Division
Formed: 1993
From:
Springfield,
VA,
United States
Last Known Status: Active
Latest Division News
Below is our complete Division news coverage, including columns and articles pertaining to the band. Some articles listed may be indirectly related, such as side projects of the band members, etc.
Division: "Live Every Day Like Its The Last One"
Vocalist Scott Stewart of D.C. outfit Division has checked in with the following health update:
"Hey all, this is Scott, as a lot of you know I've been a guest of the Inova Hospital system for the past couple of weeks. This was a pretty good scare, it was Pneumonia, with a blood clot in my right lung, if it hadn't been treated it could have killed me. It required major surgery to dig the infection and residuals out.
"There was about twenty minutes waiting for the ambulance to show up that I'd be a liar if I didn't say that the words 'This is it' didn't cross my mind.
"I'd just like to say thank you for all the love and support sent my way, by our friends and fans. This little thrash band that could has a lot more music left, and I'm honored to be a part of it. More...
Division Recruits New Drummer
Division has checked in with the following announcement about officially recruiting a new drummer:
"What's that thumping sound? Must be someone playing the drums!
"I figure I’ve put this off long enough – Division would like introduce Mark Taylor as our new drummer. Some of you will know Mark from his recent tenure in Almost Human. We’d like to thank Dan Roem from Cab Ride Home for providing the hookup (long before James left, actually).
"Thus far, Mark is fitting in well, which has to say something pretty awful about his mental state. We’re bringing him up to speed on the material in the standard Division manner – which is to say we’re insulting him when something is wrong – and Dave’s happy to have a FNG to pick on that’s actually 1.) new, and 2.) playing his usual instrument. (Hi, Tim!)
"Look for us to return in the fall, with some new material in addition to a selection of the old stuff."
Divison Announces Return Of Original Vocalist
Division has issued the following announcement about re-recruiting original vocalist Scott Stewart:
"It occurred to me when discussing the 30th (!) anniversary of an album that had a huge influence on me last week – namely, this one.
"Some things in metal just never die. No matter how far metal expands its palette, no matter how many influences are brought to bear, at the end of the day, everything comes home again: If you can’t enjoy a Maiden concert, you just flat-out don’t like metal. Commonality and diversity both have a role to play in holding a group together.
"Now, what does all this have to do with Division, you ask? Well, as many of you know, vocalist Nick Kelly left us in February after over ten years of fronting the band. We had plenty of time to consider replacements, and brought in people for auditions. By the end of that process, it was pretty clear that the cliché in the title was once again becoming a truism.
"So, without any further ado, meet the new singer – same as the old singer. Division would like to welcome original vocalist Scott Stewart back into the fold. Scott was the vocalist on our first two albums, Paradise Lost and Ascension to Eternity, and had remained a good friend of the band even after his departute. With his return to the DMV from Raleigh last year, he was in the right place at the right time to rejoin us. We will, of course, continue to perform material from all four albums, and just as Nick’s voice gave a new twist to some of Scott’s songs, Scott’s classic-metal-with-an-edge voice makes Nick’s material shine differently, too.
"Now, if we could just find a bassist…"
Division's New Album Distributed By Nightmare
Divsion has announced that they'll have their new album, "Control Issues," distributed by Nightmare Records. Guitarist Mike Blevins has issued a blog post about it and how it fits into their DIY plans:
"Some of you have been reading my blogs about recording the band. It was originally a goal for 'Control Issues' to do the whole thing ourselves, partially for the experience, and partially because we could see that this is very definitely where the 'music industry' is headed, so we might as well start getting ready for it.
"If ever there was a topic for a good, spirited argument, this is it. I’ve had several, in pretty much all the formats you can think of. (Well, I don’t think I’ve used the USPS to conduct this argument yet, but I digress…) Regardless, it’s never (or very seldom) actually doing it ALL yourself. Many people with way more experience than I possess have told me that, much like being your own lawyer, the person that is his own mastering engineer has a fool for a client. That’s why we chose Bill Wolf of Wolf Productions to master the 'Control Issues' CD. He did a much better job than I can ever dream of doing. Some things are best left to the specialists.
"With that as our working paradigm, we’d like to announce (in conjunction with our label, 2/5ths Gone Records) that the 'Control Issues' CD will be distributed by none other than Nightmare Records. Mainman Lance King has built quite the powerhouse of a label and distribution company up in the Great White North of Minnesota, and we’re proud to be associated with Nightmare. The CD should now be available from *your* favorite distro – including iTunes, for those so inclined – since Lance works with just about everybody. If it isn’t, well, ask them why not, or buy it from Nightmare directly.
"Here’s to a long, fruitful partnership with Nightmare, from all of us!"
Division Announces New Bassist
Washington, DC based metal band Division has announced their new bassist, Tim Regan. The band commented:
"Tim’s a long time fan of the band, and as a guitarist with Burning Shadows, we’ve already shared several stages, including our home base at Jaxx. He had all the assets we were looking for in a bassist – talent, drive, experience, and a sarcastic sense of humor. He’s also yet another engineer, which will prove useful when a.) things break and b.) he has to pick up our bar tabs for the next year, Metallica-style.
"You’ll get to see Tim for the first time on July 16th at O’Shaughnessy’s in Alexandria – or just go to any power metal show at Jaxx. He’ll be drinking a Guinness and throwing the horns…"
Division Updates On Search For Bassist
Washington, DC metal band Division has posted an update about their search for a new bassist, making it quite an entertaining read and sharing some anecdotes from the experience. Here's an excerpt:
"Ah, the hunt for a new musician to play in your band. It’s like mixing a job interview with a personals ad. Not only are you looking for someone who can play the song, has “pro gear and a pro attitude”, doesn’t have any substance abuse problems (short of drinking way too much on road trips), can afford rent, and has a car to get them to and from practice/gigs, but you’re looking for someone you can see yourself hanging out with on a regular basis. After all, we’re certainly not in this for the money (see the “isn’t psychotic” part). A tall order, for sure.
"So, imagine, if you will, what you expose yourself to when you put your e-mail address and phone number on little tear-off strips of paper in music stores, and “specific and concise” ads online and on newsprint. Before anything else happens, you get invited to invest in new businesses, tour Europe, help someone’s uncle in Nigeria, enhance your, um, manhood, and take part in exciting and invigorating new opportunities to form grassroots campaigns promoting grassroots campaigns in the areas where grassroots campaigns occur. Just the thing my wallet and manhood needs! However, no one prepares you for the cold, hard fact that no one is going to actually respond to the substance of your ad for, oh, about a month.
"Then the phone starts ringing."
Read the full article at Division's site.
Division Parts Ways With Bassist Ron Kralik
Ron Kralik, bassist of Virginia metal band Division, has issued the following message regarding his departure from the band:
"Six Years... It was six long years and one month ago when I was surprised by an email from Matt Crooks asking if I would consider filling in for Division for several shows that they had booked in the spring as their long-time bass player Dan Plunkett had to withdraw due to carpal tunnel syndrome. This in spite of (or because of) the awesome album Trinity only being released a few short months prior. I had been a fan of Division from when I first saw them at Scott Stewart's departure show. I immediately jumped at the chance and even came with five songs to the audition instead of the asked for three. The two shows that I was filling in for went well enough and they asked me to join full-time. It's been an eventful six years. We've poured ourselves, our sweat and even our blood into this band. We've played some awesome shows and had some great trips that I will never forget. It's been a pleasure making Control Issues for you, and now with some sick kind of symmetry, I will be departing myself just one month after the album's release. This has not been an easy choice or an easy process, but I am moving to Austin, TX with a new job to once again live with my wife, who has been there since last August for grad school. I don't know if we will be returning to the DC area or not, or even if we will remain in Austin after she graduates, but nine-months is already to long to be away from the one you love. I will miss Division (the band) and the guys (Mike, Dave, James, & Nick) greatly. The band has been my family here, particularly so since my wife moved. I want to also thank my other Washington area metal brothers in Hatred, Iris Divine, and Cab Ride Home, as well as the rest of the band wives and our fans for doing there best to help this are still feel like home. I will always be grateful for your friendship and the music and memories we've made together." More...
Division Posts Studio Update and New Song Online
Virginia metal band Division has issued the following studio update:
"The new album is on the home stretch now, with Mike buried in his basement mixing. We learned a lot about what to do (and what not to do) along the way, so hopefully the next one won’t take five years. Well, unless James loses and arm or I die of a massive drug overdose." More...
Division Announces Cover Artist for New Album
Washington DC heavy metal band Division has partnered with comic artist Tom Fleming for the cover of the new CD, "Control Issues." Fleming, a veteran of DC Comics, Marvel Comics and other pin-ups and cover art, will paint the image embodying the themes central to the CD. "Control Issues," the fourth CD from Division.
"Given the horror and deep-rooted vulnerabilities of the characters, we wanted someone who could convey these things in a single image. Tom was a perfect fit," stated band singer and lyricist, Nick Kelly.
Division Issues Studio Update
Virginia power metal band, Division, has issued the following update from the studio:
“Many of you know that we're recording the fourth Division CD, 'Control Issues' and have reached the part of our program where it's time to record vocals. Tonight, I had the chance to go in and work on a fairly violent and very tense piece called ‘Gemini.’” More...
Fool's Game Readies New Album, "Reality Divine"
CRUZ DEL SUR MUSIC has announced the release of FOOL'S GAME's debut album, “Reality Divine,” in September 2009.
FOOL’S GAME is the brain-child of guitarist/song-writer MATT CROOKS, pursuing new musical experiences after leaving his previous band DIVISION.
To carry on this project, Crooks recruited some excellent musicians among the ranks of his friends, and so FOOL’S GAME was born with the participation of MATT JOHNSEN (PHARAOH, guitars), LARS F. LARSEN (MANTICORA, vocals), JOHN MACALUSO (STARBREAKER, ex YNGWIE, ex ARK, drums) and NICK VAN DYK (REDEMPTION, keyboards).
The music of FOOL'S GAME is best described as a modern Judas Priest, mixed with an old-fashioned Iced Earth. Add a bit of each of the bands, the members have represented earlier on or are still part of, and you have a dark, thrashy, melodic power metal album.
Here is the "Reality Divine" tracklisting:
Mass Psychosis
When The Beginning Meets The End
Sowing Dead Seeds
As the Field Of Dreams Was Abandoned
The Conqueror Worm
Prelude To The Fair
She Moved Through The Fair
The Wild Swans At Coole
On Endless Planes Of Ignorance
You can check out some of the band's material on their MySpace page.
Division Issues Studio Update
Virginia based metal band, Division, have issued the following studio update on their MySpace page:
"Recording on the new album is progressing along nicely, albeit with a few snags along the way as we (ok, Mike...) learn the new software and more about the process than we (Mike) ever expected to know. That's ok, we'll just keep flogging him along, since he doesn't have a life anyway." More...
Division Post New Live Song Online
Division post an update on their myspace page:
"We just uploaded "The Prophecy (Greed)", live from the Nevermore show back in March of last year. Thanks go out to the in crowd recording wizard Bruce for capturing this song for us. It really came out great, and only took a little cleanup work from Mike. Bruce, the next beer's on me!
Life has been moving along briskly in Division land. We've been cranking out new songs at a pretty good clip, and are looking forward to heading into the studio at some point this year. We've got a lot of shows in the works, so keep checking back and listen for the new tunes we'll be debuting live."
Report
Nevermore Wins Crowd at Jaxx in Springfield, VA
On Saturday May 6th, my friend, and I drove down to Virginia from northern New Jersey to see Nevermore, one of our favorite bands, headline at their one off show at the Jaxx with Evergrey the next day. We got to the show early to meet up with some friends, one of which is Will Bozarth from Distorted Mind, who assisted me during the interview process for my interview with guitarist Jeff Loomis (guitarist of Nevermore), since he knows the band from hanging out with them at previous shows. Will’s input added a new dimension to some of the questions and gave the interview a humorous edge. Sadly, I had lost the entire interview because of a technical accident with the recording equipment. Fortunately, I still have the questions and can hopefully recreate the experience on a later date. Interview troubles aside, in hindsight, this was one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to. More...