The genesis story behind Miles of Fire starts with the break up of chaotic hardcore veterans Drowningman in May of 2023. "We had just played the Decibel Metal and Beer Fest and we were getting ready to record a new album for Iodine Records when things came to a head with the singer," says guitarist Javin Leonard.
"Unfortunately, after several chaotic months, we felt things were said and done that wouldn't be able to be repaired as band moving forward, so us four instrumentalists (myself, guitarist Matt Roy, Bassist TJ Maynard, and drummer William Molleur) left with the songs we had written for the new Iodine album."
Finding a vocalist to match the power the Miles of Fire was obviously vital, but Javin and company got it done rather quickly. "Shortly after the breakup, we recruited singer Ty Gurwicz (The Urgency) and Miles Of Fire was born. We spent the remainder of 2023 bringing Ty up to speed on the songs and recording five of them for an EP."
While we wait for the EP to drop, Miles of Fire have released their debut single, "Conditional," via a lyric video:
Javin talks about the new band's sound, which leans into the melodic side of things thanks largely to Ty's vocal style. To my ears, I would say it's got some Further Seems Forever and Saosin-like flavor to it in parts.
"It is very much in the post-hardcore/metalcore genre, but we have expanded a bit more into elements of straight-up hard rock. There is a pretty wide mix of chaotic technical parts mixed with melodic parts and the vocals range from brutal screams to melodic clean singing.
"I would say my personal influence for how we sound in the songs that I have written stems from the band Faith No More. When I heard their album Angel Dust, I knew I wanted to be in a band that was heavy, technical, melodic, and had both singing and screaming. But, I also like to mix in elements of hardcore, dissonant metal, and indie rock. I would say fans of Thursday, Glassjaw, Quicksand, or Sunny Day Real Estate might find our style appealing."
With the track out, Miles of Fire are starting to set up their debut collection. "We have just finished up a five-song EP that we are currently shopping around to labels. 'Conditional' will give one an idea of what the rest of the songs on the EP have to offer. The last track on the EP, 'Curses,' was written by our other guitarist, Matt Roy, and it took us the better part of a few months to get it down for recording. It’s really technical and has some odd time signatures and changes in it.
"All of the songs sound very much their own on this EP, as well. They all sound different, but are very unified by our writing style and sound."
READ MORE: Tim Singer (Deadguy, Kiss It Goodbye, Bitter Branches) Discusses His Unique Lyrical Style
So, now that we're up to date on the Miles of Fire story, I ask Javin for some other bands in Vermont No Echo readers should be checking out right now. "Voices In Vain, Intercourse, Fixation Arc, Cleanse, Quarenteam, Torn, Voidbringer, Locked In A Vacancy, Suburban Samurai, No Soul, Torn, Blossom, and Nailed Shut come to mind at the moment. For a more traditional hardcore sound, Old North End (O.N.E.) is keeping it real."
Miles of Fire on social media: Instagram
Tagged: drowningman, miles of fire
