Truth Decay

Truth Decay is the fifth studio album from the American alternative rock band, Hypnogaja. Released June 30, 2009 on Los Angeles-based independent label, Union State Records, it is the band's first concept album and contains thirteen songs, including "Welcome to the Future" and "Cellar Door," which feature cellist Richard Dodd of The Section Quartet (Decca/Universal).

A science fiction-tinged concept album, Truth Decay's songs revolve around the central story of a world's dramatic, apocalyptic end - and how life cycles into new chapters. Hypnogaja blogged extensively about the album's concept in the form of letters between characters, fictitious press releases from the album's futuristic world and illustrations/images outlining the story arc. Hypnogaja's keyboardist, Mark Nubar Donikian, said in an interview with AOL Noisecreep that the album's music is influenced by rock music of the 70s and 80s - bands like Queen and Blondie - and that the futuristic sound and themes were inspired by the band's fondness for science-fiction.

Truth Decay was written by vocalist Jason "ShyBoy" Arnold, Donikian, guitarist Jean-Yves "Jeeve" Ducornet and John Scott Mulchaey, a songwriter who regularly collaborates with Hypnogaja. Several months before the album's release, Hypnogaja launched a promotion campaign called 13 Weeks of Free Music during which they released a new song to fans weekly, along with accompanying blogs that unveiled the overall concept of the album. The band also produced a :30 album teaser trailer featuring scenes from “The March“ video, synced to the track “Dark Star: End Transmission.“ The day after its release, Hypnogaja fans posted the Truth Decay album for free download on numerous file-sharing, torrent sites and music blogs around the world.

The album cover art was illustrated by Kevin Grimm. The various paintings illustrate the the album's concept, telling the story of one world's end - and the dawn of a new one.

Three singles/EPs - "The March," "Apocalyptic Love Song" and "Worship Me (I'm On TV)" - were released before the album launch. Each one contains bonus materials (ie. unreleased b-sides, acoustic versions, extended versions).

The band has released two music videos from the album. “The March,“ directed by Nelson Cragg (CSI, 30 Days of Night: Blood Trails) and Marius A. Markevicius (The Last Supper, starring Eliza Dushku), and “Things Will Never Be The Same,“ a fan-made clip that features Barack Obama's election speech, Yes We Can.

Truth Decay was released to numerous positive reviews, including a 9 out of 10 star rating from Outburn Magazine, which noted it as an "expertly crafted album." Many publications noted the album's concept and rock opera-like structure. Njai Joszor of Examiner.com wrote that the album is "like a novel or play" where each song tells a piece of the story. Karen Bliss of AOL's Noisecreep.com wrote, "The 14-track recording (Truth Decay) centers on the world's dramatic, apocalyptic end and how life cycles into new chapters, sometimes with sudden force.'" Campus Circle cited it as "a high concept recording with a story arc about star-crossed lovers in a futuristic world where apocalypse and rebirth are looming." Erica Ramon of Hits Daily Double wrote, "ONE TO WATCH - a multifaceted band out of Hollywood that is quickly gaining steam."

Here is a complete track listing:

1. "Dark Star" (4:37)
2. "The March" (3:54)
3. "Apocalyptic Love Song" (4:52)
4. "Worship Me (I'm On TV)" (3:27)
5. "Welcome To The Future" (4:04)
6. "Things Will Never Be The Same" (4:07)
7. "Kill The Humans" (4:00)
8. "Static" (4:01)
9. "Lucy" (4:18)
10. "Never Coming Back" (3:57)
11. "Last Man On Earth" (4:47)
12. "Rusty Moon" (4:25)
13. "Dark Star: End Transmission" (1:15)
14. "Cellar Door" (4:16)