League of Distortion comes out of the shadows with its first album.
Formed in 2020 in Germany, the band featuring Anna « Ace » Brunner (vocals, Exit Eden), Jim « Arro » Müller (guitar, Kissin’ Dynamite), Felix « Ax » Rehmann (bass) and Tino « Aeon » Calmbach (drums) announced in 2022 that they signed with Napalm Records and would be releasing League of Distorsion.
Wolf or Lamb immediately propels us into a rather catchy atmosphere made of simple riffs and modern samples led by the singer’s voice, able to switch from clean voice to some more aggressive parts during choruses, like on My Revenge which reveals vindictive Metalcore roots. The sound becomes rougher and heavier, letting vocals get stronger as well before Christoph Wieczorek (annisokay) joins the four musicians for It Hurts so Good, a composition with groovy and sometimes sensual tones. The thematic remains quite obvious, but the vocal duet is really interesting and intense at times, then we find Industrial bases on L.O.D. and its impressive rage which sounds like an American project led by another charismatic lady. I’m a Bitch offers intriguing tonalities to begin before finding abrasive riffs and aggressive vocals, then Rebel by Choice reveals us a rather Progressive rhythmic which lets rage explode to offer a wild vocalist a heady basis. Modern sounds come back on Solitary Confinement and its catchy tones, while letting the singer reveal a certain softness, again broken by intense choruses, while Sin plunges us again in mystery and worrying tones. Vocals remain mainly accompanied by dark keyboards before the haunting instrumental resurfaces, leading us to The Bitter End and its fatalistic sounds which contrast with the band’s message of hope, before the album ends with Do You Really Think I Fucking Care and its symphonic keyboards which overcome the band’s rather simple and driving mix.
The world of League of Distortion focuses around an accessible mix of simple riffs mixed with modern keyboards and motivating vocals. League of Distortion will be perfect to take your first steps in the world of Metal.
75/100
Few questions to Anna “Ace” Brunner, vocalist for the band League of Distorsion.
Hello and first of all, thank you very much for your time! Could you please introduce yourself and the band League of Distorsion without using the usual “Metal” labels?
Anna “Ace” Brunner (vocals): Hi! I’m Anna Brunner (Ace). You might be familiar with my previous band Exit Eden, a Symphonic Metal band with 4 female lead singers. Now I’ve brought a new band to life teaming up with Jim Müller (Arrow) from Kissin’ Dynamite. We used the time of uncertainty to create this powerful union with a strong message to lay the cornerstone and foundation of a band representing community, solidarity, esperance and strength. We are League of Distortion, a powerful union, welcoming everyone to be a part of this. Join the League.
What is the link between the band’s name and the music you play?
Ace: The name stands for community and solidarity which we want to build with our fans through the experience of live music and our releases. Distortion implies the sound of electric guitars and basses in heavy music, a vocal technique (which I use for my powerful way of singing) and also meaning the way we deal with our lyrics and topics – the distortion of reality looking at things from different perspectives and points of view.
League of Distorsion, your first full-length, is now out. How do you feel about it? Did you have some feedback?
Ace: Oh, we are so happy that it’s finally released now. We have been working on this for so long and it feels good to have this „child“ go out into the world. The album is strong and modern and shows different shades and varieties of metal music. Also it has a very positive vibe dealing with heavy topics but giving you power and strength to hold on and go for it. The feedback has been very positive as well which makes us even more happy of course. 🙂
How did you deal with the composition process for this album? Do you think some things could be improved?
Ace: The songwriting started in 2020, trying to process what was going on in the world. I put down first drafts of songs and lyrics, teamed up with Hannes Braun who helped us create this unique album. We also got together with Julian Breucker and Christoph Wieczorek from Sawdust Recordings and Annisokay to set the musical foundation. Since this all started during the lockdown we worked a lot from home. This is definitely something that can be done differently for the 2nd album – I’m looking forward to the creative process already!
What inspires you to create your music, which is made of catchy riffs supported by some samples and vindictive vocal parts? Same question for the lyrics.
Ace: I’ve alway been into the NuMetal era, loving Limp Bizkit, Korn and Linkin Park. Also being highly influenced and inspired by the way Chester Bennington sang, there are some Linkin Park vibes going on and also Korn sounds and Limp Bizkit attitude. Always aiming for a fresh and modern sound – still you can find these influences in our songs, for sure.
Inspiration can be everywhere for me. In a movie I watch, a phone call with a friend or a walk through nature. There are lots of personal emotions, anger or disappointment from the past. Really having the time due to the Covid stagnation, made men reprocess these personal topics and also open up to what was going on in the world then. I also devoted myself to topics that were very hard for me, like SIN. But with this song I am trying to be an example for others to talk about painful experiences and seek help if needed. I want the listeners to know that they are not alone with their feelings and past, hoping to be able to encourage them to speak their minds and fight for justice.
Which song is the first one you created for this album? Which one was the hardest one to create?
Ace: I think the first one was either Wolf or Lamb or Do You Really Think I Fuckin’ Care. They’re even the first and the last ones from the track list. The hardest one was definitely SIN. The topic was so devastating, it made me so mad and sad while writing it. But I had to finish it and I’m proud that this song is out there now.
You welcomed Christoph Wieczorek from annisokay on the song It Hurts so Good, can you please tell me about the song and your collaboration?
Ace: Yes. We were working with Christoph Wieczorek as one of the producers in the very beginning. This established a connection and getting together for the recordings intensified this connection. Asking him to feature this song wasn’t planned from the very beginning, but his voice strongly enriches the song It Hurts so Good, being an unconventional duet 🙂 Christoph isn’t only featuring the song but also co-wrote it with us.
Do you have plans for the band’s future? Whether it is about live shows, new material, or even anything else.
Ace: Yes, we have many ideas. First of all we want to tour as much as possible, play as much as we can. We’ve been on tour with Caliban, Ghost Kid and Resolve in December, next will be a tour with Kissin’ Dynamite, Dynazty and Formosa. And in March 2023 we will be on the road with Kamelot, Myrath and Eleine. We can’t wait to be out there, get to meet new people, finally rock some stages, feel the energy of live shows and share our music with future Leaguists 🙂
Are there any musicians or bands you would like to collaborate with? Whether it is for one song, an album…
Ace: Oh yes, in fact we just talked about this a few days ago. But I don’t want to spoil it so you gotta be patient and wait for the 2nd album 😉
Last question: which bands would you love to tour with? I let you create a tour (or just a single show) with League of Distorsion as opener and three other bands!
Ace: Jinjer, Rammstein, Papa Roach ;-P
That was the last question for me, so thank you very much for your time and your music, last words are yours!
Ace: Yes! Well, we’ve released some really great music videos – check them out DEFINITELY! And listen to our debut album, stream it and support us by ordering the CD or vinyl. Follow us on social media and see us on our tour with Kissin’ Dynamite, Dynazty and Formosa this December! GET YOUR TICKETS NOW! and join the League.