God Forbid were one of the most formidable acts to emerge from the metalcore explosion that dominated heavy music around the turn of the millennium. The band broke up in August of 2013, coming as a shock to their fans around the world. Two years later, the band’s former guitarist, Doc Coyle, has emerged with new music, ready to bring his new vision to the world with the group Vagus Nerve.
The first taste of new music, “Do You Know Who I Am” can be heard above. The song is a bit of a departure from the music of God Forbid and is decidedly less aggressive, exploring calmer territories with ambient soundscapes texturing the background. A likeness can be drawn during these more relaxed aspects to the collaboration between Katatonia‘s Jonas Renkse and Bruce Soord of the Pineapple Thief. Singer Ravi’s voice has a similar soothing quality to Renkse, but takes turns into harsher avenues, navigating the musical dichotomy with his own style.
The song has undergone a test mix from Forrester Savell, the Australian producer who has worked with bands like Karnivool and Dead Letter Circus. Vagus Nerve are seeking donations through a Kickstarter campaign to have Savell finish the mix on the debut EP, Visceral.
Coyle had been longing for a life outside of God Forbid prior to the band’s split. Expressing why the band broke up and this longing in an interview, he said, “I don’t want to leave the band, but there are elements of disorganization and unprofessionalism within the group that have made it impossible to be an effectively active band. I don’t feel like I’m being treated in a way that meets my standards, so I have to remove myself from the equation.”
Adding to this, he continued, “Unfortunately, touring with the band last year proved to be unsustainable from a financial survival standpoint. I was homeless, in debt and needed to figure something out, because this lifestyle I was living was not working. The last few years are the first time in my life I’ve really thought about what I wanted to do outside of God Forbid.”
With the past behind him, Coyle is looking forward to his next musical adventure with Vagus Nerve. Fans who would like to donate to the band’s Kickstarter campaign can do so here.
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Source: Loudwire.com
