San Diego-based Rock band Quor came on the music scene in 2011 as We Are Going to Be Awesome with Vocalist/Guitarist Brian Corn and Bassist/Vocalist Doug Smith, melding Rock, Punk, and Metal. Interestingly, the name Quor was born after Corn saw a liquor sign with the “L” and “I” missing. The name Quor also pokes fun of the current state of Rock labeling everything into ‘core’ genre’s (Hardcore, Mathcore, Metalcore, etc.). Taking matters a step further, the band does not go by trends to be called “a band.” Joining up with Drummer John Michael Cordes, the band gave props to their original name by titling their debut EP, 2013’s We Are Going to Be Awesome, with the help of the video for “Let’s Rise,” which won the Award of Merit from Indiefest Film Festival. The following year, with the exposure from two tours, Quor’s fanbase, or as the band affectionately calls them, the Quoralition, grew exponentially. Now, Quor is back with their five track EP, Human Paradigm, recorded in one weekend at Swagger Studios in Los Angeles, CA and Signature Sound Studios in San Diego, CA, and produced by Dan Whittemore (The Suicide Chords, Cobra Skulls) and Christian Cummings (U2, Manuok), independently released on September 10, 2015.
Released as a two disc packing, combining 2013’s We Are Going to Be Awesome with the new Human Paradigm, the combined 9-tracks is a rip-roaring look into these unconventional conventionalists. Starting with “Silence and Spark,” a thumping, driving track of Speed Metal drums with a tight riff interspersed as the guys sing of the yin and yang of our good and evil sides, and the outside sources that mold us to the people we are, or the powers that be that feed us what they want us to think for their own agenda. Next, “When the Gods Speak” kicks in a bit toned down Speed Metal drums and a melodic guitar weaving through in this piece of the apocalypse, “When the gods speak/The world will cry /When the gods speak/The world will cry, life will die.”
The album’s title track, “Human Paradigm,” slows it down a bit with a sweeping drum beat that accompanies an ethereal riff that flows into a hard solo before turning into a sweeping bit of music as the guys question whether we, as humans, have free will to be different from one another or are we fated to a certain life individually or as a whole, “Abstract or fate’d/To live/One mind in all, the fight within.” The mid-tempo “The Reverent,” which Corn says is based on a novel he is writing, has an ominous melody juxtaposed to the power ballad lyrics of, “I will follow you to the next Life.” A dark riff hails in “Guardian” broodingly. This track incorporates feedback with the riffs as the drums have an anthemic feel to them in this song of hoping to not be forgotten by their god.
Moving along to disc two, We are Going to Be Awesome’s “Watching You” is a full-on rocker of grinding guitars and pounding drums that induce moshing and flying head-banging hair. The message here could be taken as a guardian angel of sorts watching over someone. Layered riffs bring in “The Fragile Break,” and do not let up even when accompanying the lyrics of only having limited time to live and wasting it or making the best of it. The deep “Paradise” grinds on after a power ballad-esque intro. This piece says that it is never too late to seek paradise. The finale comes with “Let’s Rise,” bringing the album to a close as hard as it opened with tight, choppy riffs and hypnotic beats as this track has a message of rising above the world’s negativity.
Quor’s Human Paradigm is deep commentary on the many facets of the human condition through their eyes, affording listeners the ability to see by hearing. Furthering this thought, the Quoralition will be able to see the band on their current tour through the next year. CrypticRock gives Human Paradigm 5 out of 5 stars.
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