George Orwell the Musical can be summed up in TWO easy words: “Tight Butthole”. This saying encompasses every aspect of what the Technical/ Progressive Metal outfit out of Lowell, MA strives to achieve. They aim for perfection in live performance and conceptual intricacy (lyrically, musically, and schematically), while remaining stylistically true to their message and creating tight-knit bonds to
their loyal,ever-growing following.
“George Orwell the Musical represents an idea, just as much as it identifies as a chaotically concise and controlled musical experience,” says bassist Michael McClelland. Since forming in2006 with guitarist Keith Ouellette, GOTM has released 2 LPs (2007, 2013). The most recent is astutely named, “The Hegelian Dialectic”. In Part One of this concept trilogy, lyricist/vocalist Jay Henehan describes a dystopian civilization where slavery isn’t as simple as being chained with iron shackles. “Basically, we want to enlighten people with the true nature of slavery, in all of its complicated forms, how it has infiltrated to our everyday lives, and how we can pursue true freedom”. With drummer Anthony Funaro joining the ensemble in early 2013, GOTM has been able to showcase this message with pinpoint accuracy, as the missive deserves. Inspired by groups including, The Red Chord, Between the Buried and Me, Daughters, The Tony Danza Tap Dance Extravaganza, The Number 12 Looks Like You, Meshuggah, Into the Moat, and The Dillinger Escape Plan, George Orwell the Musical boasts a sound that ranges from melodically pleasant to erratically jarring. Their most recent LP is a complex cacophony- an arrangement of thoughts and sounds spiderwebbed in presentation- beautiful and expertly made on the outside and lethal to the political paradigms it seeks to contest. George Orwell the Musical looks to the future with a plethora of hard-hitting shows, music videos, albums, and DVDs, as well as online lessons and tutorials. All are expected to be, as GOTM puts it, “Tight Butthole”.
07/04/2023
This bad boi turns 10 today. A special thanks to all of those who made it possible to begin with.