Pull the Thorns from Your Heart

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Pull the Thorns from Your Heart
Studio album by
Senses Fail
ReleasedJune 30, 2015
RecordedNovember 2014
StudioLavish Studios and The Airport Studios, Burbank, California
GenreMetalcore,[1] hardcore punk,[2] heavy hardcore[3]
Length40:15
LabelPure Noise
ProducerShaun Lopez
Senses Fail chronology
Renacer
(2013) 		Pull the Thorns from Your Heart
(2015) 		In Your Absence
(2017)
Senses Fail studio album chronology
Renacer
(2013) 		Pull the Thorns from Your Heart
(2015) 		If There Is Light, It Will Find You
(2018)

Pull the Thorns from Your Heart is the sixth studio album by American post-hardcore band Senses Fail. In March and April 2015, the group supported Bayside on their headlining US tour.[4] It was released on June 30 through Pure Noise Records.[5]

Background and production[edit]

Senses Fail released their fifth album Renacer through Vagrant Records imprint Staple Records in March 2013.[6] It served as a transitional record for the band,[7] showcasing them moving away from a pop-orientated sound to a heavier-direction,[8] incorporating hardcore punk riffs and breakdowns.[9] Few months after the album's release, vocalist Buddy Nielsen stated moving forward they would be exploring a "more metal, more hardcore, less melodic" direction.[7] While touring in support of the record, Gavin Caswell took over bassist Jason Black's position.[10] In January 2014, founding drummer Dan Trapp left the band, which he later announced publicly in May.[11] The following month, Chris Hornbrook of Poison the Well was announced as their new drummer.[12] Nielsen was enthusiastic about Hornbrook's inclusion as Poison the Well was an influence on him growing up and a major influence on Renacer.[13]

In September and November, the group went on a 10-year anniversary tour for Let It Enfold You (2004). During their performance at Riot Fest, the band announced they had signed to independent label Pure Noise Records.[14] On November 10, the band revealed their next album's title Pull the Thorns from Your Heart, which they began recording that same day.[15] Sessions were helmed by producer Shaun Lopez in Burbank, California. Drums were tracked at Lavish Studios, before moving to Lopez's The Airport Studios. The recordings were mixed by Eric Stenman at Dragonfly Creek Recording in Malibu, California and Red Bull Studios in Los Angeles, California. Mastering was done by Eric Broyhill at Monster Lab Studios.[16]

Composition[edit]

Pull the Thorns from Your Heart was written in a period after Nielsen opened up about his personal life; he revealed his struggles with substance abuse and sex addiction, as well as coming out as queer.[17][18] Additionally, Nielsen had a life-changing experience with Buddhism and a deep appreciation for Vipassanā meditation, which helped him with coming out.[19] The album's title is taken from a poem by Sufi poet Rumi. Nielsen was a huge fan of his work and was enamored with what he knew about life. He explained that a lot of people have a difficult time in their lives and don't "truly get to live in the beauty that is life because there is so much wounding, so many defense mechanisms, and so much built up around our heart and conditioned behavior."[20]

The album is broken down into four chapters – Annica & Sacca, Tisarana, Maransati and Brahmaviharas – all of which being named after Buddhist concepts. Nielsen noted that while the majority of music that showcases growth and change is more peaceful and abrasive, he wanted to "show that friction is what helps spur action. Without the friction, we wouldn't want to change, we would be content."[19] All of the songs were written by the band except "The Courage of an Open Heart", "Dying Words" and "Pull the Thorns from Your Heart", which were written solely by Nielsen. Will Putney contributed additional writing to those three tracks, while Lopez did additional writing on "We Are All Returning Home".[16] Half of the tracks deal with him coming out as queer, while the other half is about reaching a level of safety and reducing suffering.[20]

Release[edit]

On March 3, 2015, the group released a 7" split with labelmates Man Overboard. Senses Fail's contributions were a Pull the Thorns outtake "All You Need Is Already Within You" and a cover of Man Overboard's "Real Talk".[21] In March and April, the group supported Bayside on their headlining US tour.[22] On April 29, Pull the Thorns from Your Heart was announced for release in June.[23] Alongside the announcement, a music video was released for "The Importance of the Moment of Death". The video is a "mythic representation of how innocence can be forcefully taken away from us as children, leaving us with too much too soon and without the proper coping skills."[24] On May 26, "The Courage of an Open Heart" and "Wounds" were made available for streaming via Metal Hammer.[25]

On June 17, a lyric video was released for "Carry the Weight".[26] Pull the Thorns from Your Heart was made available for streaming on June 22,[27] before being released on June 30 through Pure Noise Records.[23] Between June and August, the group performed on the Warped Tour.[28] A music video for "The Three Marks of Existence" premiered on July 9 via Substream Magazine.[29] It was filmed in black and white and shot during the group's performances at Warped Tour.[30] In September and November, the band supported Counterparts on their headlining European tour.[31] In November and December, the group went on a co-headlining US tour with Silverstein. They were supported by Hundredth and Capsize.[32] The band was due to tour Australia in March 2016, but as a result of family issues it was cancelled.[33]

Reception[edit]

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[34]
The Aquarian WeeklyFavorable[35]
Dead Press![36]
idobi[37]
Kill Your Stereo85/100[38]
The Music[39]
New NoiseFavorable[40]
PopMatters[41]
Punknews.org[42]
Ultimate Guitar7.7/10[43]

The album received positive reviews.

Track listing[edit]

Writing credits per booklet.[16]

I. Anicca & Sacca
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Three Marks of Existence"
1:52
2."Carry the Weight"
  • Nielsen
  • Caswell
  • Hornbrook
  • Roach
  • Smith
4:06
3."The Courage of an Open Heart"
  • Nielsen
3:12
II. Trisarana
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
4."Wounds"
  • Nielsen
  • Caswell
  • Hornbrook
  • Roach
  • Smith
3:47
5."Take Refuge"
  • Nielsen
  • Caswell
  • Hornbrook
  • Roach
  • Smith
4:00
6."Surrender"
  • Nielsen
  • Caswell
  • Hornbrook
  • Roach
  • Smith
5:14
III. Maranasati
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
7."Dying Words"
  • Nielsen
2:48
8."The Importance of the Moment of Death"
  • Nielsen
  • Caswell
  • Hornbrook
  • Roach
  • Smith
2:34
9."Pull the Thorns from Your Heart"
  • Nielsen
4:01
IV. Brahmaviharas
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
10."We Are All Returning Home"
  • Nielsen
  • Caswell
  • Hornbrook
  • Roach
  • Smith
4:00
11."My Fear of an Unlived Life"
  • Nielsen
  • Caswell
  • Hornbrook
  • Roach
  • Smith
6:00
Total length:40:15

Personnel[edit]

Personnel per booklet.[16]

Charts[edit]

Chart (2015) Peak
position
US Billboard 200[44] 109
US Top Album Sales (Billboard)[45] 58
US Top Alternative Albums (Billboard)[46] 15
US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard)[47] 4
US Independent Albums (Billboard)[48] 8
US Top Rock Albums (Billboard)[49] 20
US Vinyl Albums (Billboard)[50] 5

References[edit]

  1. ^ Young, Neil. "Senses Fail If There Is Light, It Will Find You". AllMusic. Archived from the original on March 7, 2018. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  2. ^ Markarian, Taylor (12 July 2022). "Reviews - Hell Is In Your Head - BLABBERMOUTH.NET". Blabbermouth.net. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  3. ^ Reid, Sean. "SENSES FAIL – 'HELL IS IN YOUR HEAD'". punktastic.com. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  4. ^ Sharp, Tyler (November 20, 2014). "Bayside, Senses Fail, Man Overboard, Seaway tour announced". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. Archived from the original on December 18, 2017. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  5. ^ "Pull The Thorns From Your Heart, by Senses Fail". Pure Noise Records. Archived from the original on 2017-09-01. Retrieved 2017-09-05.
  6. ^ Whitt, Cassie (January 14, 2013). "Senses Fail announce fifth album, 'Renacer'". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on March 17, 2019. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  7. ^ a b Childers, Chad (September 25, 2013). "Senses Fail's Buddy Nielsen Talks Musical Transition, Fall Tour + More". Noisecreep. Archived from the original on August 1, 2018. Retrieved March 16, 2019.
  8. ^ O'Neil, Luke (March 20, 2013). "Stream Senses Fail's new album, 'Renacer'". MTV. Archived from the original on May 26, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  9. ^ Rolli, Bryan (May 8, 2017). "Senses Fail and the relentless pursuit of screamo". The Daily Dot. Archived from the original on May 20, 2018. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  10. ^ Watt, Lochlan (July 31, 2013). "Bringing The Mood". The Music. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  11. ^ Crane, Matt (May 5, 2014). "Founding drummer Dan Trapp leaves Senses Fail". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  12. ^ Lach, Stef (June 3, 2014). "Senses Fail reveal new drummer". Metal Hammer. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
  13. ^ McGrath, Ryan (September 17, 2014). "An Interview with Senses Fail: A Decade Still Enfolding". The Aquarian Weekly. Archived from the original on October 24, 2015. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  14. ^ Crane, Matt (September 15, 2014). "Senses Fail sign to Pure Noise Records; to release new album next year". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  15. ^ Sharp, Tyler (November 10, 2014). "Senses Fail to release new album, 'Pull The Thorns From Your Heart'". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  16. ^ a b c d Pull the Thorns from Your Heart (booklet). Senses Fail. Pure Noise Records. 2015. PNE 171.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ^ Crane, Matt (November 6, 2014). "Senses Fail's Buddy Nielsen opens up about sexual orientation, addiction, more". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on September 14, 2017. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  18. ^ Poitras, Andrew (July 16, 2015). "Q&A: Senses Fail Frontman, Warped Tour Veteran, on Coming Out as Queer". Fuse.tv. Archived from the original on May 25, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  19. ^ a b Adams, Gregory (April 29, 2015). "Senses Fail 'Pull the Thorns from Your Heart' on New LP". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on August 25, 2018. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  20. ^ a b Crane, Matt (November 6, 2014). "Senses Fail's Buddy Nielsen opens up about sexual orientation, addiction, more". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on September 14, 2017. Retrieved March 18, 2019.
  21. ^ Sharp, Tyler (February 3, 2015). "Senses Fail, Man Overboard announce seven-inch split". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on July 7, 2018. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  22. ^ Sharp, Tyler (November 20, 2014). "Bayside, Senses Fail, Man Overboard, Seaway tour announced". Alternative Press. Alternative Press Magazine, Inc. Archived from the original on December 18, 2017. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  23. ^ a b Sharp, Tyler (April 29, 2015). "Senses Fail stream lead single from sixth album, 'Pull The Thorns From Your Heart'". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on July 4, 2018. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  24. ^ "Senses Fail Throw the Worst Party with the Best Soundtrack in "The Importance of the Moment of Death"". Noisey. April 29, 2015. Archived from the original on May 26, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  25. ^ Metal Hammer (May 26, 2015). "Senses Fail premiere two new songs". Metal Hammer. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  26. ^ AltPress (June 17, 2015). "Senses Fail unleash new song, "Carry The Weight"". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  27. ^ AltPress (June 22, 2015). "Senses Fail stream 'Pull The Thorns From Your Heart'". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  28. ^ Sharp, Tyler (April 8, 2015). "Senses Fail, Knuckle Puck, Miss May I, more announced for Warped Tour 2015". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  29. ^ Heisel, Scott (July 9, 2015). "PREMIERE: Senses Fail's "The Three Marks Of Existence" video will make you mosh right now, wherever you are". Substream Magazine. Archived from the original on May 3, 2016. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  30. ^ Leak, Brian (July 9, 2015). "Senses Fail release live performance video for "The Three Marks Of Existence"". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  31. ^ Redrup, Zach (June 22, 2015). "NEWS: Counterparts confirm headline UK tour for October 2015!". Dead Press!. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  32. ^ Bazley, John (August 21, 2015). "Silverstein, Senses Fail announce co-headlining tour". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  33. ^ Chatterjee, Kika (January 17, 2016). "Senses Fail cancel Australian tour". Alternative Press. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  34. ^ "Pull the Thorns from Your Heart - Senses Fail - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Archived from the original on May 25, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  35. ^ Graves, Alison (February 16, 2016). "Senses Fail: Pull The Thorns From Your Heart". The Aquarian Weekly. Diane Casazza, Chris Farinas. Archived from the original on May 26, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  36. ^ Bliss, Tony (June 30, 2015). "ALBUM: Senses Fail – Pull the Thorns from Your Heart". Dead Press!. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  37. ^ "Album Review: Senses Fail â€" Pull The Thorns From Your Heart". idobi.com. Archived from the original on May 25, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  38. ^ "Senses Fail - Pull The Thorns From Your Heart Review -- Killyourstereo.com". Archived from the original on May 25, 2018. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  39. ^ Summers, Brad (July 9, 2015). "Senses Fail / Pull The Thorns From Your Heart". The Music. Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  40. ^ "Album Review: Senses Fail - "Pull the Thorns From Your Heart" - New Noise Magazine". 29 June 2015. Archived from the original on 25 May 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  41. ^ Beaudion, Jedd (July 12, 2015). "Senses Fail: Pull the Thorns from Your Heart". PopMatters. PopMatters Media, Inc. Archived from the original on May 24, 2018. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  42. ^ Jon (June 26, 2015). "Senses Fail - Pull The Thorns From Your Heart". Punknews.org. Archived from the original on January 8, 2016. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  43. ^ Abt, Parker (August 6, 2015). "Pull The Thorns From Your Heart review by Senses Fail". Ultimate Guitar. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  44. ^ "Senses Fail Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  45. ^ "Senses Fail Chart History (Top Album Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  46. ^ "Senses Fail Chart History (Top Alternative Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  47. ^ "Senses Fail Chart History (Top Hard Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  48. ^ "Senses Fail Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  49. ^ "Senses Fail Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  50. ^ "Senses Fail Chart History (Vinyl Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved March 6, 2018.

External links[edit]

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