The North Stands for Nothing
The North Stands for Nothing | ||||
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EP by | ||||
Released | 26 July 2010 | |||
Recorded | 4 January – 28 April 2010 | |||
Studio | ||||
Genre | Metalcore | |||
Length | 23:52 27:16 (Deluxe Edition) | |||
Label |
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Producer | Mat Welsh | |||
While She Sleeps chronology | ||||
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Singles from The North Stands for Nothing (deluxe edition) | ||||
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The North Stands for Nothing is the third EP by British
Background and promotion
The North Stands for Nothing was recorded and produced at The Barn in Sheffield, England, between 4 January – 28 April 2010.[2] The Barn is a converted barn owned by guitarist Mat Welsh's father. The space is not a recording studio and is simply described by members of the band as a place where they hang-out, party and practice.[3] The album was self-produced and mixed by Welsh and then mastered by Tim Turan in Oxford, England.[2] Speaking retrospectively about the recording process, Welsh said that the album took a long time to record. Admitting that it was due to them partying, jovially suggesting that "it wouldn't have took so long if Strongbow wasn't included."[4] The North Stands for Nothing was released on 26 June 2010, through Small Town Records. Two days prior to its release, While She Sleeps held an album launch show at The Plug in their hometown.[5] In conjunction with the production company Get Deluxe, the band produced two music videos to promote tracks from the CD. The video for "Crows" features the band performing near the ruins of a nondescript building. While the video for "Hearts Aside Our Horses" features live footage from the album launch show.
Later in the year, the band signed a deal with
Composition
Influences, style and themes
While She Sleeps are generally recognized by professional reviewers as a
Critical reception
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Big Cheese | [1] |
Bring the Noise | [15] |
Dead Press! | [16] |
Kerrang! | [19] |
Lords of Metal | 78/100[20] |
Metal Hammer | [21] |
The New Review | [22] |
Critical reception to The North Stands for Nothing was generally positive. Several reviewers noted on the balance that While She Sleeps have between melody and the heavier elements of their sound. Metal Hammer reviewer Terry Bezer, specifically complimented the track "Hearts Aside Our Horses" – enthusing that it is "a lesson in how to be both progressive and hook laden at once."[21] Adam Kennedy of Kerrang! complimented the band for putting "their own spin" on metalcore. Saying that they test and respect the genre's conventions in equal measure – specifically noting their use of a piano interlude on "Trophies" while suggesting that "tearing heads off is their forte".[19] In his review for Big Cheese, Lais Martin Wairing enthused that the band are "very promising," comparing them to Bring Me the Horizon but offering that While She Sleeps "deserve success in their own right."[1] The album also received some minor criticism, with several reviewers picking up on the short overall length of the CD and While She Sleeps' similarities to other bands. In a generally favorable review for The New Review, Jen Rochester said that the CD "is over before you know it," while concluding that "it's definitely an effort worth checking out."[22] Similarly, Dom Wyatt of Dead Press! said that The North Stands for Nothing is very similar to Hollow Crown by Architects but that it is a "cracking debut" that While She Sleeps should be proud of.[16]
Track listing
All songs written and composed by While She Sleeps.
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "The North Stands for Nothing" | 4:22 |
2. | "Trophies" | 0:39 |
3. | "Crows" | 3:18 |
4. | "My Conscience, Your Freedom" | 3:35 |
5. | "Lost Above the Arches" | 1:21 |
6. | "Proud of the Demon in Me" | 4:00 |
7. | "The Truth" | 2:27 |
8. | "Hearts Aside Our Horses" | 4:05 |
Total length: | 23:52 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
9. | "Be(lie)ve" | 3:24 |
Total length: | 27:16 |
Personnel
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Release history
Region | Date | Label | Edition | Format | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
United Kingdom | 26 July 2010 | Small Town Records | Original | Compact disc | [5] |
United States | 23 November 2010 | Good Fight Music | Digital download | [6] | |
Japan | 22 December 2010 | Doom Patrol | Compact disc | [7] | |
United States | 26 July 2011 | Good Fight Music | Deluxe | [11] | |
Australia | 9 December 2011 | Shock | [12] | ||
United Kingdom | 20 February 2012 | Small Town Records | Original | Vinyl
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[13] |
References
- ^ a b c Martins Waring, Lais (July 2010). "While She Sleeps – The North Stands For Nothing Review". Big Cheese.
- ^ a b The North Stands For Nothing (Mini album). While She Sleeps. Small Town Records. 2010.
{{cite AV media notes}}
: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - ^ Hevy Festival Interview: While She Sleeps. Bring the Noise. 21 August 2011. Event occurs at 2:12.
- ^ While She Sleeps interview from Drop Dead presents in Sheffield. Delayed. 19 December 2010. Event occurs at 3:08.
- ^ a b "While She Sleeps – The North Stands For Nothing. Album Launch". The Plug. 24 June 2010. Archived from the original on 4 November 2010. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
- ^ a b "While She Sleeps Signs With Good Fight Music". Blabbermouth.net. 15 October 2010. Archived from the original on 4 January 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
- ^ a b "The North Stands For Nothing – Japan". Doom Patrol. 2010. Archived from the original on 8 March 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
- ^ a b c d While She Sleeps Video Interview. Bring the Noise. 9 March 2011.
- ^ "WSS working on new single". While She Sleeps. 5 January 2011. Archived from the original on 6 June 2022. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
- ^ "Be(lie)ve – single". iTunes. Apple Inc. 15 March 2011. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
- ^ a b "While She Sleeps – The North Stands For Nothing". AllMusic. 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
- ^ a b "Sheffield 5-piece While She Sleeps signs to Shock Records to release debut mini-album The North Stands For Nothing". May The Rock Be With You. 13 December 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
- ^ a b "News: While She Sleeps release 'The North Stands For Nothing' on 10" vinyl!". Dead Press!. 20 February 2012. Retrieved 7 June 2012.
- ^ "While She Sleeps 'The North Stands for Nothing' Review | News | Metal Hammer". Archived from the original on 7 April 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
- ^ a b Harris, Marianne (July 2010). "Mini Album: While She Sleeps – The North Stands For Nothing". Bring the Noise. Archived from the original on 5 October 2011. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
- ^ a b c Wyatt, Dom (22 July 2010). "Album: While She Sleeps – The North Stands For Nothing". Dead Press!. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
- ^ While She Sleeps – Behind the INK with Mat Welsh // PitCam.TV. PitCam. 10 June 2011.
- ^ While She Sleeps Interview, Slam Dunk Festival 2011. Delayed. 7 June 2011.
- ^ a b Kennedy, Adam (July 2010). "While She Sleeps – The North Stands For Nothing Review". Kerrang!.
- ^ "While She Sleeps – The North Stands For Nothing Review". Lords of Metal. July 2010. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
- ^ a b "While She Sleeps 'The North Stands For Nothing' Review". Metal Hammer. 10 February 2012. Archived from the original on 7 April 2013. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
- ^ a b Rochester, Jen (13 November 2012). "While She Sleeps – The North Stands For Nothing". The New Review. Archived from the original on 26 May 2012. Retrieved 5 June 2012.