The Human Abstract

Midheaven is a very appropriate title for The Human Abstract’s second album. Recognized as one of the four angles on the natal chart, most astrologers believe that Midheaven helps to outline an individual’s most visible achievements, career path and social standing in the world. Also, it could indicate someone’s personal, spiritual and lifetime goals.

That ideology is heavily reflected in the progressive band’s latest studio offering. “Basically, the album concept is something that's been going on since the beginning of recorded time,” vocalist Nathan Ells explains. “It's a constant cycle: we spend years building up to these great heights, only to destroy ourselves in the end over and over. The world issues that we’re dealing with right now are the same issues that we’ve been going through since the beginning of our existence. This is the true meaning of the Hindu concept of Karma. Until we can correct our behaviors, we are doomed to repeat ourselves.”

As it pertains to The Human Abstract (also comprised of pianist Sean Leonard, bassist Allen Eason, drummer Brett Powell, and guitarists Dean Herrera and Andrew Tapley), they are growing to amazingly great heights and are more cohesive than ever before.

They have certainly come a long way.

Months after Powell graduated high school in 2004, he was introduced to Herrera and guitarist/pianist A.J. Minette through mutual friends. All with a passion for music, Powell re-located to Los Angeles, California to jam with his new buddies and they spent the next six months working on material. In early 2005, bassist Kenny Arehart and singer Nick Oalerts rounded out the lineup.

At the same time, Powell created L.A. Loud, a company that held small concerts to feature local bands and allowed The Human Abstract to periodically headline the shows. “It helps build up hype. It made the band seem bigger than what it really was at the time,” the drummer explains. “Perception is everything for a young band.”

The Human Abstract attracted a huge following, as well as the attention of producers Johnny Santos (formerly of Spineshank and Silent Civilian) and Logan Mader (formerly of Soulfly and Machine Head). While they were constantly recording demos, they also managed to release a self-titled EP.

Later that year, the group signed with Hopeless Records. “They had this family oriented vibe,” Powell explains. “The whole office comes out to watch you perform live and it’s just a good feeling. Other labels seem to have a lot of other bands on their agenda, so we wanted to be on a label where we’d get more attention and Hopeless was willing to invest in us without us having any touring experience.”

Oalerts was replaced later that year with vocalist Nathan Ells. Then, in February 2006, the band left California to record their full-length debut with producer Jamie King in North Carolina. Despite having their van break down, learning how to interact with one another on the road and spending all of their downtime stuck in a sleazy Motel 8, The Human Abstract wrote a compelling debut album in Nocturne. The emotional collection featured beautiful technical proficiency and undeniable candor, and connected instantly with their evolving fan base.

Over the next year, The Human Abstract toured with a slew of groups including All That Remains, The Chariot, Devil Wears Prada, Drop Dead Gorgeous, Everytime I Die, From First To Last, God Forbid, Misery Signals and a host of others. However, touring is quite arduous Kenny Arehart found that tour life was not for him, so he left the progressive band. His replacement, Michael Nordeen, wasn’t necessarily a perfect fit. Currently, Allen Eason is filling in on bass duties for the time being."

More surprisingly, when the group began working on the follow-up album, co-founding member and principal songwriter A.J. Minette completely distanced himself from the band. When other members tried contacting him about ideas for the next record, he pretty much ignored them. Minette seemed impossible to work with and by the end of 2007, his status with The Human Abstract became clear: he was leaving the group. “It was the worst possible time,” Ells recalls. “I’ve gone back to Nashville to visit my family and tried to get A.J. to send me what he was working on for the new album. By the time I went back to Los Angeles to have our first practice, he shows up, doesn’t unload his gear and was like, ‘I’m quitting the band.’ It was difficult to put everything back together again.”

But as they’ve done before, The Human Abstract re-built themselves to greater heights and came back ten times stronger. Expanding to a sextet, Andrew Tapley and Sean Leonard took over the vacant guitar and piano slots, respectively.

Now working as a cohesive unit, the group comes across smooth and polished on Midheaven. Produced by Leonard Simone and Jesse E. String, The Human Abstract showcases their masterful songwriting on ten breathtaking tracks that are action packed with progressive rock melodies, tasteful riffs and dynamic guitar solos. That edge is brilliantly displayed on the metal-induced “Breathing Life Into Devices” and the energetic first single “Procession Of The Fates.” Also, the guys show a calmer side on classic manifestos like “Counting Down The Days.”

The stars have certainly aligned for The Human Abstract and Midheaven is a record anyone can grasp onto. “We have been trying to push for something a bit more universal and timeless,” Ells proclaims. And they’ve succeeded.

Midheaven will certainly stand the test of time.