music: a perfect circle

Formed in 1999 by guitarist Billy Howerdel and tool vocalist Maynard James Keenan, 'A Perfect Circle' is an American alternative rock and metal group from Bell Gardens California. Despite having an always changing cast of band members, the style of the songs have remained consistent, with Howerdel composing and Keenan penning the lyrics.

In total the band has released three albums over 5 years before going their separate ways, one of which being Mer De Noms, the bands debut album released on May 23 2000. This album is distinctive for being the highest ever debut for a rock band selling over 188,000 copies in the first week of its launch and reaching #4 on billboard 200. After playing shows in L.A. and recording this first album, the band soon went on tour then returning to record their second and third album 'Thirteenth Step' (2003) and 'Emotive ' (2004).

I myself only discovered this band accidentally, three days ago while researching another band. After listening to a few songs I was mesmerized by their ability to take sadness, bittersweet mourning, and a slight dark humor, all these concepts and emotions and express them in notes and chords and voice. A rare and unique style not many bands can attain. They closely remind me of a metal band played and sung by angels. Very interesting to listen to.

'The Noose', a song from the album Thirteenth Step, is a lengthy song but its one worth listening to. Starting with a calm melodic alluring almost endearing melody, and towards the end the song reaches its climax completely shattering its calm melody with an emphatic vigor that some might call liberating, yet keeping the same melancholy tonality of the song itself.