Zac's Top Ten of 2013

I don't care much for Bruce Springsteen... however he had some killer tunes, especially The Seeger Sessions. Here are my favorite releases of 2013.

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Preferred EPs:

Katla: I Will Hunt You / Foaming Waters

Surprise, surprise, surprise! More great music from Sweden. This female lead quartet seduced me with their acid blues influenced dark psych. I Will Hunt You and Foaming Waters was released on a special 7" by Who Can You Trust? Records. They only pressed 500 copies, so if you missed out earlier this year you may be S.O.L. Be sure to check Who Can You Trust? Records web-store for this one and a hand-ful of other Heavy Planet favorites.

Stand-out track: Foaming Waters

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The Wans: The Wans EP

My second Preferred EP of 2013 belongs to Nashville Tennessee's The Wans. My love for this trios Tenneessee brethern, All Them Witches, blessed me with an introduction to this "feel good" / get your rocks off EP. Don't miss my favorite track Want You with all its southern swagger and rhythmic wandering.

Stand-out track: Want You

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Favorite Full-Length Releases:

010: Black Sabbath - 13

It's Black Sabbath. Tony's still got it.

Stand-out track: Age Of Reason

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009: Supervoid: Filaments

Sometimes the city of Pittsburgh might be guilty of displaying too much pride. I try to be humble for the most part, but I can proudly proclaim musical victory for this city with Supervoid and their progressive, sludge-tastic release Filaments. Releasing a conceptual, "interstellar road trip" of a metal album earlier this year Supervoid are off to an epic start. My apologizies to lead vocalist Brian for describing his performance on Wake of the Smoke Jumper in my write-up earlier this year as female vocals. That is just how dynamic this man's vocal abilities are though folks.

Stand-out track: Wake of the Smoke Jumper

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008: Cavern: S/T

I warned you. Cavern would rear its ugly head come years end and here we are. This authentic release full of sludgy thrashing has stood the test of time and continually battered my ears senseless. I'll show no remorse if you have yet to lend your ears to this Maryland trio and their RIFF lashing.

Stand-out track: Far Beyond Fields and Evergreens

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007: Summoner: Atlantian

Summoner is the first band to land on my year end list two years in a row. Last year's Pheonix was well rounded and full of stoner and desert rock and haunting, psychedelic fuzz. Atlantian takes the genius that was Pheonix and enhances the formula. Take the Nuclear Dog's words, here you will find "polished psych-edged licks of ingenuity" and "raw-boned riffs". Check out the rest of the review for a better idea of what awaits on Atlantian.

Stand-out track: Under the Crystalline Sky

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006: Clutch: Earth Rocker

Earth Rocker simply kicks ass. An all out attack of blues inspired rock and roll fronted by some of the best vocals, defended by some of the grooviest guitar work, and founded on some of the best rhythmic percussion in the business. "If you're gonna do it, you better take it to the stage."

Stand-out tracks: D.C. Sound Attack!, The Face, The Wolf Man Kindly Requests...

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005: Black Wizard: Young Wisdom

The under-dog of 2013 lands at my number five spot. As I described earlier this year... Black Wizard are "like a sleazier, Nordic version of Guns 'N Roses" that rock blazing guitars accompanied by a rhythmic cavalry. Here new listeners will find raw vocals, blistering RIFFS, and even some spacey Radiohead-esque interludes. If you missed Young Wisdom upon its release back in June, now is the time to familiarize yourself with Adam Grant and company and their debut full-length Young Wisdom.

Stand-out track: Wicked Wanderer

*For those readers that truly dug Black Wizard, please check out Adam's other project Three Wolf Moon.

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004: Anciients: Heart Of Oak

There is so much to say about Heart Of Oak... the excellent progression and transformation of each track, the completely killer blackened-death like vocals, the strike of each drum head or cymbal strike, the intracate and yet groovy RIFFs, the bluesy Gilmour meets Allman picking! What an excellent release! Kenny Cook and the gang have out-done themselves with Heart Of Oak and Anciients first release.

Stand-out tracks: Overthrone, For Lisa

*Kenny is also a part of our number five spot Black Wizard. That is beyond groovy.

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003: Pelican: Forever Becoming

I completely fell in love with this album the moment my eyes graced the album artwork. Could I be considered a Pelican fan-boy. I guess so. But how is that a bad thing? Forever Becoming is simply another phenomenal release by the best instrumental band. Period. Will you always be in the mood for albums of this magnitude? Probably not. Will you always walk away with a new impression or new ideas after experiencing a piece of art so authentic? Most certainly. Pelican rules. Welcome to the show Dallas.

Stand-out track: Perpetual Dawn

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002: All Them Witches: Lightning At The Door

Still full of that vibrant southern soul All Them Witches produce their very own Psyche-a-delta Rock with immense confidence and swagger. Mr. Staebler's drumming genius has only grown in skill and charisma while the infectious RIFFING will keep you coming back for more. If I might take a line from my favorite track Charles William, "I wanna take you home... everyday.".

Stand-out track: Charles William

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001: Kylesa: Ultraviolet

I've really grown with Kylesa in their past three releases. Ultraviolet hit me hard upon first spin and has stuck with me throughout all of 2013. These guys and gal, "display their full mainpulation of sonic frequency" here on Ultraviolet and do it with class in a sub-five-minute dark pop, dream sludge tone. I knew this was my favorite album of 2013 immediately, I don't even think album opener Exhale was half way through its three minute run time when I realized it. The quintet have recorded an album that grows in experimentation as it does with time. New to the sound are some spacey psychedelics and Ms. Pleasants totally lovely clean vocals. Something you may be familiar with... the tribal and unchaining sound of Carl McGinley and Eric Hernandez's dual percussion.

Stand-out tracks: Exhale, We're Taking This

Zac's "Double Dose": HALMOS / Kylesa

 

HALMOS: Exist 

This week's Double Dose covers the vast array of musical genres we love and promote here at Heavy Planet... Doom, check. Psychedelic, check. Sludge, check. And last, but certainly not least, Stoner Rock, check and double check. What could be better? How about the fact that both bands are Georgia based, rich with that southern sludge flowing through their veins. This is stacking up to be one of the mightiest 'Doses the 'Planet has conjured. So, enough of this pussyfootin' shuffle, lets get to the music. 

Reg introduced us to HALMOS last year as a NBTBOT. As newcomers to the game HALMOS had their work cut out for them. Shaping their doom-laden sludge as a duo proved effective, however the dudes wanted the crust of the earth to waiver and shake beneath them, opening the gates to the mantle and giving way to a sea of liquid magma. HALMOS have achieved their desired goal by redefining their very anatomy. Having now added another guitarist and a bass player HALMOS' sound is full, complete. With four-horsemen in saddle HALMOS refined some old stuff, created some new stuff and produced Exist. Still driving each track is a doom-paced march, steadily craving away sea and earth. No folks, we hardly break into a gallop in Exist. Trodding along decimating everything in its path Exist grows with immense distortion and something rare... all four musician's vocals. This could be a stumbling block for some, but HALMOS excel and add a new depth to the southern sludge scene with this characteristic. Be sure to spin my favorite track Outcry below. Packed with intelligent percussion and a tribal flair, Outcry is one of the few tracks that speed things up and implements a dynamic range of vocalization and timing. Lastly, check out the upcoming HALMOS tour dates this summer here and support them by pickin' up a copy Exist at bandcamp.

Members: 

Casey Yarbrough - Guitar // Vocals 

Corey Briley - Guitar // Vocals 

Melanie Maher - Bass // Vocals 

Travis Anderson - Drums // Vocals

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Kylesa: Ultraviolet 

Wake up! Breathe in! Exhale! Initiate dream sequence. Welcome to the conception of Kylesa's latest album, fittingly named Ultraviolet. Wasting absolutely no time in announcing Ultraviolet as their own, Kylesa's first track, Exhale, stomps with that signature percussive heavy sound. For those readers unfamiliar with the Georgia progressive mud-slingers, its time to crawl out from your cave. Kylesa are one of the most dynamic five-pieces to hit the metal scene... the music scene. Period. Ultraviolet is their sixth full length release and follow-up to the totally excellent 2010 release Spiral Shadow. Brandishing a more progressive rock tone with Spiral Shadow, Kylesa began redefining the Georgia-sludge genre that they helped established. Rather than regressing Kylesa have continued to challenge their creative core (and that of their fans) and construct something authentic from the black and white sludge canvas they started with some ten years ago. Kylesa have transitioned to a gray scale, adding magnitudes of depth and texture, with the releases Static Tension and Spiral Shadow. Finally, with the delivery of Ultraviolet Kylesa display their full manipulation of sonic frequency, creating what I would like to call the cosmic technicolor orchestra. Much more psychedelic sounding, huh? That's exactly what I found on Ultraviolet. 

The new dynamics Kylesa has bred into their sound level the playing field, very similar to what Baroness did last year with Yellow & Green. Also similar to Yellow & Green, I discovered as Ultraviolet plays each track becomes a bit more experimental, a bit different from the initial sound we were introduced to, leaving the musicians vulnerable, baring everything. [Please do not take this as a direct comparison to Baroness, I don't mean it to be.]   All this bodes well for a group of musicians who remain flexible and versatile in this chaotic and ever changing landscape. One thing that Kylesa doesn't change is the victorious uproar that two drummers can create. Take one of my favorite tracks Long Gone. Immediately noticeable is the dual drumming and its prominence in the mix. Long Gone meanders gently until the one minute thirty second mark where everything disappears from the mix except the tribal beat from Carl McGinley and Eric Hernandez. The guitars quietly enter again followed by Laura Pleasants' lovely voice, giving Long Gone a dark pop-touch. There is a magnetic force about Laura Pleasants here on Ultraviolet compared to past releases. She has always had that grab you by the balls allure, but now the auditory combination of her raw aggression and elegant beauty produce a mysterious attraction that will pull all music lovers deeper into the Kylesa sphere. Low Tide is another step towards vulnerability for the band. Here influences from eighties shoegaze and pop shine brighter, as well as the overall psychedelic mood. Low Tide create a drowning feeling and Laura enchants with dreamy vocals leaving listeners very comfortable while Phillip Cope encourages with the lyrics, "It's not the end." Vulture's Landing promptly follows up with a more familar Kylesa sound. The bass and percussion grind away at the clock while heavy, southern inspired RIFFS press us forward. Laura's vocals again surface in that same dreamy sense although now in with more foreboding tone. 

In a recent review Coverkiller Nation coined the description Dream Sludge while speaking about Ultraviolet. I like that and think its a fitting description for this new wave release from one of Georgia's finest and most talented. Implementing the right elements from psychedelic, pop, progressive, and shoegaze styles Kylesa have illustrated themselves not only in technicolor and ultraviolet but also infrared and any wave length your nerdy metal-mind can concoct. Pick up your copy now from Seasons of Mist or your favorite retailer.

Members: 

Carl McGinley - Drums 

Chase Rudeseal - Bass 

Eric Hernandez - Drums 

Laura Pleasants - Vocals // Guitar 

Phillip Cope - Vocals // Guitar // Theremin

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Zac's "Double Dose": Howl / Tar Halos

 

Howl: Bloodlines 

Howl are a five piece band from Rhode Island who have transformed the sub-conscious brain waves that our meager minds use to create nightmares into sound-waves... burdened, doom-laden, sludgy sound-waves. This isn't Howl's first rodeo though, they released a respectable full length LP (with some of the best cover art ever) a few years ago entitled Full Of Hell. If you aren't familar with that release, now is the time to check it out. Why? Because the Rhode Island boys will be releasing their sophomore follow up at the end of April, entitled Bloodlines, and this will give you, as a listener, just enough time to become familar with what Howl has done and where they are headed. 

Immediately upon pushing play I realize that Bloodlines is a completely new, faster paced, monster that has grown apart from Full Of Hell. Howl certainly have changed their style, everything is more extreme, although not necessarily heavier. You see, to this listener, Full Of Hell had an ancient, medieval, dark ages sort of feel... stones, fire and brimstone style of heavy (which I greatly enjoyed, Full Of Hell was on my Top 2010 list). Bloodlines blasts through those stones from ages ago with the intensity of a mechanized weapon. I guess the guys have departed from the classic doom end of the spectrum and reinforced with doses of thrash, groove and even some blackend metal. Don't let this shy you away from Bloodlines though, Howl stay RIFF-centric. I believe that Howl's dedicated touring schedule with some killer new wave metal bands (Black Tusk, Kylesa, Red Fang and Skeletonwitch) have strongly influenced the Rhode Island quintet aiding in their evolution to Bloodlines. In place of that archaic sound is a clean and clear production. The percussion side has added blast beats to the foregoing ancestral tone and the vocals are more wretched and more angry. So, there you have it a fresh, fast, and scary extreme release from a band that's not afraid to step outside of their box. Check out their lyrical video for Attrition below and if interested Relapse is taking pre-orders here.

 

Members: 

Jesse - Bass 

Jonathan - Guitar 

Josh - Guitar 

Timmy - Drums 

Vincent - Vocals // Guitar

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Tar Halos: Winehand 

This weeks second dose, Tar Halos, are a heavily psychedelic, rock band, whom with the power of disconcerting lyrical passages, harken back to the Syd Barrett days of Pink Floyd. The five-piece call San Diego head-quarters and prefer "old drum machines over young drummers". This becomes plainly noticeable through Winehand. The beat of the percussion and overall electronic nature build an oxymoronic vibe of despondent ecstasy. My favorite track is Arrival of the Second Center Moon, be sure to listen below. The track is immediate, as if your conscience is roused to the chaos of a blasting alarm at the moment your space-craft is losing pressure through a tremendous hole in its hull. This is the track I find the greatest correlation to old 'Floyd's cosmic poetry. The alarm continues to alter your thought process throughout the entire song while a steady beat of percussion inflame a bravery within the depths of your soul. The vocals are buried and glazed over giving the track a truly '60s psych vibe and the guitars have a deserted and arid tone creating a confusing sensation. Quite the unique and excellent track... Quite the unique and excellent album. Get a copy from Volar Records or download at bandcamp and be sure to check out Volar's video for Broken Clocks here.

Members: 

Frank Melendez - Guitars // Vocals // Drums

Jay Margart - Keys // Vocals // Drums 

Josh Bohannon - Guitar // Drums 

Joshua Quon - Bass // Drums 

Tyler Detwieler

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Bison BC - Lovelessness

Fact of strangeness: Bison antiquus was an animal hunted by paleo-indian peoples in the Rocky Mountains.
Now it's a group of long-haired sludge-rockers from Vancouver. Their 4th album titled "Lovelessness" is another triumphant terrorizing doom romp. The album explores alternative textures as well as conventional doom and sludge subtexts, and sublty interjects a bit of hardcore on top!

1."An Old Friend"- The overlying harmony creates an atmosphere almost reminiscent of Fall of Troy, but quickly devolves into High on Fire territory with bombastic axe-cutting riffage. A twist on the Savannah-style sludge indeed. The piece features shouted, aggressive hardcore style vocals as well as 2 thick mid-rangey guitars panned hard left and right respectively. The drums are spaced whilst the bass is panned dead-center.

2."Anxiety Puke - Lovelessness"- Opening with a fast paced demonic punk feel and devolving into a total doom fiesta. It slams you with the maiden-style harmonies and HoF style battle axe riffs. Its length allows the track to fall into grandiose dissonant riffs before hitting into 6/8 death-march viciousness!

3. "Last and first things"- The cliched ambient noise followed by seriously aggressive doom riffs. The influence of that Savannah style can be heard once again with punctuated, tribal repetitive riffage.

4."Blood Music"- The longest track on the album. The track suffers from length do to quantity of riffs rather than truly expressing one elongated idea. It fluctuates between doom and sludge riffs, all of intense pounding quality, It does have a couple distinctive harmonized guitar lines however.

5. "Clozapine Dream"- The shortest track of the record. An emphasis on the 80s hardcore-style vocals is found. Quick, sludgy, and reminiscent of Kylesa.

6."Finally Asleep"- 70s doom meets 80s thrash. Nasty melodic lines mark the intro however, it devolves eventually into a pounding thrash rhythm the intro is recapitulated later. I cannot express further how epic the guitars intermingling on this track sounds.

Overall the record does not hold up to the prowess Bison launched with Dark Ages or Quiet Earth in terms of its innovation. The band does manage to make a solid and tight record, however, they should consider staying away with the more popular sludge convention. They really shine with their mastery of thrash incorporation, and should focus on exploiting their boundless energy.

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New Band To Burn One To: COMPEL

HEAVY PLANET presents...COMPEL!

BAND BIO:

Compel is a two piece Swamp Doom band from Summerville South Carolina (just outside Charleston SC). Compel consists of myself (Joe Horne) on guitar and Tim Davis on the kit. We write instrumental songs inspired by legendary and crytozoological creatures and paranormal theories or anything we are interested in really. We formed two years ago via a craigslist ad when I was unable to find other doom musicians, Tim answered and we have been together ever since. We have managed to record our first EP with three songs which runs around 41 minutes. All engineering and production credit is given to Jay Matheson (worked with Phil Cope on Baroness, Fight Amp, Kylesa and Dark Castle recordings) of the Jam Room Studio (Columbia SC). We are going to be touring/playing many shows across the southeastern US over the next few months so hopefully we make some noise and stir up the doom community a bit. Hopefully our tunes intrigue the thought process, listen loud and enjoy the ride.


THOUGHTS:

"If this is your first foray into what would be called Swamp Doom, then you might as well start things off right with this muddied two-piece monster from the swamps of South Carolina known as Compel. Heightened by the brilliant production of Jay Matheson, this all-instrumental band takes you on a harrowing and ridiculously fuzzy trek filled with an abundance of caked-on riffing, drowsy tempos and gratifying intensity. As with many instrumental bands that play off one riff, which may lend to a lack of interest, Compel does a tremendous job at pushing the envelope by using different guitar effects, well-placed tempo-changes, and an insane amount of murkiness, this new EP makes for a compelling (sorry had to do it) and overall aural bulldozing."  

((facebook|bandcamp))

Heavy Planet Podcast Episode #09: Girls Wanna Rock

This month the Heavy Planet Podcast treats your ears to some of the finest female-fronted bands the world has to offer. The bands represented here run the gammut from Occult Doom Rock to Horrific Sludge Metal. This is just a sampling of the many bands out there that deserve your attention. Missing from the podcast are progressive sludge stalwarts Kylesa (female vocals on some songs), enigmatic doom metal merchants Bloody Panda, doom duo Dark Castle, and I'm sure there are many others. But I know one thing is for damn sure, these ladies just want to rock!

Tune in this Sunday on Grip of Delusion Radio from 4:00 PM EST to 6:00 PM EST to hear what all the commotion is about.

Acid King-Teen Dusthead
Witch Mountain-End Game
Alunah-Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn
Windhand-Black Candles
Black Math Horseman-Origin of Savagery
Undersmile-Crab People
Black Moth-Blackbirds Fall
Thorr's Hammer-Dommedagsnatt
Blood Ceremony-Children of the Future
The Devil's Blood-Christ or Cocaine
SubRosa-Strega
Castle-Blacklands
Stake-Off the Witch-Deep Inside of Me
Spacegoat-Silver Swamp
Hijos De Mayo-Silence Unsaid
Siena Root-Nightstalker
Ides of Gemini-Starless Midnight
Royal Thunder-Mouth of Fire
Jess and the Ancient Ones-White Witch of Rose Hall
Rituals of the Oak-On the Sixth Moon
Misdemeanor-Mastery
Salome-Black Tides
Jex Thoth-Warrior Woman

LISTEN

CD Review: Kylesa-Spiral Shadow

Kylesa-Spiral Shadows

by Zac Boda

First and foremost, I must apologize for the delay in this review. I have been very busy and almost forgot about how important music actually is to me. Enough of this mushy mumbo-jumbo. Ahh, Kylesa; one of the great Georgia swamp rock bands. If you are not familiar with Kylesa, now is a good time. This band could possibly bring swamp rock/metal to the mainstream with track five, “Don’t Look Back”. Let’s hope not, we would not want all the little Disturbed and Shinedown fans getting their hands on a jewel like this! (I apologize if I insult any listeners of the above mentioned bands; this is only my opinion and hope to get a laugh out of it).

I must emphasize the rock, this album is much more rock, progressive rock, than past releases. Do not take this negatively; this album is fantastic from the first note to the last. There are still many noticeable “metal” riffs and vocals. I personally love the intro song “Tired Climb” it is excellent all around. I also think everyone will love the dual drummers / percussionists (especially on “Drop Out”). This dual drumming makes for a tribal vibe for some of the songs. It will make the hair on the back of your neck stand. As I stated earlier, “Don’t Look Back” could be heard on public radio, it is a very main stream sounding song. Saying that, it is still one of my favorite songs on Spiral Shadow.

When Reg and I first spoke about this album (many moons ago) I said, “This album is what Baroness’ Blue Record was to me last year.” Basically meaning that this is the greatest album I’ve heard from said band. Reg stuck with “Static Tensions” was still his personal favorite from Kylesa. After further listen to Spiral Shadow, I do completely agree with him. Spiral Shadow is still worth your ten to fifteen dollars, go get it!

Spiral Shadow you get a 4.5 out of 5!

Members: Phillip Cope (Guitar/Vox), Laura Pleasants (Guitar/Vox), Carl McGinley (Drums), Corey Barhorst (Bass/Keyboards), Tyler Newberry (Drums)



MySpace|Website |Facebook|Last.fm|Amazon

Kylesa Join Mastodon For Forthcoming Tour; New Album Out Mar. 17

Kylesa, the co-ed psych-sludge quintet from Savannah , will join Mastodon for their forthcoming tour launching Apr. 10 in Birmingham, Alabama.

Static Tensions, the band’s new album which is set for a Mar. 17 release on Prosthetic Records, is already earning high praise with Revolver awarding it four stars and adding that the new set features the “sweetest and sunniest hooks of their career." Decibel Magazine has given the record a 9 out of 10 rating and remarked that it’s the group’s best release to date.

Pre-order details for the album can be found on both on Kylesa’s MySpace page (myspace.com/kylesa) and at Prostheticrecords.com. The pre-order special includes a limited edition t-shirt and CD for $20.

Static Tensions’ artwork was created by Baroness’ John Dyer Baizley and was produced by the band’s own Phillip Cope (Baroness, Withered). A vinyl edition will be released the same day on 20 Buck Spin.

Dates below w/Mastodon (except where denoted by "*" or "**" as outlined below):

Apr. 10 - Birmingham, AL - Workplay Theater
Apr. 11 - New Orleans, LA - House of Blues
Apr. 13 - Lawrence, KS - Granada Theater
Apr. 14 - Boulder, CO - Fox Theatre
Apr. 15 - Albuquerque, NM - Launchpad
Apr. 16 - Phoenix, AZ - Martini Ranch
Apr. 17 - Los Angeles, CA - The Echoplex *
Apr. 18 - Santa Cruz, CA - Santa Cruz Veteran's Hall **
Apr. 19 - San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
Apr. 21 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theatre
Apr. 22 - Seattle, WA - Neumo's
Apr. 23 - Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom
Apr. 24 - Calgary, AB - MacEwen Ballroom
Apr. 25 - Edmonton, AB - Starlite Ballroom
Apr. 26 - Saskatoon, SK - The Odeon
Apr. 28 - Winnipeg, MB - The Garrick
Apr. 29 - Minneapolis, MN - Fine Line Music Hall
Apr. 30 - Chicago, IL - Metro
May 1 - Pontiac, MI - Crofoot Ballroom
May 2 - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom
May 3 - Buffalo, NY - Club Diablo **
May 4 - Montreal, QC - Le National
May 5 - Toronto, ON - Opera House
May 6 - Ithaca, NY - The Haunt **
May 7 - Boston, MA - House of Blues
May 8 - Philadelphia, PA - TLA
May 9 - New York, NY - Fillmore @ Irving Plaza
May 10 - Brooklyn, NY - Music Hall of Williamsburg
May 11 - Baltimore, MD - Talking Head **
May 12 - Washington DC - 9:30 Club
May 13 - Carbarro, NC - Cat's Cradle
May 14 - Asheville, NC - Orange Peel
May 15 - Atlanta, GA - Center Stage

* - w/Intronaut & Made Out of Babies

** - w/Intronaut

At SXSW:

March 20 – Austin , TX – Red 7 (SXSW Tone Deaf Touring Showcase)

Dates below w/Skeletonwitch

March 13 – Charlotte, NC – The Milestone
March 14 – Johnson City , TN – The Hideaway
March 15 – Nashville , TN – The Muse
March 16 – Little Rock , AR – Downtown Music
March 17 – Memphis , TN – Hi-Tone Cafe
March 18 – Dallas , TX – Club Dada
March 19 – San Antonio , TX – Rock Bottom Tattoo Bar
March 20 – Austin , TX – Red 7 (SXSW Tone Deaf Touring Showcase)
March 21 – Houston , TX – Rudyard's
March 22 – New Orleans , LA – Candle Factory
March 23 - Tallahassee, FL - Big Daddy's
March 24 – Tampa , FL – Brass Mug
March 25 – Savannah , GA – The Jinx
March 26 – Wilmington , NC – Lucky’s Pub
March 27 – Asheville , NC – Rocket Club

KYLESA: New Song, Album Artwork Posted Online

A new KYLESA song, "Said And Done", is available for streaming on the band's MySpace page. The track comes off the Savannah group's forthcoming album, "Static Tensions", whch is scheduled for release on March 17 via Prosthetic Records.

"'Said and Done' was the first song we wrote for 'Static Tensions' and has a little bit of everything that can be heard on the album. We think it is a good introduction," explains guitarist/vocalist Laura Pleasants.

The "Static Tensions" artwork was created by BARONESS' John Dyer Baizley and can be seen below. Guitarist/vocalist Phillip Cope produced the CD, which was recorded at the Jam Room in Columbia, South Carolina. He stated about the group's mindset during the making of the new album, "It was definitely a lot more thought out. We have the hindsight of some of the mistakes we've made in the past, so we were able to avoid making them again on this record. I think we came away from the experience with our best stuff yet."

Added guitarist/vocalist Laura Pleasants: "All of our records sound pretty different, but with the same core vibe or sound, and I think the new record has our core KYLESA sound, but branches out even more to incorporate more of our rock and psychedelic influences."

"Static Tensions" track listing:

01. Scapegoat
02. Insomnia For Months
03. Said and Done
04. Unknown Awareness
05. Running Red
06. Nature's Predators
07. Almost Lost
08. Only One
09. Perception
10. To Walk Alone

Metal Maniacs checked in with Cope while he was in the studio tracking KYLESA's new album for an interview in the February issue. Excerpts follow.

Metal Maniacs: This is the second KYLESA record you've produced thus far. Can you give us some tech-y details about it?

Phillip Cope: It's on Prosthetic and recorded at the Jam Room. I'm credited as the producer but [drummer] Carl [McGinely] and three engineers from the studio helped as well. I just oversaw the whole thing. The Jam Room has got an A and a B studio. We recorded in both at the same time. It was a real massive ordeal. Scott Hull is mastering it right now.

Metal Maniacs: What was it like recording two drummers? It looks like you tracked them at the same time.

Phillip Cope: That's pretty much it. We didn't worry about bleed. It was important for those guys to be able to see and hear each other really well. We didn't use a click track at all. We originally started to record live with all of us, but they decided they could play tighter without us, that we were actually messing them up [laughs]. So they just went for it and played through the whole album together.

Metal Maniacs: How long did it take record the album?

Phillip Cope: We were off and on for a while. I would say we spent about 20 days tracking. We really took our time with this one. Prosthetic has been really cool about it, not forcing us into crunch times with dates. We pretty much had it done, got on tour, had some time to reflect and came back to the studio. I think that helped a lot. Before we'd always get it done, send it off and wish we'd changed something later. This time we tightened up guitar solos or vocal parts that we'd let be sloppier in the past. It's definitely the tightest KYLESA record we've ever done. We're not technical tight, but you know, tight for us.

Metal Maniacs: And how did vocals go?

Phillip Cope: Laura [Pleasants] and I gave each other more space on this one. Before we'd try to sing on top of each other and off of each other. There are songs where both of us sing, but for some it's just Laura and some it's just me, which is the first time we've done that on a record.

Metal Maniacs: You've produced several bands including BARONESS and WITHERED. Do things differ when you produce your own band?

Phillip Cope: I'm a lot busier when working with a band I'm in [laughs]. It's more stressful, but I got a lot of help. I listened to a lot of people's opinions along the way.

The February 2009 issue of Metal Maniacs goes on sale January 27.

For more information, visit www.metalmaniacs.com.

KYLESA’S STATIC TENSIONS, SET FOR MAR. 17 RELEASE ON PROSTHETIC; TOUR DATES WITH THE HAUNTED THIS SPRING

Kylesa’s eagerly anticipated new album, Static Tensions, is set for a Mar. 17 via Prosthetic Records and will be quickly followed by the Apr. 2 launch of a nationwide tour alongside The Haunted at Pomona, Calif.’s Glass House.

Guitarist/vocalist Phillip Cope produced Static Tensions, which was recorded at the Jam Room in Columbia , S.C. Discussing the mindset behind the new album, “It was definitely a lot more thought out. We have the hindsight of some of the mistakes we’ve made in the past, so we were able to avoid making them again on this record. I think we came away from the experience with our best stuff yet.”

“All of our records sound pretty different, but with the same core vibe or sound, and I think the new record has our core Kylesa sound, but branches out even more to incorporate more of our rock and psychedelic influences,” adds guitarist/vocalist Laura Pleasants.

With artwork done by Baroness’ John Dyer Baizley, Static Tensions will also see a simultaneous vinyl release on 20 Buck Spin.

Static Tensions track listing:

01. Scapegoat
02. Insomnia For Months
03. Said and Done
04. Unknown Awareness
05. Running Red
06. Nature’s Predators
07. Almost Lost
08. Only One
09. Perception
10. To Walk Alone

Tour dates:

Dates below w/Amebix:



Jan. 29 New York , NY The Bowery Ballroom
30 Providence , RI AS220
31 Philadelphia , PA Starlite Theater

Japanese tour dates:

Feb. 06 Nagoya Huck Finn
07 Tokyo Earthdom
08 Tokyo TBA
11 Gifu 51
13 Fukuoka Graf
14 Yamaguchi Club Squad
15 Osaka Club Drop

Dates below w/The Haunted, Nachtmystium & Intronaut:

April 02 Pomona , CA The Glass House
03 Los Angeles , CA Key Club
04 San Francisco , CA Slim’s
05 Portland , OR Hawthorne Theater
06 Seattle , WA Neumo’s
07 Vancouver , BC Commodore Ballroom
08 Edmonton , AB The Starlite Room
09 Calgary , AB The Warehouse
11 Winnipeg , MB Royal Albert
12 St. Paul , MN Station 4
13 Mokena , IL The Pearl Room
14 Detroit , MI The Majestic Theatre
15 Toronto , ON Opera House
16 Montreal , QC Club Soda
17 Worcester , MA The Palladium
19 New York , NY B.B. King’s
21 Millvale, PA Mr. Smalls
22 W. Springfield , VA Jaxx
23 Raleigh , NC Volume 11 Tavern
24 Atlanta , GA The Masquerade

KYLESA Complete New Album, Plot Japanese Tour

The Savannah, Georgia-based KYLESA, who recently finished recording
their fourth studio album, will tour Japan for the first time early
next year. The seven-show trek will correspond with the official
Japanese release of the band's acclaimed 2006 album, "Time Will Fuse
Its Worth," on Red Cobalt Industries. Additional information about the
limited-edition release, which features new artwork and packaging, can
be found on the band's MySpace page (www.myspace.com/kylesa).

Before heading to Japan, KYLESA will perform three shows alongside crust
legends Amebix. The band's complete list of upcoming tour dates is
below.

Prosthetic plans to release KYLESA's new album, named one of Decibel
Magazine's "Top 25 Most Anticipated of '09," in March. Spring touring
details will be revealed soon.

KYLESA on tour:

1/29 Bowery Ballroom - New York, NY (w/ Amebix)
1/30 AS220 - Providence, RI (w/ Amebix)
1/31 Starlite Theater - Philadelphia, PA (w/ Amebix)
2/6 Huck Finn - Nagoya, Japan
2/7 Earthdom - Tokyo, Japan
2/8 TBA - Tokyo, Japan
2/11 51 - Gifu, Japan
2/13 Graf - Fukuoka, Japan
2/14 Club Squad - Yamaguchi, Japan
2/15 Club Drop - Osaka, Japan

KYLESA To Enter Studio Next Week

Savannah's KYLESA has issued the following update:

"We've been writing a new record over the past few months and we're about to head to the Jam Room studio on Monday to begin tracking. We're excited to record a new album since it's been two years since we recorded 'Time Will Fuse its Worth'. It's hard to believe it's been that long! The CD will be released on Prosthetic Records in early 2009 and the vinyl version will come out around the same time. Phillip [Cope; guitar, vocals] will be producing the record. We'll send a few updates and photos from the studio.

"In other record news, Red Cobalt Industries is producing a very limited alternate CD version of 'Time Will Fuse its Worth' for a Japanese release. The packaging was totally re-designed by Laura [Pleasants; guitar, vocals] and is loaded with extra things including a poster of the 'Double Skull' tee shirt design by John Baizley and a sticker by Santos. It will be a sort of matchbook digipack with lovely foil stamping and metallic inks. It should be in production very soon. We'll keep you updated. Once released, we plan on touring Japan for the first time ever. We are very excited about this! We'll be playing shows with BIRUSHANAH, COFFINS and a couple other great bands. We'll let you know once everything is confirmed."

KYLESA's "Hollow Severer" video:

KYLESA Frontwoman Reveals Her "Most Prized Pieces Of Vinyl"

KYLESA frontwoman Laura Pleasants recently shared her "top 5 most prized pieces of vinyl" with Decibel magazine via the publication's online blog, The Deciblog. The piece, which covering Laura's top five vinyl possessions, along with those that narrowly didn't make the cut, can be found at this location.

KYLESA is currently working on the follow-up to 2006's "Time Will Fuse Its Worth" while also gearing up for dates alongside Germany's THE OCEAN and LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR, as well as a week-long stint with WITHERED. KYLESA will also appear at this year's installment of Indianapolis' annual Dude Fest in June.

Tokyo-based label Red Cobalt Industries will release the Japanese/Australian edition of KYLESA's "Time Will Fuse Its Worth". This edition will be made available on the heels of KYLESA's European tour with BARONESS and scheduled for release this month.

Originally released on Prosthetic Records in the U.S., the Japanese/Australian edition of "Time Will Fuse Its Worth" will be released as a matte-finish digipack with a completely different artwork layout. The forthcoming release will contain bonus material and see a limited pressing of 1,000 copies worldwide.

KYLESA to embark on tour with The Ocean, Withered, Lair of The Minotaur

Savannah’s KYLESA will be embarking on a co-headlining tour in May with Germany’s The Ocean in May and early June. Also on the tour will be Lair of The Minotaur and KYLESA’s Prosthetic Records labelmates WITHERED. KYLESA continues to support 2006’s "Time Will Fuse Its Worth", which recently sent the band to Europe alongside fellow Georgians Baroness. WITHERED, meanwhile, will be supporting the band’s forthcoming release, ‘Folie Circulaire,’ which is currently slated for release in June. The effort is currently being recorded by Phillip Cope (Baroness, Kylesa, Black Tusk).

KYLESA on tour

5/22 Raleigh, NC – Volume 11 (with Withered)
5/23 Philadelphia, PA – Millcreek Tavern (with Disfear, Thrones)

(with The Ocean, Lair of the Minotaur, Withered)
5/24 Boston, MA – Church of Boston
5/25 Wallingford, CT – Cherry Street Station
5/26 New York, NY – Knitting Factory
5/27 Cleveland, OH – Reggie’s Rock Club
5/28 Chicago, IL – Reggie’s Rock Club
5/29 Covington, KY – Mad Hatter
5/30 Charlotte, NC – Tremont Music Hall
5/31 Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade

(with The Ocean, Lair of the Minotaur)
6/01 Orlando, FL – Back Booth
6/02 Tampa, FL – Brass Mug
6/03 Tallahassee, FL – The Beta Bar

KYLESA: Japan/Australian Edition Of "Time Will Fuse Its Worth" To Include Bonus Material

Tokyo-based label Red Cobalt Industries will release the Japanese/Australian edition of KYLESA's "Time Will Fuse Its Worth". This edition will be made available on the heels of KYLESA's European tour with BARONESS and scheduled for release in April 2008.

Originally released on Prosthetic Records in the U.S., the Japanese/Australian edition of "Time Will Fuse Its Worth" will be released as a matte-finish digipack with a completely different artwork layout. The forthcoming release will contain bonus material and see a limited pressing of 1,000 copies worldwide.

The sludge metal band from Savannah is geared up for a busy 2008 and this Japanese/Australian release will be one of their first offerings to see light this year.

For more information, visit www.redcobaltindustries.com.