Album Commentary: Iwrestledabearonce’s ‘It’s All Happening’

Categorized differently compared to a majority of bands and solo artists, Iwrestledabearonce is an American avant-garde metal crew that was formed from Shreveport, Louisiana, in 2007. Including other groups such as Ballet Brutality and Scared of the Dark, they were considered the first in the local avant-garde metal movement. This particular genre that they play ranges from a wide variety of death metal, industrial, noise, funk, hardcore, hip hop, progressive rock and even bluegrass.

Some tend to wonder where such a strange name for a band came from. Ironically enough, the title was originally a phrase that Gary Busey announced on Comedy Central.

Between their style of music and the name they decided to represent themselves as, it’s evident that this five-piece band is far from boring.

Even though Iwrestledabearonce has only been around for three short years, during the first year of becoming a band, they were successfully signed to Tragic Hero Records. Not too long afterward, through the same label, they managed to release a self-titled EP that contained six tracks.

Throughout this time, constant changes to the member lineup were being made, but this didn’t prevent Iwrestledabearonce from signing to a second label (Century Media) and gradually producing a full-length album.

Along the way, this experimental band has gone on tour with a number of popular acts such as August Burns Red, the Dillinger Escape Plan, the Human Abstract, Blessthefall, Fact, Greeley Estates, Sea of Treachery, Enter Shikari, Winds of Plague, All Shall Perish, Vanna and Horse the Band.

Current members include Krysta Cameron (lead vocalist), Steven Bradley (lead guitar, keyboards, samples, programming), Mike Martin (rhythm guitar, keyboards, samples, programming), Mikey Montgomery (drums, backing vocals) and John Ganey (bassist).

Their full-length album, “It’s All Happening,” was released in a way that is inconsistent compared to other CDs. This package contains three discs. The first carries 10 tracks. The second is a remix disc that other musicians have created that transforms nine out of the 10 songs into something completely opposite of what Iwrestledabearonce originally produced. The third is a bonus DVD that surprises fans with studio Webisodes, tour journals and promo videos that were specifically made for certain songs off of the album.

“You Ain’t No Family”: Being the first track off of “It’s All Happening,” it certainly starts it off right. Cameron begins with raging, screaming vocals that might scare those who aren’t used to this type of music, but those that are can easily be impressed. Extremely difficult to do, she constantly goes through the transaction of screaming to singing, which gradually calms the aura of the track. The entire song changes from hardcore beats to bluegrass and funky noises that create a random but amazing sound.

“White Water in the Morning”: The programming that Bradley and Martin create in this song is absolutely outstanding. The tunes are a bit mysterious and creepy, but the way Cameron sings along is suitable and strong. During a majority of the song, she sings, but then there’s a breakdown of a guitar riff that builds up the adrenaline for her to begin screaming. Just like “You Ain’t No Family,” the transactions are perfectly set, ending the song in a soothing way.

“Tastes Like Kevin Bacon”: Definitely considered one of the best tracks on the entire album. Cameron’s growls and inhales are insane. The electronic beats in the background are phenomenal, and can easily be danced to. If someone had to compete with Montgomery’s drumming, it would be almost impossible. His double pedaling is remarkably fast and off the wall.

“The Cat’s Pajamas”: The lyrics are totally irrelevant to the title that they decided to use for the song. The programming has a huge impact on the mood that the entire band is presenting. Even though this track stretches to only a little over three minutes, it still remains powerful, along with a hint of sadness. Screaming is barely incorporated — instead, the emotions of Cameron are more noticeable, and an unhappy explanation of family issues are demonstrated.

“Pazuzu for the Win”: The keyboarding for this song is great, but the vocals don’t really seem to flow as well. If less overlapping screaming was added, this track could have been a lot different, but better. Bradley and Martin’s guitar riffs go extremely well with what Ganey donates with bass. A mass of programming, guitar/bass and keyboarding combine to compose a variety of exceptional melodies.

“Black-Eyed Bush”: This song is out of the ordinary compared to the rest of the album. Cameron strictly mumbles unclear, high-pitched lyrics that follow simple and repetitive techno beats in the background. This track seems as if it would be an introduction to an album or to a song that gradually builds into something drastic. This is just one of those tracks that calms the aura of the CD and takes a break from the screaming vocals and the usual hardcore melody.

“Eli Cash vs. the Godless Savage”: The guitar riffs and drumming have an extreme dynamic impact during this song. Between the vocals, programming, guitar and bass, everything is exceedingly hard-hitting. The fact that listeners are able to hear Montgomery’s background vocals for this tune was a wonderful addition. It gave the mood a slight change, since Cameron’s voice wasn’t the only one being the center of attention.

“You Ain’t No Family” (DJ Danny Maverick of Horse The Band Remix): Compared to the original track that Iwrestledabearonce has produced, this song is beyond annoying. Huge fans of Iwrestledabearonce would most likely feel as if the remix has ruined the greatness of the actual song. In this case, agitating freestyle pauses and funky affects did not end up being beneficial. The way Cameron sings/screams was adjusted. Overall, it’s a disaster.

“Tastes Like Kevin Bacon” (Benjamin Weinman of Dillinger Escape Plan Remix): Considering that this was a complete transformation from the Iwrestledabearonce’s version, it wasn’t fully terrible. The entire song gives off a totally different sound, making it difficult to realize what song is being remixed. It seems as if the harmony was recreated, converting the original into a new song.

Studio Webisodes: These videos are similar to that of a diary entry. The band nonchalantly acts silly while they are recording and editing what the makings of “It’s All Happening” are going to result into. Even though they hard at work, this does not stop Iwrestledabearonce from having a good time while doing what they love the most.