When you are a band, sometimes change is what is needed to keep things moving in a positive direction. The old saying “One bad apple spoils the bunch” definitely holds true when it comes to bands and apparently is the case with Atlanta band Die Once. Die Once is a band that I was never too impressed with but honestly I think a lot of it had to do with the overall presence of lead vocalist Melanie Morgan. Morgan at times appeared to be highly intoxicated and somewhat of a loose cannon on stage. While some people found her Janis Joplin-esque presence to be “cool”, I always felt like that she was the thing that was holding this band back from doing something truly great. The talent was there, the musicianship was there, but her discordant vocals and odd presence just killed it for me.
Things seemed to start going downhill pretty fast when the band announced that they were having to pull out of the support slot for a local performance by Fozzy and Brainfart favorites Kyng the day of the show. The band announced:
Regretfully we announce that Die Once will not be performing tonight, May 6, at The Revival as originally planned. We apologize to our friends, fans, and promoters. We wish Melanie the best as she focuses on her health. We will be at the show supporting Fozzy, Kyng, and Halcyon Way. Respectfully, TJ, Chet, Jamie and Woody.
Almost a month to the day, Die Once released the following statement:
Die Once is proud to announce a new lead singer, Rachel Parsons! Melanie Morgan has brought so many talents to this band and we wish her continued success, happiness and most importantly her continued focus on health. Please join us in welcoming Rachel! More details and announcements to follow. Much love:, TJ, Jamie, Chet and Woody
I really hope that the band will give Parsons the opportunity to shine and to be creative as I feel that this will take the band to a whole new level. While Morgan’s influences liked in more modern sounding hard rock/metal, Parsons pulls from influences ranging from obscure European epic/symphonic metal bands such as Epica and Inkubus Sukkubus to the more classic sounds of acts such as Blue Oyster Cult and Pink Floyd. Parsons is also a very talented piano player. I can’t wait to hear what Parsons will bring to this band and I am looking forward to hearing the material that they will be coming up with. As for Morgan, I wish her nothing but the best and I wish her a healthy recovery. That being said, congrats to Die Once for getting one of the best hidden talents in Atlanta. Good look to everyone and best to all.
Check out Rachel’s outstanding piano/vocal cover of the Inkubus Sukkubus song “Samhain.”
About The Author
