There are certain pivotal moments in life, where the choices we make either open doors or close them, forcing us to make a decision that will forever alter the course of our lives. Our ability to make these decisions is determined by our will, an asset of the human character that will continue to be tested until our final hour. It is in this immeasurable and internal strength, from which Test of Will was born.
A vision pioneered from the pairing of Kevin Comden (guitar) and Patrick Coggins (drums), two college students in Santa Cruz, California, as an avenue to express their diverse musical tastes in a heavy rock format. Formerly members of the rock trio, At Last, (2002) they grew unhappy with the musical direction of the band and sought a change. After the group parted ways in 2003, Kevin and Patrick were left with an opportunity to start anew. They began working on a collection of songs Kevin had written, and refining what would eventually become, Test of Will.
After some time, and a number of auditions, the group recruited Gordon Goldstine (Bass), and Frank Cariglio (vocals), adding even more to an already boiling pot of progressive/alternative rock, metal, jazz, and funk influences. "The great thing about Test of Will is that I know I can bring any of my influences to the table, and the guys will approach them with completely open minds" (Gordon). In 2004, the group completed its line up and got to work right away playing a couple of shows and achieving some radio play in northern California. However, the start proved to be premature when the group lost its frontman and found themselves yet again, without a singer. Determined to follow through, the group, frustrated and full of ambition packed up and moved to Los Angeles, California in the summer of 2005. "For what we were trying to play, there just wasn't any opportunity for us in Santa Cruz. It was time for a change" (Kevin). It was in this time of drastic change, that through a twist of fate, Kevin was reunited with his childhood friend, Joshua Parsons (vocals). "It was a trip, because we were best friends when we were kids and I ended up moving away to Chicago and during that 12 year period life took us in the same directions and little did we know that 12 yrs into the future, music would bring us both back to L.A. and in the same band" (Josh). Joshua, former singer and bassist for Chicago based jazz metal outfit Westbury, relocated from the Midwest after parting ways with his band mates to pursue music in LA. It was in Joshua, that the group finally found their missing voice and frontman.
In today's world of modern rock, Test of Will emerges as one of today's most unique rock 4 pieces. Completely void of any egos and the result of primary collaborative efforts, these 4 humble guys write often introspective and high energy songs. "We take our music very seriously, but not ourselves. When it's business it's business, but we never cease to have a good time performing and hangin’ with anyone who cares to listen. We aren't cool; in fact some of us are absolute nerds! But it's nice to be in a band where the music takes precedence over all else" (Patrick). While placing an emphasis on vocals and song structure, the songs are often full of melodic interplay between the guitars. Rhythmically, you can expect the bass and drums to be holding it down with infectious and often funky grooves, all the while capturing their audience with memorable choruses and intense lyrical content. Dynamically, the songs are all over the place. Often soft and reflective, the same song can reach cataclysmic heights of energy coupled with heavy distorted guitars. Who does Test of Will sound like? With influences like Rush, Faith No More, Dredg, The Mars Volta, Alien Ant Farm, Yes, The Police, and Seal, their music is a blend of tastes.
The group's future has already been set in motion. On April 3rd, 2006, they debuted at the famous Whisky a Go Go in Hollywood, CA, and were well received by fans, family, and friends alike. The show earned them numerous invitations back the following months for encore performances and since that point, TOW has spent the time in-between perfecting their live sound while honing their songwriting ability.
Now, with the release of their debut album “Scattered Leaves”, Test of Will is slated to become one of the largest forces in the Los Angeles rock scene and beyond…
