STAIND Frontman Talks a Return To Heavy Roots and 9/11

Staind Goes Heavy Mental

After 16 years in the trenches, Massachusetts alt metal quartet Staind has come full circle with the release of its self-titled seventh album. This is a return to heaviness. Frontman Aaron Lewis takes responsibility for sometimes blurring the sonic boundaries of Staind‘s sound, bringing in songs that were better suited to his solo efforts.

The quartet was universal in its desire to return to the heavy roots Staind grew from a decade and a half ago. While the resulting record is the best the band’s made in years, the process became dysfunctional and miserable for all involved. Four men went into the battle, and only three came out. When it was all over, drummer Jon Wysocki left the band. Fans can only hope it is a mere separation, and he will once again return home.

Staind bleeds with strife, darkness, and anger. The mood and vibe of the recording process permeates the album, and as painful as it was for the band, it made the album that much more potent.

The band will mark the release of their new self-titled album by performing a special show in New York City to benefit the families of 9/11. The show will be held at the Best Buy Theater in Times Square on September 15^th. In commemoration of the 10^th anniversary of 9/11, tickets to the show will be priced at $9.11, with all revenue from the show to benefit the families of 9/11 victims.

“As the release of our new album coincides with the 10^th anniversary of 9/11, we wanted to use the attention to make the point that there is still much work for all of us to do. We are deliberately making the ticket price $9.11 to underscore the point that if enough of us do just a little bit, together we can make a big difference in the lives of the families who’s members made the supreme sacrifice for our country.” — Aaron Lewis

The band has also made a one hour documentary on the making of the new record, which can be viewed below. It will also be a feature on the deluxe edition of the CD.

I spoke with Lewis this week to talk about the new album and the turmoil involved in the recording process. We touched on 9/11, the departure of Jon Wysocki, and the band’s return to the heaviness that diehard fans have been waiting for.