Gospel (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2003 in Brooklyn, New York, United States |
| Founder | Adam Dooling, Sean Miller, Vincent Roseboom |
| Headquarters | Brooklyn , United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
Gospel is a hardcore punk group from the United States, established in 2003 in Brooklyn, New York. The original lineup consisted of guitarist and vocalist Adam Dooling, bassist Sean Miller, and drummer Vincent Roseboom, with keyboardist and guitarist Johnathan Pastir joining the band in 2004.
Their first album, The Moon Is a Dead World (2005), was met with critical praise. However, the band dissolved in late 2006 due to artistic disagreements. They reunited briefly between 2009 and 2010 before coming back together once more in 2018. Their follow-up studio album, The Loser, was released in 2022.
Gospel is noted for merging elements of progressive rock with hardcore punk. Their debut album, The Moon Is a Dead World, is widely regarded as an influential work within the screamo genre.
Formation (2003–2004)
Gospel originated in Brooklyn in 2003, with founding members Dooling, Miller, and Roseboom having previously collaborated in the late-1990s hardcore/screamo band Helen of Troy. As their songwriting evolved to incorporate progressive influences alongside hardcore, they expanded the lineup by adding Johnathan Pastir on keyboards in 2004. Pastir specifically learned keyboard skills to contribute to the band's sound.
The Moon Is a Dead World and breakup (2004–2006)
In March 2005, Gospel recorded their debut album, The Moon Is a Dead World, a title inspired by a plaque at the American Museum of Natural History. The record was released two months later through Level Plane Records, a label operated by Greg Drudy of Saetia. The album garnered widespread acclaim and is considered a landmark release within screamo music. Gospel supported the album with extensive touring along the East Coast of the United States, sharing stages with Meneguar and building considerable momentum within Level Plane and the broader music scene. Their live performances were known for their intensity; notably, they were banned from The Owl Music Parlour after a fire incident following one of their shows. A late 2006 tour alongside Converge further elevated their profile.
After touring with Converge, Gospel worked on several recording projects including a studio version of "The Magic Volume of Dark Matter," a lengthy 23-minute track played live only once in 2006. However, none of these efforts materialized into releases. Facing fatigue, internal disagreements, and conflicting artistic visions, Gospel announced their dissolution in late 2006 without initially providing detailed reasons. Johnathan Pastir later reflected that "the unwavering visions everyone had for the band really destroyed the band."
Brief reunion (2009–2010)
In 2009, Gospel came back together and composed enough material for a new album, originally intending to release it quietly. Instead, they performed a benefit concert on January 29, 2010, to support Matty "No Times" Messina, a former roadie requiring funds for a liver transplant. By this time, the band was no longer affiliated with Level Plane and planned to release new music around March 2010. During the benefit show, they issued LIVIDII, a live compilation featuring recordings from 2004 to 2006. They also played another benefit event in April 2010.
On June 14, 2010, Gospel released the single "Tango." Although they attempted to create an extended play afterward, they ultimately disbanded again. Adam Dooling explained this by stating, "We still weren't ready yet."
Second reunion, The Loser and MVDM (2018–present)
In 2018, Gospel came back together following a chance meeting at Matty Messina's wedding and encouragement from Vincent Roseboom's father. Although their initial plan was to complete "The Magic Volume of Dark Matter," they shifted focus and created fresh compositions instead.
Repeater Records issued a remastered version of The Moon Is a Dead World in January 2019, releasing it on double vinyl with refreshed artwork. Later that year, in September, the band performed a sold-out show at Saint Vitus Bar in Brooklyn, where they introduced new tracks to their audience.
November 2021 saw the announcement of The Loser, Gospel’s first album in 17 years, preceded by the release of the single "S.R.O." The track was produced by Kurt Ballou, who also contributed saxophone parts. The full album became available on May 13, 2022.
On January 16, 2022, Gospel held a benefit concert in Brooklyn supporting drummer Vincent Roseboom’s daughter, who was battling pediatric cancer. Subsequently, on April 20, 2022, they unveiled another single from the album titled "Deerghost." Critical reception for The Loser was largely favorable.
On July 11, 2022, the band released "The Magic Volume of Dark Matter" under the title MVDM: The Magical Volumes Vol.1: The Magick Volume of Dark Madder.
Musical style and influences
Gospel’s sound has been described using various genres such as screamo, post-hardcore, progressive rock, grindcore, and hardcore punk. They have also been referred to as "prog-punk" or "progressive hardcore." Adam Dooling explained to Decibel that their music represents an uncompromising fusion of each member’s distinct style, highlighting mutual respect despite strong individual contributions. Their influences span artists and groups like The Beatles, Miles Davis, Nirvana, the 1970 rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar, Metallica, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Joy Division, The Cure, Silverchair, Jane's Addiction, and Primus. Additionally, they acknowledge the 1974 Genesis album The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, featuring Peter Gabriel, as a significant inspiration.
Eschewing current musical trends, Gospel preferred to root their sound in classic influences. They deliberately distanced themselves from the screamo scene culture they initially emerged from—a scene that Dooling criticized as superficial. This approach reflects their intention to stand apart from dominant genre conventions.
Band members
- Adam Edward Dooling – vocals and guitar (2003–2006, 2009–2010, 2018–present)
- Sean Edward Miller – bass guitar (2003–2006, 2009–2010, 2018–present)
- Vincent Walter Roseboom – drums (2003–2006, 2009–2010, 2018–present)
- Johnathan Andrew Pastir – keyboards and guitar (2004–2006, 2009–2010, 2018–present)
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | The Moon Is a Dead World |
|
| 2022 | The Loser |
|
EPs
| Year | Title | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | MVDM: The Magical Volumes Vol.1: The Magick Volume of Dark Madder |
|
Live albums
| Year | Title | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Lived |
|
Limited edition of 100 hand-numbered copies. Majority of tracks later re-recorded for The Moon Is a Dead World |
| 2010 | LIVIDII |
|
Edition limited to 50 units, sold exclusively at a benefit concert. |
Split releases
| Year | Title | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | A Split 10" (featuring Kodan Armada) |
|
"Congratulations: You've Hit Bottom!" was re-recorded for The Moon Is a Dead World |
Singles
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Tango" | 2010 | The Loser |
| "S.R.O." | 2021 | |
| "Deerghost" | 2022 |
External links
References
- Gospel (hardcore punk band)
- Musical quartets from New York (state)
- American screamo musical groups
- Hardcore punk groups from New York (state)
- Level Plane Records artists
- Musical groups established in 2003
- Musical groups from Brooklyn
- 2003 establishments in New York City
- Musical groups disestablished in 2006
- Musical groups reestablished in 2009
- Musical groups disestablished in 2010
- Musical groups reestablished in 2018