Charlotte’s music scene is proud to unveil the latest creation from one of its most talented bands. “Let Our Violins be Heard,” released on Oct. 22 under Tragic Hero Records (Chapel Hill, N.C.), is the third CD from the metalcore band Scapegoat.

Scapegoat consists of Kit Walters (vocals), Justin Driscoll (guitar), Spencer Bensch (guitar and backing vocals), Dan Royer (bass and backing screams) and Dan Hitzelberger (drums). The band takes a serious approach to their music, while laughing through the experiences they encounter together.

Based out of Charlotte, the group formed in 1999 with Driscoll, Royer and Hitzelberger. At a summer music camp, Walters was added to the group and in 2004 Bensch completed the group. With many influences ranging from Justin Timberlake to Tool’s Maynard James Kennan, two of their major influences include the Deftones and Nirvana.

Setting themselves apart from the miasma of rock bands, the band also stuck to their original and short name, reminiscent of band names of yesteryear (Hatebreed, Earth Crisis, In Flames). “It expresses more nowadays; how we are treated by many elitist ‘scenesters’ and people who do not understand the business behind running a band,” Driscoll said.

Following “These Cards We’re Dealt” (2004), Scapegoat wrote a lot of new songs for their next CD. “We never stop writing. We just needed to get it all out of our system,” Driscoll said. “We are also sick of bands charging you (customers) full price for 10 songs or a half hour of music.”

Concerning the content of the CD, senior Devin Rosenthal said “It’s very diverse; they stay true to their sound.”

Choosing the Indie label Tragic Hero Records to release the new CD, Scapegoat joins bands with large followings (Alesana and Your Name in Vain) without having to leave the comforts of family, friends and sticking close to home.

With their new CD out, Scapegoat released a video for the second track (“After Class with Mrs. Brown”) which can be viewed through the Web site www.sgoat.com.

Along with the video, the Web site has information on their tours, full band biographies, pictures and news. In addition, the site offers links to sample their songs, the band’s online store as well as links to Tragic Hero Records and Myspace.com. Check Scapegoat out, or miss out on one of North Carolina’s best kept secrets and most promising bands.