Los Angeles-based hard rock/metal band THE MENDENHALL EXPERIMENT have today (October 6) released a second single—“Stronger Together,” from their upcoming EP AGAINST ALL ODDS in honor of World Cerebral Palsy Day, an incurable neurological disorder that founding member/guitarist BRANDON MENDENHALL suffers from. The disorder affects movement, coordination and balance and only allows MENDENHALL limited movement on his left side. Despite the odds being stacked against him—which was the inspiration for the EP’s title—he refused to let his disability get in the way of his passion for music and taught himself how to play guitar which rehabilitated his left hand without surgical intervention and led to the formation of THE MENDENHALL EXPERIMENT. His inspirational story was the subject matter of the award-winning 2019 documentary Mind Over Matter (Sumerian Films) directed by French filmmakerSébastien Paquet (Korn, Wounded Warriors).
“World Cerebral Palsy Day is a day that those of us with Cerebral Palsy can stand together, stronger together,” states MENDENHALL. “It’s about celebrating our challenges and triumphs, while educating others about our affliction. ‘Stronger Together’ encompasses finding your core team of people in life and sticking with them—your inner circle that has your back through thick and thin when life hits those rough patches.
“‘Stronger Together’ is a song that’s all about finding your support system—a place to belong,” relates vocalist ALYCE HAYES. “We’re all looking to connect with people who ‘get us,’ those who understand and support us through it all—our celebrations as well as our dark moments. I wanted the lyrics to remind people that they weren’t alone in their interests, their passions, or their dreams.”
AGAINST ALL ODDS will be released on October 31 via Lucent Records (UMG) and was produced by Chris Collier (Korn, Prong, KXM). The band premiered its lead single “Pulse of The Lost” featuring Suicide Silence guitarist Chris Garza in July which My Amp Music lauded as “a tidal wave of sonic ferocity,” stating “the track delivers hard-hitting guitar riffs, a pummeling backbeat and savage vocals.” THE MENDENHALL EXPERIMENT reunited with Mind Over Matter director Sebastian Paquet to direct its compelling music video seen HERE.
THE MENDENHALL EXPERIMENT have been seen on stages with metal mainstays including John 5, P.O.D., Alien Ant Farm, Kill Devil Hill, Fear Factory, Prong, Flaw, Metal Allegiance, Smile Empty Soul and Cold in addition to appearances at Aftershock Festival and Rocklahoma in recent years. Their self-titled debut EP was released in 2017 which included guest appearances from James “Munky” Shaffer (Korn) and Danny Lohner (NIN, A Perfect Circle). Its hit single “Seize The Day” received over 30k viewsand won “Video of the Year” at the 2015 LRT Music Video Awards the same yearMENDENHALL was named “Trailblazer of the Year” at the United Cerebral Palsy Los Angeles Art of Care annual event.
