We Search, We Dig

When speaking with the members of Arkansas hard rock outfit The Overseer, one phrase comes up time and time again: "In the moment." But it's not because the hotly tipped band wants to focus on the here-and-now. It's because they want to transcend it.

It's become something of a mission statement for the band, the desire to make music that can elevate, that can transport the listener to a place that's emotionally honest... and that can stir up one hell of a mess in the mosh pit. As anyone who has heard their artfully dynamic material can attest - it's something the band achieves in spades. "I'd like to say that the music we write is more than just 'in the moment,'" says vocalist Anthony Rivera. "We're looking to write something that stands the test of time, that people can look back on and still enjoy 10 years from now."

All of those elements are on full technicolor display in the band's debut full-length, We Search, We Dig. Recorded earlier this year at Atlanta's Glow In The Dark studios, the album is a gorgeously dynamic, sweeping debut that touches on the scorching riffage and gray-toned arena-worthy anthems of Underøath, Thrice and Cave In in a way that never emulates those artists directly. The Overseer delivers hard-hitting, uncompromising hard rock that belies the members' young age. This isn't "cash in on the latest trend" music, it's "sweat and tears" hard rock, with a little blood thrown in for good measure.

"We Search, We Dig is an aggressive rock record that's going to be a refreshing sound to this generation and today's music scene," says bassist Bradley Riggs. "Fans are really going to love the expected heavy aspect of the album... But it's not a 'breakdown' heavy, exactly. The album has a lot of smooth softer rhythms and melodies that really set up big impacting choruses and riffs."

For The Overseer, We Search, We Dig is just as much an album of self discovery as it is the work of an inspired band with a clear vision and the feeling of a higher purpose.

"The end of the second track, 'Dredge', has the lyrics 'We search, we dig,'" explains Rivera. "That is a theme of the whole record, not just that track in particular - the idea that people are searching for hope, digging for truth and going through trials full of highs and lows. The record reflects on both extremes of the journey through the eyes of the band members."

Showing they've got the work ethic as well as the talent it takes to make it in the musical big-leagues, The Overseer have proven themselves to be completely devoted to the rock and roll life, even when it meant hitting the road for 400 gruelling days in the last two years as an unsigned band. The relentless push to connect with fans around the country has been a dynamic and rewarding experience for the band - if not always glamorous. "There's really nothing like sleeping in a van in a different Walmart parking lot every night and showering once a week - or less," laughs Riggs. "Touring is a challenge, but it makes it a lot easier when you can do it with guys who you completely trust in life. We've seen the world together and been through a lot, both great and terrible. We probably know each other better than we know ourselves."

With the album in the can, The Overseer has gone back to doing the OTHER thing they do best: Tour, tour and tour, taking their music and their spiritually-minded message to eager fans. "I expect great things to happen for us over the next few years. We believe in hard work and hopefully we can leave an impression on a our listeners and maybe become a musical influence to them in the future," Riggs says. "We know our most exciting days on the road are to come, and that keeps us moving forward."

Forget living "in the moment." The Overseer are living for the future, and it looks like a bright one indeed.

Anthony Rivera: vocals

Darren King: guitar/vocals

Bradley Riggs: bass

Abishai Collingsworth: drums