Break of Reality

As music performance majors from upstate New York,  Patrick Laird, Martin Torch-Ishii, Phil Borter and Ivan Trevino don’t initially appear to be your typical rock stars. Their visual appearance raises no red flags. But within these classically-trained cellists lurks the sonic tectonic plates of a earthquake with a Richter magnitude cranked all the way to eleven. So it may be a surprise that the quartet known as  Break of Reality fuses genre heavyweights hard rock and classical to generate a string ensemble sound most people assume died long ago. Never before have two genres of music, generally considered to be at opposite ends of the spectrum, been so seamlessly united. It’s tremendous that Break of Reality appeals to both fans of Metallica and Yo-Yo Ma, Iron Maiden and Vivaldi, but is this idea really that new? In the beginning, classical music by the likes of Igor Stravinsky, Niccolo Paganini, Franz Liszt, Beethoven overlaying artistic movements like Sturm Und Drang influenced some of the best metal bands around. Break of Reality is proof that these pioneers and their underlings have journeyed full circle, and it’s never sounded this good.

This modern twist on intense, romantic period music is undoubtedly composed with taste. The musicians’ expansive training is evident, whether it’s in the plucking techniques, dynamic disparity or varied time signatures. For the most part, Break of Reality’s compositions travel over sopping overcast soundscape terrains with both languid and jagged rhythms, ever so often verging on the brink of triumph. Fittingly, seldom will you hear a major tone. And the cinematic nature of their material— they’re a music supervisor’s dream—is probably why they’ve scored music for Fearless Music TV and PBS’ acclaimed AIR: America’s Investigative Reports. Having sold 30,000 copies of their two albums combined, it goes without saying that their sound is catching on.

Spectrum of the Sky

Spectrum of the Sky was released in May of this year with the idea of 10 separate tracks each encompassing their own sound and meaning.  It has since received overwhelmingly positive praise from many credible New York publications. Album standout “Vintage” opens like a dreary dawn, one cello plucking rhythm while the other longingly sweeps a melody drenched in melancholy. Yet before you can sink into the downtrodden groove, a third cello charges in unannounced with a driving rhythm to steal the spotlight, a spontaneous quality that is a trend present in most of BoR’s creations. Seconds later, the other two cellos join in, successfully morphing the sweeping tones and motivating rhythms. The ending of the song erases any sense of indecision as the weeping strokes and limping plucks return, making the song’s energetic climax seem like a distant memory. “Vintage” presents a number of emotional pallets to the audience, the barb on the alluring hook of BoR’s innovation. It may be dark, but it’s these dramatically ardent passages that make the unavoidable addiction rewarding. Title track “Spectrum of the Sky” builds in the same post-rock format, but maintains the introduction’s saddening feel throughout. This time, a full drum set is used, lending a rhythm locked tighter than any of their other songs. The middle of this track showcases a falling out of sorts, as the instruments depart one by one, only to return in full force shortly thereafter. Similarly to the ending of “Vintage,” “Spectrum of the Sky” departs with a decidedly different feel than the main body of the song, as rainfall accompanies quiet plucking and bowing in 3/4 that slowly fades away. Lighter (slower and quieter, but just as depressing) material can be heard on the compilation’s finale, “Anodynia,” a traditional four-movement string quartet.

Outside the recording studio, BoR brings their artistry to elementary, middle and high school students by hosting workshops dedicated to musical education. Through their loyalty to their art, and enthusiasm about making it as fresh as possible, there is no doubt that the future holds much promise for these incognito rockers. Pick up some of their tracks right here on OurStage before they break from obscurity!