It's only natural that a band with a name like Nothing formed out of a definite something. In this case, it was prison. Frontman and mastermind Dominic Palermo spent two years in jail for aggravated assault and attempted murder after a fight led to him stabbing another person. After years of uncertainty and soul searching, Nothing was formed as a solo project by the struggling Palermo. The project took off with the help of guitarist Brandon Setta and they were eventually signed to the metal-centric Relapse Records. Nothing's first full album, Guilty of Everything, drowns you in a sea of noise, emotions, and shoegazy, post rock bliss.
Downward Years To Come, one of their first EP's, released on A389, was fantastic. Guilty of Everything incorporates many great aspects of Downward while bringing a new flare to spice things up. I don't like Jesu, and I don't particularly like My Bloody Valentine, but these seem to be the two bands that people think Nothing have combined. Though I can see the influence, Nothing, at their core, are something more than just a combination of older bands' sounds. They started out playing punk rock in bands like Horror Show and developed a hazy, psychedelic new sound of their own. They created a sound unmatched by other bands of this caliber, and they are only now starting to get the attention they deserve for it.
Some of their songs, such as "Bent Nail" and "Get Well" are upbeat with a more of a garage rock feel to them. They stick out, but always connect back to the original flow of the album. When Palermo sings "if you feel like letting go," on "Bent Nail" you will find yourself lost in a sentimental vortex, suddenly staring at your bedroom ceiling wondering what you are doing with your life. This may not sound appealing to some, but the greater point I am trying to make about Nothing is they make you feel something. Whether it's good or bad, they elicit emotions so compellingly that no one can ignore it. Others songs stay in the dreamy world of post rock melancholy, but they all fit passionately around each other. What all the songs have in common is true power. Each song more forceful than the next in it's own individual way, the album feels, dare I say, like a roller coaster. Or even worse, an emotional roller coaster. But as cliche as that sounds, Nothing really do take you on a trip. The music evokes the best and the worst memories in all of us. It helps us realize that we are all flawed, but it's going to be okay.
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