Periphery is a group of Progressive Metal founded in 2005 between Bethesda and Baltimore (Maryland), USA. The group now consists of Spencer Sotelo (singing), Misha Mansoor (guitar), Jake Bowen (guitar), Mark Holcomb (guitar) and Matt Halpern (battery).
The group now has 2 EPs (Icarus in 2011 and Clear in 2014) and 5 albums (Periphery in 2010, Periphery II: This Time It’s Personal in 2012, Juggernaut Alpha & Juggernaut Omega in 2015 and Periphery III: Select Difficulty in 2016).
Periphery, Periphery’s debut album
Periphery is the band’s debut album Periphery. Between Progressive Metal and Jentthe listener is transported into a universe specific to the group (like the powerful atypical voice of Spencer Sotelo). The songs are very different and all complementary, which makes the whole opus very interesting and not redundant. The songs are technical and controlled. Guitar solos are always welcome, and the alternation between shouting and singing spencer is perfectly gauged for an optimal listening experience.
Periphery has been able to offer in all of its albums precise pieces, with original instrumental constructions, and a particularly unique identity in the genre. The group has become a must for all fans of Progressive Metal.
The Periphery tracklist:
01. Insomnia
02. The Walk
03. Letter Experiment
04. Jetpacks Was Yes!
05. Light
06. All New Materials
07. Buttersnips
08. Icarus Lives!
09. Totla Mad
10. Ow My Feelings
11. Zyglrox
12. Racecar
Periphery Was Yes Jetpacks
The song has had several versions, a first present on the group’s self-titled album in 2010, and a second version 2.0 present on The Icarus Lives EP in 2011. The title, meanwhile, also has several spellings: Jetpacks Was Yes, Jetpacks Was Yes!or Jet Packs Was Yes. Today, we decided to present you version 2.0, accompanied by its official video clip.
The track contains beautiful vocal lines by Spencer Soteloa colossal guitar solo from Misha Mansoorinfectious grooves played by Matt Halpern, and a superb atmosphere with an incredible reverb. This is perhaps the song with the most classic structure composed by Periphery. Nonetheless, it’s a very effective ballad that has left its mark on the band’s audio catalog. The music video is well done and follows the theme of the lyrics.
Jetpacks Was Yes is about an immortal being who regrets his immortality as he watches the world evaporate before his eyes. Initially, he loses his loved ones, then his planet, his universe, and is left alone, forever drifting in the void. It’s certainly not the happiest track you’ll ever hear, but it’s thought-provoking and filled with wonderful melodies.
Misha Mansoor speaks about the theme of the song Jetpacks Was Yes in an interview for Rock Editing :
Jetpacks Was Yes!, […] is about an immortal being. Over time, as he starts to outlive everything — not just people, but the planet, the universe, and everything — he’s eventually drifting through space and wishing he could kill himself.
