The San Matean

Issue date: 5/27/09 Section: Entertainment

Media Credit: Phil Ritter Left to right: Bassist Aaron Hepponstall, Vocalist Carlos Castillo and Drummer David Spearsperforming on May 22 at SJSU Sigma Pi.

Students in the metal band Tame the Beast played their first big show at the Sigma Pi fraternity house at San Jose State University campus on May 21. The band has been around for about a year and has played at Carlmont and Sequoia High schools and are excited every time they can play for a crowd.

In contrast to many metal bands, Tame the Beast entwines lyrical interludes with kick-down-the-door rock.

"I wrote the song 'Tame the Beast' when I was going through a time of mourning from the loss of a close loved one," said Carlos "Lost" Castillo, 22, lead vocalist. "But it can be whatever you want it to be; art is always found in your own interpretations."

The track opens with deep, chunky riffs that build to set up an explosion of vocals that drip passion from each word. Castillo purges his grief through intense screaming without sacrificing tonality. An instrumental barrage fuels a high octane adrenaline rush that leads to a melodic reprieve. The lull builds anticipation steadily up to the last torrent of this guitar-driven melee.

"You don't have to like growls and screams, you've just got to appreciate good music when it comes out of the speakers," said Spears, 19.

In the song "As She Had Said" Castillo howls about the loss of his mother, in homage to the wisdom of resiliency she instilled in him. "This music has saved my life," Castillo confessed.

Each band mate brings a different influence to the sound.

Spears was in a band in seventh grade where the older musicians introduced him to metal. Spears is also a reggae fan.

Castillo's growls are influenced by Lamb of God and Otep, while his clean vocals are inspired by bands like The Mars Volta and The Muse.

Aaron "Outrage" Hepponstall, 19, bassist, has roots in the hardcore punk scene, and bands like the Dropkick Murphys, Casualties, and Leftover Crack.

Aaron "Boppa" Moston, 19, guitarist, derived guidance from the gritty eloquence of old school Metallica, and groups like August Burns Red, and Kill Switch…Engage.

"Everybody in the band puts their own personal touches in each song," Spears said. "One guy will have an idea then hand it over to 'Boppa' so that he can morph it into something else. ... These guys are great to collaborate with."

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