PERIPHERY’S SPENCER SOTELO WANTS YOU TO “WALK HARD”

Super-Internet phenoms Periphery came under intense fire by fans earlier this year when, as their debut album release was finally drawing near, they booted popular vocalist Chris Barretto in favor of Spencer Sotelo who many fans perceived to be too soft and emo-y. When the album came out with Sotelo’s re-recorded vocals, many longtime followers rebelled against Sotelo and claimed that the album was the aural equivalent of a butterface — great band, bad vocals. Then, in a somewhat surprising move that was something of a slap in the face to Sotelo, Misha and co. decided to release an entirely instrumental version of the album giving said fans their wish.

Now Sotelo is fighting back. Got-Djent.com is reporting that Sotelo has posted a re-worked version of the song “The Walk” on his personal MySpace page featuring harsher vocals.

If Sotelo is trying to prove his toughness “The Walk” strikes me as an odd choice since that track is one of the album’s heaviest and already featured all screaming; but to his credit, the re-worked version does have some pretty gnarly sounding low screams and guttural death growls. For reference, check the album version here.

So what do Periphery fans think? I really don’t care either way; I liked Barretto better for this band, but Sotelo is a perfectly fine vocalist with a great range. I ain’t one of the haters.

Don’t forget that Periphery are on the MetalSucks-sponsored Legacy Tour this fall with Darkest Hour, Veil of Maya and a special guest TBA!

-VN