Hanging On By A Thread

The origins of Tooth & Nail’s latest hard rock acquisition The Letter Black actually dates back to members time in Breaking the Silence. After forming in 2006, the group entered the studio independently with Travis Wyrick (P.O.D., Pillar, Disciple), followed by an impressive streak of 150 shows a year. Between constant contact with the label through that all-star producer and a last minute call from the company to serve as a substitute for a broken up band on the otherwise successful Five 4 Five Tour alongside Dizmas and Children 18:3 (with just two weeks notice), the Uniontown, Pennsylvania-based band signed by the dotted line. Upon making it to the major label ranks, the group stumbled upon a similarly named mainstream band and soon shifted from Breaking the Silence to The Letter Black after a suggestion from legendary Helmet front man Page Hamilton. Outside of having a curious ring to it, the new moniker better encapsulates the band’s aggressive instrumental onslaught and literate lyrical disposition. “All of us go through different chapters in our lives,” suggests guitarist/co-songwriter Mark Anthony. “In these chapters we write letters of good and bad times. Some letters in our chapters, we are happy to share. Others, we are not so proud of. The Letter Black reminds us of the past mistakes we have made and helps us remember to not keep making the same mistakes.”