Brian and Shawn, along with their respective bands, Therefore I Am and Vanna, have shown that hard work and persistence can land you just about anything you desire.  Brian and Therefore I Am, signed by Equal Vision Records in 2008, is fresh off a brand new full length album release, The Sound of Human Lives, and a full stint with Warped Tour.  Shawn and Vanna, signed by Epitaph Records in 2005, is cleaning up after their third studio release, A New Hope.  Both are now on tour with beloved friends, A Loss for Words, on the This is New England Tour.

I am sad to say that I’m a complete moron and did not catch any shows.  Because this is truly what New England is all about.  They are all amazing musicians with a passion that runs as deeper than the deepest caverns known to man.  You can check them all out on their website, myspace and of course the most popular twitter.

If you are lucky enough to ever catch their music be sure to thank them for the endless efforts they have put in to continue playing the way they do.  Also, be sure to scratch Brian’s chest hair, he’ll purr like a kitten.

**Would also like to thank the beautiful Erin Caruso for the use of the photo.

Vanna is back with their brand new album, A New Hope.  Along with their new album comes a brand new single and thus a music video.  Safe to Say has become one of my favorite songs.  Chris, Shawn, Nick, Evan and Chris have taken their musical talents to a whole new level and unleashed hell upon their instruments.

The result?

One of the best metal albums that I have listened to in a while.  From Evan’s melodic voice on Safe to Say, to Chris’ ear shattering vocals in Trashmouth.  You’ll definitely feel the wrath of Nick’s guitar and the thumbing of Shawn’s bass as Chris starts an earthquake on the drums.  Check out the video above for Safe to Say and support my friends in Vanna.