The five-track joint effort will be available via Soundtrack by Twitch, giving streamers the ability to add music from the EP to their Twitch streams.
Ubiquitous Youtube shredder Jared Dines has teamed up with Trivium frontman Matt Heafy for a collaborative EP that delivers power and precision while integrating different era of metal mastery.
Delivered direct to all streaming platforms, the five-track EP is also being offered via Soundtrack by Twitch, giving Twitch streamers a way to add licensed music from the EP to their Twitch live streams during a 30-day period. The unique model underscores the a creative union that began in the digital space.
The duo’s connection dates back to 2017 when Heafy reached out to Dines to participate in his immensely popular Shred Wars series. Their face-off tallied more than 2 million views and cemented a relationship that would continue to grow in the years following.
In fact, Dines would be enlisted to fill Heafy’s shoes in 2018, when the frontman stepped away from touring to welcome his twins into the world. During that same time, the first ideas for what would become the Dines X Heafy EP would be exchanged as Jared presented Heafy with a folder of ideas.
Dines discussed the interesting dynamic of the duo. “Matt was pre-internet in the way he launched his career, releasing records, playing shows, and signing to a label,” observes Dines.
“I’m post-internet in the way I launched my career by using YouTube, Facebook, and all of these other video apps. It is interesting to see the crossover though. Matt has done everything traditionally. At the same time, he embraced new technologies instead of shutting them out. By doing this together, we get to be in both worlds. The EP was recorded in a raw and real manner. So, it has a different element. It would be cool to show everyone it does not matter if you are a guitarist from Instagram or you are in a big band, you can do things together. At the end of the day, the goal is simple — we’re just trying to write good songs and create some cool shit.”
Reiterating that embrace of new technology, Heafy himself has cultivated an impressive digital presence with his ever-popular Twitch platform and his consistent quality of streaming. Heafy disclosed how his evolution and has permeated both personally and professionally.
“Streaming actually helped me improve as a singer and as a guitarist, because I’m practicing all day in front of people,” explains Heafy. “The culture is very regimented. However, I have always had that mentality, because my mom is Japanese, and my dad was a marine. Now, it is a combination of three things: streaming, training, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Those practices made me better at what I do and prepared me to jump into something new. I took a very different approach to DINES x HEAFY. It all came very organically without any planning.”
Coupled with the unveiling of their EP, the tandem have also shared a new visual for the track, “Dear Anxiety”. The selection is a proper showcase of horse power and virtuosity, emphasizing the kind of talent that has made both artists such important players in the genre.
Stream Dines X Heafy EP – HERE // Watch the visual for “Dear Anxiety” below
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