Pull the Thorns from Your Heart explained

Pull the Thorns from Your Heart
Type:Studio Album
Artist:Senses Fail
Cover:Pull The Thorns From Your Heart.jpg
Released:June 30, 2015
Recorded:November 2014
Studio:Lavish Studios and The Airport Studios, Burbank, California
Genre:Metalcore,[1] hardcore punk,[2] heavy hardcore[3]
Length:40:15
Label:Pure Noise
Producer:Shaun Lopez
Prev Title:Renacer
Prev Year:2013
Next Title:In Your Absence
Next Year:2017

Pull the Thorns from Your Heart is the sixth studio album by American post-hardcore band Senses Fail. In March and April 2015, the group supported Bayside on their headlining US tour.[4] It was released on June 30 through Pure Noise Records.[5]

Background and production

Senses Fail released their fifth album Renacer through Vagrant Records imprint Staple Records in March 2013.[6] It served as a transitional record for the band,[7] showcasing them moving away from a pop-orientated sound to a heavier-direction,[8] incorporating hardcore punk riffs and breakdowns.[9] Few months after the album's release, vocalist Buddy Nielsen stated moving forward they would be exploring a "more metal, more hardcore, less melodic" direction.[7] While touring in support of the record, Gavin Caswell took over bassist Jason Black's position.[10] In January 2014, founding drummer Dan Trapp left the band, which he later announced publicly in May.[11] The following month, Chris Hornbrook of Poison the Well was announced as their new drummer.[12] Nielsen was enthusiastic about Hornbrook's inclusion as Poison the Well was an influence on him growing up and a major influence on Renacer.[13]

In September and November, the group went on a 10-year anniversary tour for Let It Enfold You (2004). During their performance at Riot Fest, the band announced they had signed to independent label Pure Noise Records.[14] On November 10, the band revealed their next album's title Pull the Thorns from Your Heart, which they began recording that same day.[15] Sessions were helmed by producer Shaun Lopez in Burbank, California. Drums were tracked at Lavish Studios, before moving to Lopez's The Airport Studios. The recordings were mixed by Eric Stenman at Dragonfly Creek Recording in Malibu, California and Red Bull Studios in Los Angeles, California. Mastering was done by Eric Broyhill at Monster Lab Studios.

Composition

Pull the Thorns from Your Heart was written in a period after Nielsen opened up about his personal life; he revealed his struggles with substance abuse and sex addiction, as well as coming out as queer.[16] [17] Additionally, Nielsen had a life-changing experience with Buddhism and a deep appreciation for Vipassanā meditation, which helped him with coming out. The album's title is taken from a poem by Sufi poet Rumi. Nielsen was a huge fan of his work and was enamored with what he knew about life. He explained that a lot of people have a difficult time in their lives and don't "truly get to live in the beauty that is life because there is so much wounding, so many defense mechanisms, and so much built up around our heart and conditioned behavior."[18]

The album is broken down into four chapters – Annica & Sacca, Tisarana, Maransati and Brahmaviharas – all of which being named after Buddhist concepts. Nielsen noted that while the majority of music that showcases growth and change is more peaceful and abrasive, he wanted to "show that friction is what helps spur action. Without the friction, we wouldn't want to change, we would be content."[19] All of the songs were written by the band except "The Courage of an Open Heart", "Dying Words" and "Pull the Thorns from Your Heart", which were written solely by Nielsen. Will Putney contributed additional writing to those three tracks, while Lopez did additional writing on "We Are All Returning Home". Half of the tracks deal with him coming out as queer, while the other half is about reaching a level of safety and reducing suffering.[18]

Release

On March 3, 2015, the group released a 7" split with labelmates Man Overboard. Senses Fail's contributions were a Pull the Thorns outtake "All You Need Is Already Within You" and a cover of Man Overboard's "Real Talk".[20] In March and April, the group supported Bayside on their headlining US tour.[21] On April 29, Pull the Thorns from Your Heart was announced for release in June.[22] Alongside the announcement, a music video was released for "The Importance of the Moment of Death". The video is a "mythic representation of how innocence can be forcefully taken away from us as children, leaving us with too much too soon and without the proper coping skills."[23] On May 26, "The Courage of an Open Heart" and "Wounds" were made available for streaming via Metal Hammer.[24]

On June 17, a lyric video was released for "Carry the Weight".[25] Pull the Thorns from Your Heart was made available for streaming on June 22,[26] before being released on June 30 through Pure Noise Records.[22] Between June and August, the group performed on the Warped Tour.[27] A music video for "The Three Marks of Existence" premiered on July 9 via Substream Magazine.[28] It was filmed in black and white and shot during the group's performances at Warped Tour.[29] In September and November, the band supported Counterparts on their headlining European tour.[30] In November and December, the group went on a co-headlining US tour with Silverstein. They were supported by Hundredth and Capsize.[31] The band was due to tour Australia in March 2016, but as a result of family issues it was cancelled.[32]

Reception

The album received positive reviews.

Track listing

Writing credits per booklet.

Personnel

Personnel per booklet.[33] Senses Fail

Production

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Young. Neil. Senses Fail If There Is Light, It Will Find You. AllMusic. August 9, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180307082232/https://www.allmusic.com/album/if-there-is-light-it-will-find-you-mw0003129524. March 7, 2018. live. mdy-all.
  2. Web site: Reviews - Hell Is In Your Head - BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Blabbermouth.net. Markarian, Taylor. 12 July 2022 . July 20, 2022.
  3. Web site: SENSES FAIL – 'HELL IS IN YOUR HEAD'. punktastic.com. Reid, Sean. July 20, 2022.
  4. Web site: Bayside, Senses Fail, Man Overboard, Seaway tour announced. Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. Sharp, Tyler. November 20, 2014. December 18, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171218164858/https://www.altpress.com/features/entry/bayside_senses_fail_man_overboard_seaway_tour_announced. December 18, 2017. live. mdy-all.
  5. Web site: Pull The Thorns From Your Heart, by Senses Fail. Pure Noise Records. 2017-09-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20170901111930/https://purenoise.bandcamp.com/album/pull-the-thorns-from-your-heart. 2017-09-01. live.
  6. Web site: Senses Fail announce fifth album, 'Renacer'. https://web.archive.org/web/20190317222516/https://www.altpress.com/news/senses_fail_announce_fifth_album_renacer/. Alternative Press. Whitt, Cassie. January 14, 2013. March 17, 2019. March 12, 2019.
  7. Web site: Senses Fail's Buddy Nielsen Talks Musical Transition, Fall Tour + More. Noisecreep. Childers, Chad. September 25, 2013. March 16, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20180801220932/http://noisecreep.com/senses-fail-buddy-nielsen-musical-transition-fall-tour-more/. August 1, 2018. live. mdy-all.
  8. Web site: Stream Senses Fail's new album, 'Renacer'. MTV. O'Neil, Luke. March 20, 2013. March 15, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20180526214755/http://www.mtv.com/news/2303715/senses-fail-renacer-album-stream/. May 26, 2018. dead. mdy-all.
  9. Web site: Senses Fail and the relentless pursuit of screamo. The Daily Dot. Rolli, Bryan. May 8, 2017. March 15, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20180520192503/https://www.dailydot.com/upstream/senses-fail-buddy-nielsen-quince-anos-tour/. May 20, 2018. live. mdy-all.
  10. Web site: Bringing The Mood. The Music. Watt, Lochlan. July 31, 2013. March 15, 2019.
  11. Web site: Founding drummer Dan Trapp leaves Senses Fail. Alternative Press. Crane, Matt. May 5, 2014. March 12, 2019.
  12. Web site: Senses Fail reveal new drummer. Metal Hammer. Lach, Stef. June 3, 2014. March 21, 2019.
  13. Web site: An Interview with Senses Fail: A Decade Still Enfolding. The Aquarian Weekly. McGrath, Ryan. September 17, 2014. March 18, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20151024021705/http://www.theaquarian.com/2014/09/17/an-interview-with-senses-fail-a-decade-still-enfolding/. October 24, 2015. live. mdy-all.
  14. Web site: Senses Fail sign to Pure Noise Records; to release new album next year. Alternative Press. Crane, Matt. September 15, 2014. March 12, 2019.
  15. Web site: Senses Fail to release new album, 'Pull The Thorns From Your Heart'. Alternative Press. Sharp, Tyler. November 10, 2014. March 12, 2019.
  16. Web site: Senses Fail's Buddy Nielsen opens up about sexual orientation, addiction, more. Alternative Press. Crane, Matt. November 6, 2014. May 25, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20170914171132/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/senses_fails_buddy_nielsen_opens_up_about_sexual_orientation_addiction_more. September 14, 2017. live. mdy-all.
  17. Web site: Q&A: Senses Fail Frontman, Warped Tour Veteran, on Coming Out as Queer. Fuse.tv. Poitras, Andrew. July 16, 2015. May 25, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180525205854/https://www.fuse.tv/2015/07/q-a-senses-fail-frontman-and-warped-tour-veteran-on-coming-out-as-queer. May 25, 2018. live. mdy-all.
  18. Web site: Senses Fail's Buddy Nielsen opens up about sexual orientation, addiction, more. Alternative Press. Crane, Matt. November 6, 2014. March 18, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20170914171132/http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/senses_fails_buddy_nielsen_opens_up_about_sexual_orientation_addiction_more. September 14, 2017. live. mdy-all.
  19. Web site: Senses Fail 'Pull the Thorns from Your Heart' on New LP. Exclaim!. Adams, Gregory. April 29, 2015. March 18, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20180825224340/http://exclaim.ca/music/article/senses_fail_pull_thorns_from_your_heart_on_new_lp. August 25, 2018. live. mdy-all.
  20. Web site: Senses Fail, Man Overboard announce seven-inch split. Alternative Press. Sharp, Tyler. February 3, 2015. March 12, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20180707235808/https://www.altpress.com/news/senses_fail_man_overboard_announce_seven_inch_split/. July 7, 2018. live. mdy-all.
  21. Web site: Bayside, Senses Fail, Man Overboard, Seaway tour announced. Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. Sharp, Tyler. November 20, 2014. December 18, 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171218164858/https://www.altpress.com/features/entry/bayside_senses_fail_man_overboard_seaway_tour_announced. December 18, 2017.
  22. Web site: Senses Fail stream lead single from sixth album, 'Pull The Thorns From Your Heart'. Alternative Press. Sharp, Tyler. April 29, 2015. March 12, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20180704134347/https://www.altpress.com/news/senses_fail_stream_lead_single_from_sixth_album_pull_the_thorns_from_your_h/. July 4, 2018. live. mdy-all.
  23. Web site: Senses Fail Throw the Worst Party with the Best Soundtrack in "The Importance of the Moment of Death". April 29, 2015. Noisey. May 25, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180526041132/https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/rq4b7b/senses-fail-the-importance-of-the-moment-of-death. May 26, 2018. live. mdy-all.
  24. Web site: Senses Fail premiere two new songs. Metal Hammer. Metal Hammer. May 26, 2015. March 12, 2019.
  25. Web site: Senses Fail unleash new song, "Carry The Weight". Alternative Press. AltPress. June 17, 2015. March 12, 2019.
  26. Web site: Senses Fail stream 'Pull The Thorns From Your Heart'. Alternative Press. AltPress. June 22, 2015. March 12, 2019.
  27. Web site: Senses Fail, Knuckle Puck, Miss May I, more announced for Warped Tour 2015. Alternative Press. Sharp, Tyler. April 8, 2015. March 12, 2019.
  28. Web site: PREMIERE: Senses Fail's "The Three Marks Of Existence" video will make you mosh right now, wherever you are. Substream Magazine. Heisel, Scott. July 9, 2015. March 17, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20160503152558/http://substreammagazine.com/2015/07/premiere-senses-fails-the-three-marks-of-existence-video-will-make-you-mosh-right-now-wherever-you-are/. May 3, 2016. live. mdy-all.
  29. Web site: Senses Fail release live performance video for "The Three Marks Of Existence". Alternative Press. Leak, Brian. July 9, 2015. March 12, 2019.
  30. Web site: NEWS: Counterparts confirm headline UK tour for October 2015!. Dead Press!. Redrup, Zach. June 22, 2015. March 17, 2019.
  31. Web site: Silverstein, Senses Fail announce co-headlining tour. Alternative Press. Bazley, John. August 21, 2015. March 12, 2019.
  32. Web site: Senses Fail cancel Australian tour. Alternative Press. Chatterjee, Kika. January 17, 2016. March 12, 2019.
  33. Pull the Thorns from Your Heart. Senses Fail. 2015. booklet. Pure Noise Records. PNE 171.