Originating from Buffalo, NY, Split From the Mind is not just another rock band—it’s a project driven by raw emotion, musical sincerity, and a profound desire to create something significant. The trio of Stephen Wright (vocals, guitar), Douglas Griffith Jr. (drums), and Charles Sanfilipo (bass tracking) have produced a debut EP that goes beyond delivering a sound, capturing a feeling—a moment in time where struggle meets catharsis.
Their self-titled debut EP, "Split From the Mind", delves into crisis and resolution, merging the sonic intensity of bands like TOOL, Audioslave, and Nine Inch Nails with deeply introspective lyrics. The result is six tracks of unfiltered expression, where each note and lyric feels like a direct transmission from the depths of the human experience.
The journey begins with, "Patterns Of...", a track that immediately sets the tone for the EP. It’s a slow-burning introduction that grapples with the cyclical nature of mistakes, layering haunting melodies over driving instrumentation. As the EP progresses, "Falling.." delves deeper into themes, capturing the weight of self-doubt and the feeling of being trapped in a cycle of repetition. The song’s heavy, brooding atmosphere delivers an emotional blow, drawing the listener into deep reflection.
"Power Is.." and "For F*ck’s Sake.." turn the focus outward, channeling frustration and rage against the systems and structures that fuel cycles of disillusionment. These tracks hit hard with their raw energy, distorted guitars, and aggressive rhythms, carrying a clear influence from the political and social urgency of Rage Against the Machine. The drumming is particularly relentless, driving each song forward like a force of nature.
But it’s, "Spit From the Grind", that truly stands as the centerpiece of the EP. This lead single is the emotional and musical turning point, bringing everything together in a moment of self-awareness. Unlike the externalized anger of the previous tracks, this song turns inward, challenging the protagonist’s own role in their fate. It’s a track that doesn’t offer easy answers but instead forces the listener to sit with the discomfort of self-examination. The instrumentation is dynamic—quiet, tense moments give way to crashing waves of distortion, echoing the turmoil of the lyrics. Wright’s vocals shift from subdued contemplation to desperate, almost cathartic release, mirroring the mental push and pull of someone on the edge of a revelation.
The EP concludes with, "A Beat in the Dark", a track that doesn’t neatly tie everything together but rather leaves the listener at a crossroads. It acknowledges the struggle, the pain, and the fight, but instead of dictating a resolution, it leaves the choice up to the individual—a fittingly open-ended conclusion to an EP that values personal interpretation over didactic messaging.
What makes, "Split From the Mind", such a compelling listen isn’t just its influences or its sonic weight—it’s the unmistakable sense of authenticity behind it. The band doesn’t shy away from imperfections, and in fact, it’s those very human elements that make the music feel so powerful. The production is raw without feeling unfinished, the performances passionate without feeling over-rehearsed. It’s music made not for the charts but for the soul, for the people who still crave rock that feels like something real rather than something manufactured.
Stephen Wright’s personal journey—rediscovering the guitar after years away from music, building this project from basement demos into a fully realized band—is embedded in every track. It’s clear that this isn’t about fame or algorithm-friendly success; it’s about making something that stands for itself, whether it reaches millions or just a few who truly connect with it.
In an era where rock often feels either over-polished or desperately nostalgic, "Split From the Mind", carves out its own space—one that acknowledges its influences but isn’t afraid to bare its own soul. It’s an EP that demands to be felt, not just heard, and that’s what makes it special. This is a project born from passion, from frustration, from the undeniable pull of music that "means" something. Whether this is the beginning of something bigger or simply a moment in time captured in six songs, "Split From the Mind", proves that there is still room for rock that’s unafraid to be raw, flawed, and gritty. And in a world that often feels disconnected and synthetic, that’s more than enough to make it resonate.
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