and Palm Reader.[5][9][10][11][12] Of the reception to Graphic Nature's music, Freeman said that the audiences they played to "either fucking [loved] it or [had] no idea what to do."[5] The band began writing material again in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, with the plan of releasing two EPs in one year.[6] Freeman said that the lockdowns helped the band's members "find [their] own segments",[6] and it inspired him to write about his experiences and challenges with mental health and isolation during the pandemic.[13][14] In August 2021, Graphic Nature signed to Rude Records, who reissued the band's back catalog of singles.[15][16]

2022–present: A Mind Waiting to Die and Who Are You When No One is Watching?

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On 25 February 2022, Graphic Nature released their debut EP, New Skin.[17][18] During 2022, the band played shows with Employed to Serve, Ho99o9, Cancer Bats, Witch Fever, Vended, Vexed and SeeYouSpaceCowboy.[19][20] By the time the EP was released, the band were already working on new material in the studio, and the planned second EP was turned into the band's debut album, A Mind Waiting to Die.[6] The band planned on releasing the album at the end of 2022, but it was pushed back due to Slipknot releasing an album in September of that year.[21] It was released on 17 February 2023,[14] receiving mixed-to-positive reviews from critics.[22][23][24][25][26][27] Kerrang! and Rock Sound both listed the album as one of the best of 2023.[28][29] Following its release, Graphic Nature performed at the 2023 editions of the 2000trees, Download, Reading & Leeds and Misery Loves Company festivals.[30][31][32][33]

On 4 April 2024, Graphic Nature announced their second album Who Are You When No One is Watching? and released the single "To the Grave".[34] The album was partially inspired by Freeman's struggles with PTSD after he was physically assaulted in early 2023.[3] The band wrote the album quickly after the release of their first as they were on a creative spree; by the time of its announcement, some of their songs were still untitled and/or unmixed.[3] It was released on 12 July 2024. In July 2024, the band embarked on a headlining tour in the leadup to the Radar Festival in Manchester.[35][36] In August, Graphic Nature performed at the Heavy Music Awards 2024, where A Mind Waiting to Die won the "Best Breakthrough Album" award.[37][38]

Musical style and themes

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Graphic Nature have been described nu metalcore,[39][40][41] and as nu metal[4][18][42][43] and metalcore[44][45][46][47] separately. In his review of A Mind Waiting to Die, Tim Bolitho-Jones of Distorted Sound noted a "techno/electronica edge to [the band's sound] reminiscent of the likes of Pitchshifter and Senser."[25] Metal Hammer also noted the album's use of electronic samples.[27] Freeman has described the band's music as "a mix of nu metal and hardcore with some garage and [drum and bass] influences", and said that its members were collectively influenced by 90's nu metal bands including Korn, Deftones, Ill Niño, Limp Bizkit, P.O.D. and Slipknot.[4][21][48] Additional influences include film soundtracks and the Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy video game series.[4][13] The band's lyrics, drawn from Freeman's personal experiences, are centered around mental health,[7][27] addressing subjects including anxiety, loneliness, depression, suicide and neurodivergence.[3][6][7][19][20][49]

The band's creative process begins with Pete Woolven writing guitar parts with a rough drum track, before Freeman adds lyrics and demoes the track from his home.[50] Freeman has described his creative process as unscheduled and largely spontaneous: "Whenever something hits me I have to write it down [...] There’s a vibe that comes with that which you only get at night when you’re alone with your thoughts. It’s not always the best thing – when those darker thoughts come out, things can feel pretty bad – but it adds a realism to our music."[4] Afterwards, the band engages "a lot of back and forth with ideas" before arriving at the finished result.[50]

Band members

[edit]
  • Harvey Freeman – vocals
  • Pete Woolven – guitars
  • Matas Michaliovskis – guitars
  • Charlie Smith – bass
  • Jack Bowdery – drums

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Heavy Music Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2024 A Mind Waiting to Die Best Breakthrough Album Won [51][38]
Themselves Best UK Breakthrough Live Artist Nominated

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected details
Title Album details
A Mind Waiting to Die
  • Released: 17 February 2023
  • Label: Rude
  • Format: CD, CS, LP, DD
Who Are You When No One Is Watching?
  • Released: 12 July 2024
  • Label: Rude
  • Format: CD, CS, LP, DD

Compilation albums

List of compilation albums, with selected details
Title Album details
Vol. 404
  • Released: 29 September 2023
  • Label: Rude
  • Format: LP

EPs

List of EPs, with selected details
Title EP details
Vol. 1
  • Released: 25 April 2020[52]
  • Label: Self-released
  • Format: CS, DD
New Skin
  • Released: 25 February 2022
  • Label: Rude
  • Format: DD

Singles

List of singles
Title Year Album
"Grit" 2019 Vol. 1
"Mortal Fear"
"De[in]fect"[53] 2020
"Leech"[54]
"Chokehold"[55] 2021 New Skin
"Drain"[56]
"New Skin"[17] 2022
"Into the Dark" / "Bad Blood"[57] A Mind Waiting to Die
"White Noise"[58]
"Killing Floor"[59]
"Headstone"[60] 2023
"Fractured"[49] Who Are You When No One Is Watching?
"To the Grave"[34] 2024
"Something I'm Not"[61]
"Human"[62]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Monique (21 November 2022). "Interview with Graphic Nature". The Great Frog. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  2. ^ a b Lee (8 July 2023). "Review Zoo talk Mental Health with Harvey Freeman of Graphic Nature!". ReviewZoo. Archived from the original on 28 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d Ruskell, Nick (3 April 2024). "Graphic Nature: "We're grateful for everything, because in a second it can be taken away"". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e Richardson, Jake (24 February 2022). "5 reasons why you need to check out Graphic Nature". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  5. ^ a b c Hubbard, Sean (24 February 2020). "Undiscovered: Graphic Nature – Creating A Powerful Sense Of Dread". Discovered Magazine. Archived from the original on 1 March 2020. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Howell, Maddy (21 March 2023). "Passing of the torch: Graphic Nature open up vital conversations on their nu-metal inspired debut 'A Mind Waiting To Die'". Knotfest. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Tipple, Ben (March 2022). "Breakout: Graphic Nature". Rock Sound. No. 287. Rock Sound Ltd. pp. 10–11.
  8. ^ Anon. (21 August 2019). "Graphic Nature - Drop New Single and Video "Grit"". insaneblog.net. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  9. ^ Anon. (2 September 2019). "NEWS: "Death Measure" Tour from Lock & Key!". Metal Noise. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  10. ^ Anon. (11 February 2020). "Bootleg: "Mortal Fear" from Graphic Nature!". Metal Noise. Archived from the original on 22 May 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  11. ^ Anon. (9 February 2020). "NEWS: Graphic Nature seek cleansing! – Metal Noise". Metal Noise. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  12. ^ Westbrook, Corinne (23 February 2020). "Underground Buzz: Need More -Core? Listen To Ligature Marks Graphic Nature, Xenobiotic". Metal Injection. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  13. ^ a b Anon. (April–May 2023). "Katharsis" [Catharsis]. Ox-Fanzine (in German). Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  14. ^ a b Carter, Emily (18 November 2022). "Graphic Nature announce debut album, a mind waiting to die". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 18 November 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  15. ^ Anon. (6 August 2021). "Graphic Nature Sign To Rude Records". Front View Magazine. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  16. ^ Anon. (4 August 2021). "Graphic Nature - Sign To Rude Records, New Music To Be Released Later This Year". Archived from the original on 16 January 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  17. ^ a b Carter, Emily (17 January 2022). "Graphic Nature unleash new skin from upcoming EP". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 4 February 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  18. ^ a b Grice, Alisdair (1 March 2022). "EP REVIEW: new skin - Graphic Nature". Distorted Sound Magazine. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  19. ^ a b Gonzales, Ramon (16 September 2022). "Graphic Nature modernize nu-metal with the debut of "White Noise"". Knotfest. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  20. ^ a b Hickie, James (15 May 2023). "Graphic Nature: "I want kids to listen to us who are like me – introverted kids. I want that kind of connection"". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 24 May 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  21. ^ a b David, Maximo (27 March 2023). "IN CONVERSATION: Harvey Freeman of Graphic Nature". Boolin Tunes. Archived from the original on 3 April 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  22. ^ Koll, Sebastian (April–May 2023). "Review - Graphic Nature - A Mind Waiting to Die". Ox-Fanzine (in German). Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  23. ^ Law, Sam (14 February 2023). "Album review: Graphic Nature – a mind waiting to die". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 24 November 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  24. ^ Worden, Mitch. "Graphic Nature - A Mind Waiting to Die (album review ) | Sputnikmusic". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  25. ^ a b Bolitho-Jones, Tim (15 February 2023). "ALBUM REVIEW: a mind waiting to die - Graphic Nature". Distorted Sound Magazine. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  26. ^ omne metallum (25 March 2023). "Graphic Nature - A Mind Waiting To Die review". Metal Storm. Archived from the original on 6 June 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  27. ^ a b c Leaver, Elliot (March 2023). "Album Reviews". Metal Hammer. No. 371. UK: Future plc. p. 93.
  28. ^ "The 50 best albums of 2023". Kerrang!. 11 December 2023. Archived from the original on 19 January 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  29. ^ Rock Sound (15 December 2023). "Rock Sound's Top 50 Albums Of 2023 | The Album Story". Rock Sound. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  30. ^ Hillier, Dan (15 July 2023). "2000 Trees Festival 2023: The Review – Thursday". Noizze UK. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  31. ^ Wilkes, Emma (8 June 2023). "The big review: Download Festival 2023". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  32. ^ Richards, Will (19 August 2023). "Check out the full stage times for Reading & Leeds 2023". NME. Archived from the original on 24 August 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  33. ^ Sanders, Naomi (18 October 2023). "Festival Review: Misery Loves Company Festival 2023". Distorted Sound Magazine. Archived from the original on 18 October 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  34. ^ a b Carter, Emily (4 April 2024). "Graphic Nature announce new album, Who Are You When No One Is Watching?". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  35. ^ Anon. (12 April 2024). "News: Graphic Nature announce major July touring plans!". Metal Noise. Archived from the original on 28 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  36. ^ Carter, Emily (20 February 2024). "RADAR Festival team up with Music Venue Trust to help support grassroots venues". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  37. ^ foreverloudnet (26 June 2024). "Heavy Music Awards 2024 Performing Artists Revealed". Forever Loud. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
  38. ^ a b "Heavy Music Awards 2024 Winners Revealed". Heavy Music Awards. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
  39. ^ BrooklynVegan Staff (13 January 2023). "25 New Songs Out Today". BrooklynVegan. Archived from the original on 11 March 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  40. ^ Hill, Stephen (1 June 2023). "4 brilliant new metal bands you need to hear this month". Metal Hammer. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024 – via loudersound.
  41. ^ Kielich, Kris (23 March 2022). "Graphic Nature: Dealing In Discomfort". Distorted Sound Magazine. Archived from the original on 6 August 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  42. ^ Enis, Eli (18 November 2022). "6 Best New Songs Right Now". Revolver. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  43. ^ Wilkes, Emma (8 July 2024). "Album review: Graphic Nature – Who Are You When No One Is Watching?". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 8 July 2024. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
  44. ^ Sacher, Andrew (8 December 2021). "Watch UK metalcore band Graphic Nature's video for new song "Drain"". BrooklynVegan. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  45. ^ "GRAPHIC NATURE release pair of pummeling new singles "Into The Dark" and "Bad Blood" - IDIOTEQ.com". 18 July 2022. Archived from the original on 27 November 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  46. ^ Rogers, Jack (21 September 2022). "Graphic Nature Share Desolating New Track 'White Noise'". Rock Sound. Archived from the original on 28 May 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  47. ^ Loudwire Staff (30 June 2023). "The Best Rock + Metal Albums of 2023 (So Far)". Loudwire. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  48. ^ Monique (21 November 2022). "Interview with Graphic Nature". The Great Frog. Archived from the original on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  49. ^ a b Carter, Emily (24 November 2023). "Graphic Nature unleash ferocious new single, Fractured". Kerrang!. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  50. ^ a b Zebra, John (7 October 2022). "Interview: Graphic Nature Chat About Their Latest Single and Video, 'White Noise'". Australian Music News | AAA BACKSTAGE. Archived from the original on 7 October 2022. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  51. ^ "The Heavy Music Awards Unveils 2024 Finalists". Knotfest. 24 April 2024. Archived from the original on 26 April 2024. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  52. ^ Graphic Nature (25 April 2020). "Graphic Nature - Graphic Nature Vol. 1 cassette tapes are now available online. Includes exclusive track "leech" and all released music + digital download for all songs". Facebook. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  53. ^ Graphic Nature (10 February 2020). "de[in]fect". Bandcamp. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  54. ^ Graphic Nature (12 July 2020). "leech". Bandcamp. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  55. ^ Weaver, James (31 October 2021). "Graphic Nature release new music video for 'Chokehold'". Distorted Sound Magazine. Archived from the original on 21 May 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  56. ^ Weaver, James (9 December 2021). "Graphic Nature release new music video for 'drain'". Distorted Sound Magazine. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  57. ^ "Graphic Nature drop two new singles, Into The Dark and Bad Blood". Kerrang!. 18 July 2022. Archived from the original on 4 February 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  58. ^ Weaver, James (21 September 2022). "Graphic Nature release new music video for 'White Noise'". Distorted Sound Magazine. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  59. ^ Weaver, James (18 November 2022). "Graphic Nature announce debut album 'a mind waiting to die'". Distorted Sound Magazine. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  60. ^ Weaver, James (13 January 2023). "Graphic Nature release new music video for 'Headstone'". Distorted Sound Magazine. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  61. ^ Taylor, Sam (24 May 2024). "Graphic Nature have announced their new album with early single 'Something I'm Not'". Dork. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  62. ^ Harrison, Dan (21 June 2024). "Graphic Nature have released a new single about the attraction of the shiny new thing, 'Human'". Dork. Retrieved 3 July 2024.
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