The Beautiful Unknown delivers fresh modern rock, drunk on classic rock from the Zombies to Zeppelin on its debut album "Riot in the House of Ruin". Melodic harmonies seethe over high-energy, riff-happy guitar and manic drum and bass to create a volatile fusion of old and new.
Tom Barlow signed to a major label in 2003. His debut album garnered: 2 top five radio hits and 3 Juno Award nominations. With industry changing like the wind, Tom and long-time collaborator Mladen decided indie was where it was at and took a year off to write a new album. Drummer Derek Downham's considerable writing chops became apparent after his first creative meeting with Barlow and Mladen. Guitarist Kirt Godwin and bassist Ryan Gavel also contributed their unique musical visions as TBU became that rare collective experience where the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Jeremy Taggart appears on the title track where he lays down a trademark muscular drumming performance.
The first single on the album is the exhilarating, high-energy track "Spinning in My Grave" which was mixed by Arnold Lanni (OLP, Finger Eleven). The single went top ten on Alt Radio in Ottawa and Winnipeg and in Montreal it went #1 on Chom FM. The video for "Spinning In My Grave" was directed by 8 X Much Music Video Award winner Stephen Scott.
The band has a heavy tour schedule in the works and is prepared to work hard. Riot in the House of Ruin will be officially released on May 20th with a kick off release show at Tattoo Rock Parlor in Toronto on May 22nd. The album will be available on CDBaby and Itunes.
http://www.thebeautifulunknown.com/
www.myspace.com/thebeautifulunknown
For further information: Nanci Malek - bentertainment@rogers.com
THE REVIEWS
If we aren't hearing more about this absolutely brilliant band soon there's something very wrong with the world.
Sceneandheard
As the last note rang out barely 45 minutes later, I felt flush with the exhilaration of having witnessed something great...the only thing standing between TBU and stardom would be time and a few more stages."
Truth Explosion Magazine
With Barlow's sultry voice, which sounds like a mix of Queens of the Stone Age's Josh Homme and Franz Ferdinand's Alex Kapranos, and Derek Downham's crazed playing on both the drums and guitar, the band impressed throughout.
Klublife Magazine
"The Beautiful Unknown has been able to blend a few different styles to make a sound of their own, something that can be an elusive target for many bands. ... it is difficult for me to explain exactly how that sound surfaces. Some of the songs were so powerful that I had to lower my camera just so I could just take in the whole stage all at once." Petenema.com
THE SUCCESSES
- Arnold Lanni (Finger 11, Our Lady Peace) mixes "Spinning In My Grave"
- TBU debut single "Spinning In My Grave" goes top ten on Alt Radio in Ottawa and Winnipeg.
- In Montreal "Spinning" goes #1 on Chom FM!
- Video for "Spinning In My Grave" is directed by 8 X Much Music Video Award winner Stephen Scott. The video is added to Much Music
- TBU successfully tours Canada from Montreal to Calgary
- The press loves TBU, gushing reviews have become the norm as TBU basks in critical accolades
- Canadian drumming legend Jeremy Taggart (Our Lady Peace) appears on the title track