On My Playlist: Top 5 Texas in July songs
One of the best and, in my opinion, the most underrated metalcore bands on the scene were Texas in July – a now defunct band that brought some epic heaviness to their music and certainly turned up the heat with all their albums. The breakdowns are absolutely pulsating and the screams and instruments are downright …
One of the best and, in my opinion, the most underrated metalcore bands on the scene were Texas in July – a now defunct band that brought some epic heaviness to their music and certainly turned up the heat with all their albums. The breakdowns are absolutely pulsating and the screams and instruments are downright innovative with a touch of nastiness. Think August Burns Red turned up a notch and you will get an idea of what Texas in July sounds like. The band consisted of Adam Gray – drums; Ben Witkowski – bass guitar; Chris Davis – lead guitar; J.T. Cavey – vocals and Cameron Welsh – rhythm guitar.
Honourable Mentions: ‘Magnolia’, ‘No Greater Love’, ‘Pseudo Self’, ‘Illuminate’, ‘Defenseless’ and ‘Lancaster’.
- Hook, Line & Sinker
The old-school classic from Texas In July that put them on the map starts off this countdown. The track has a different sound to their more polished material but it still stands the test of time with its breakneck speed and metalcore-influenced guitar playing combined with enough breakdowns and deep growls to keep things interesting. The numerous time changes that you can hear in this track paved the way for the sound of their later material and one really needs to appreciate the absolute rawness here. It will get you hooked (no pun intended).
- 1000 Lies
This is one of the songs where the former vocalist, Alex Good, still featured and you can clearly hear the emotion in his voice in the unrelenting track. The song focuses on self-improvement and letting go of the lies that you are not good enough. Follow your heart and know that you are able to do it, regardless of what others say. The lyrics are well written and promote this positive message throughout the track: ‘Finally I’ve become the person I’ve wanted to be. It’s taken me a long time But this is how it goes and I’m learning quickly to surround myself with those who value me and are proud of me.’
- Nooses
This is one of the darker Texas in July tracks. It looks at how trouble and fears can choke the life out of us and the need to rise up for what we belong to or, instead, be driven under by false teachings.
The song has a pulsating tempo from the start with a hard, crunching breakdown and down-tuned guitars creating a great platform for the band to thrive upon. ‘Asphyxiating in water so cold. Frigid straight to the marrow. Pushed down, buried deep inside Where no light can shine through. To live within weakened thoughts and brittle bones.’
- Broken Soul
This song hits you from out of nowhere with its ominous, frantic guitar riffs that border on rocket-like speed and tenacity. Cavey’s vocals here are on point, especially in the chorus where he sings ‘broken soul, swallowed in this hole. Another day, another victim takes its toll.’
One of the best parts of this song is where Cavey sings ‘who do you answer to?’ followed by a humungous breakdown that will let you stomp your feet and smash something to pieces.
This song really is one constant motion of fast and blistering beats in one heart shaking passage on fulfilment and healing for a broken soul. The guitar in the outro is also one of the best elements with a real djent sound that will have you headbanging for days.
- Sweetest Poison
‘Sweetest Poison’ is, in my opinion, the band’s magnum opus with lead singer, J.T. Cavey giving a spine-tingling performance throughout. The instrumentation is brutal from the start and the various musical nuances really take this song to another level. The verse with the palm-muted breakdown rhythm is something to behold as Cavey sings: ‘Fooled into thinking I was the only one.’
The song focuses on broken households, the emotional scarring involved and how the best antidote is to overcome it and move on and find a better life. Gray must also be commended for some tight drumming that gives the song its signature sound.
The chorus is where this track really shines as Cavey and Welsh sing to intertwine the clean, harsh vocals: “I’m on my own and now I’m closer to finding a way to bring me back.’
The bridge is also one of the major surprises with an August Burns Red-like spoken word piece that works brilliantly to convey the emotion:
‘As my former heart crumbles to dust I ready my mind and I reassemble. I’m letting go, I’m starting over, breathe it in like the sweetest poison.’
