ChaosResolved
09-10-2005, 12:05 PM
New bands are displayed for public approval so often on the internet that it is often difficult to distinguish one from the other in a sea of obscure independent acts. This column aims to make order out of the chaos by tracking specific trends through genres and/or regions. The former should give fans of the genre a handful of top-notch acts to check out, whereas the latter provides a more geographic approach to the development of music. Trends among underground artists are normally left implied, but here I wish to make an explicit reference to the progression of the modern rock scene. If nothing else, perhaps this will serve as a tool of reference for those who wish to delve into the music world than just the superficial level.
Today, I present five bands from Ohio. Bookmarked between New England's metal/hardcore scene and California's rock scene, the Midwest is often overlooked. Don't mistake this for a lack of musical talent in these states, because it is quite the contrary. The Midwest is home to a plethora of noteworthy acts pushing the envelope in ways unseen on the coasts. Without further ado, let's look into Dolly Trauma, Silencio, Mouth of the Architect, Petting Zeus, and Mortimur, five flourishing acts from the Buckeye state.
Dolly Trauma
Akron
http://myspace-990.vo.llnwd.net/00046/09/97/46237990_m.jpg
Website: Dolly Trauma (http://www.dollytrauma.com)
Music: Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/dollytrauma)
Spearheading the Akron music scene, Dolly Trauma offers a moody progressive/alternative rock breed that can only be described as hauntingly addicting. Formed during high school in 1997, the quartet built up a strong following around the midwest before dropping its self-titled debut album in 2004. Much rocking and head-banging ensued. Loaded with hard-hitting, agressive tunes like 'Sky Will Fahl' and 'Roy' and melodic songs like 'Evora', 'And Manage to Cry', and 'Trepana'/'Postrepana', Dolly Trauma is a tantilizing experience. There is a bit of everything in the album, which gives it a mass appeal. Fluctuating between crunchy, jagged guitars to drive the agressive songs and crisp, smooth chords for the melodic stuff, Dolly Trauma was a monumentally overlooked album from a band who knows what rock music is all about.
Dolly Trauma crafts a sound catchy enough to garnish a mainstream following, yet creative enough to keep the critics happy--a rare feat in this day and age. This band should appeal widely to fans of A Perfect Circle, Dredg, and Deftones, as they explore the insides of the alternative and progressive rock world. Giving credit where it is due, their take on the genre is unique and refreshingly engaging. With a new release on the way, we can expect Dolly Trauma to continue to break the mold and offer an alternative to the normal doldrums of the rock world. A band with a sound as forceful as Dolly Trauma cannot be confined to the Midwest.
Silencio
Columbus
http://myspace-458.vo.llnwd.net/00073/85/45/73365458_m.jpg
Website: Silencio (http://www.iamsilencio.com)
Music: Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/silencio)
Silencio constructs a delicate balance between jazz and metal. This is not a blending that you might expect, but instead a juxtaposition of the two in the instrumental realm. If ever there were a challenging listen, the band's 2004 release, Dead Kings is it. The album is packed full of complex, spontaneous instrumentation, and trying to keep track of where the band is going is like fighting your way through a jello maze. After long enouch exposure, the listener is rewarded with delicious jello and a great understanding of the band and their material. Silencio contains a uniqueness that sets the apart from--literally--every other band out there. The closest comparison one can draw is the warped mindset of Mike Patton, musical genius, trapped in the body of a unsuspecting John Coltrane. The live show speaks doubly to their gift and highlights the intensity of the music.
Currently working on their upcoming release, the future holds only good things for Silencio. A bit mysterious, the band lets the music speak for itself, and it speaks waves. Upon initial listenings, it is difficult to deny that there is not a special spark present in the band--one that will only glow brighter in time. Other bands in the instrumental realm would do good to take a tip or two from Silencio; Dead Kings is a hidden gem of an album, a bit ahead of its time, but hopefully not the last of it's kind. A music scene without Silencio would be a very sad music scene indeed.
Mouth of the Architect
Dayton
http://c.myspace.com/00066/42/31/66581324_m.jpg
Website: Translation Loss (http://www.translationloss.com)
Music: MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/mouthofthearchitect)
Tapping into a metal vein that may recall memories of bands such as Isis, Mouth of the Architect flaunts a unrelenting aggressive approach. Backed by the new and flourshing label, Translation Loss (which seemingly can do no wrong), these Dayton natives satisfy the appetite for heavy, atmospheric drone metal. The band's attitude is a brutal as their music. Claiming to hail from "Hell, Ohio" and proclaiming a desire to fistfuck you with their music, Mouth of the Architect carries this train of thought into its music, as its songs are reflexive of this unnaturally agressive tone. The monstrous side of the band surfaces during the majority of their work, but tracks like 'The Worm' showcase a band on top of their sound. And if that doesn't strike your fancy, 'Heart Eaters' should do the trick. I'd advise you to turn the speakers up to full volume and let the hypnotic instrumentation saturate your system.
With a new split coming up with Kenoma, Mouth of the Architect is on task to make a major move into the metal arena. It's not content to make a smooth entry either, so instead it seeks to blow down the doors and tear down everything in its sight. While cultivating a new scene with other fantastic metal bands such as Mare and Rosetta, the focus is beginning to shift its way west of the east coast and infest the rest of the nation. Get used to this band now, for it is one of the key players in the upcoming years.
Petting Zeus
Akron
http://myspace-763.vo.llnwd.net/00132/36/78/132838763_m.jpg
Website: Petting Zeus (www.myspace.com/pettingzeus)
Music: Myspace (www.myspace.com/pettingzeus)
Spun from the same thread as their local counterparts, Petting Zeus harbors a sound much akin to the aforementioned Dolly Trauma but diverge into the indie sound. Petting Zeus lays down a more experimental approach to their music, discarding formulaic compositions for incline transitions. Simple, quiet rhythms collapse into complex, rugged landscapes in tracks like 'The Skeletons on TV' and 'Do Re Me Fat So', demonstrating this band's organic vision for rock music. They allow the music to develop out of itself without needless repetition and extraneous instrumentation. Concise, perplexing sonic structures mix with a harmonious vocal presence and work wonders for this duo, who have put up a strong preformance on its debut EP.
With an unofficial EP under their belt, Petting Zeus hopes to expand their resume by heading into the studio to lay down some new tracks. If its past work is any indication, Petting Zeus should be covering some serious ground on their new material and expanding into areas previously unexplored. Yet, the art the band creates remains as unpredictable as anything else. The only thing that is certain is that Petting Zeus has a bright future ahead of them.
Mortimur
Columbus
http://myspace-589.vo.llnwd.net/00063/98/58/63498589_m.jpg
Website: Mortimur (http://mortimur.wewantaction.com/)
Music: Myspace (www.myspace.com/mortimur)
A band like Mortimur would be easy to lose in the mix of things. Though they're the second instrumental band on the list, they take a much more traditional approach to their craft. Cascading drums back fluttering guitars on their enchanting debut album, creating a whirlwind of sonic manipulation. Citing influences such as King Crimson and Can, Mortimur carry the legacy of these monolithic bands with a technical mastery unknown to many modern bands. Structures collide, bounce off each other, and ultimately abuse the hell out of each other, all for the enjoyment of the listener. The musical space created by this band is massive and lofty, allowing enough room to delve into its experimental leanings. Mortimur is a must have for anyone professing a deep love of instrumental music.
Morimur is clearly a huge asset to the Ohio music scene, as they bring a fresh sound to the table. Any band sporting a large technical skill, uncompromising creative drive, and wide experimental tendencies is definitely worth looking into. If Mortimur's follow up release continues along the same path as their debut album, it should be one of the top albums to look out for.
These five bands are a slice of the booming Ohio rock scene. Others are beginning to escape the confines of their creative limitations and rise to the challenge to create some moving music. Led by these five great bands, Ohio appears to be reading itself for a move into the limelight. If you think there were any bands deserving of a mention, email me and I’ll try to include them in upcoming features.
~Jordan Volz
Today, I present five bands from Ohio. Bookmarked between New England's metal/hardcore scene and California's rock scene, the Midwest is often overlooked. Don't mistake this for a lack of musical talent in these states, because it is quite the contrary. The Midwest is home to a plethora of noteworthy acts pushing the envelope in ways unseen on the coasts. Without further ado, let's look into Dolly Trauma, Silencio, Mouth of the Architect, Petting Zeus, and Mortimur, five flourishing acts from the Buckeye state.
Dolly Trauma
Akron
http://myspace-990.vo.llnwd.net/00046/09/97/46237990_m.jpg
Website: Dolly Trauma (http://www.dollytrauma.com)
Music: Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/dollytrauma)
Spearheading the Akron music scene, Dolly Trauma offers a moody progressive/alternative rock breed that can only be described as hauntingly addicting. Formed during high school in 1997, the quartet built up a strong following around the midwest before dropping its self-titled debut album in 2004. Much rocking and head-banging ensued. Loaded with hard-hitting, agressive tunes like 'Sky Will Fahl' and 'Roy' and melodic songs like 'Evora', 'And Manage to Cry', and 'Trepana'/'Postrepana', Dolly Trauma is a tantilizing experience. There is a bit of everything in the album, which gives it a mass appeal. Fluctuating between crunchy, jagged guitars to drive the agressive songs and crisp, smooth chords for the melodic stuff, Dolly Trauma was a monumentally overlooked album from a band who knows what rock music is all about.
Dolly Trauma crafts a sound catchy enough to garnish a mainstream following, yet creative enough to keep the critics happy--a rare feat in this day and age. This band should appeal widely to fans of A Perfect Circle, Dredg, and Deftones, as they explore the insides of the alternative and progressive rock world. Giving credit where it is due, their take on the genre is unique and refreshingly engaging. With a new release on the way, we can expect Dolly Trauma to continue to break the mold and offer an alternative to the normal doldrums of the rock world. A band with a sound as forceful as Dolly Trauma cannot be confined to the Midwest.
Silencio
Columbus
http://myspace-458.vo.llnwd.net/00073/85/45/73365458_m.jpg
Website: Silencio (http://www.iamsilencio.com)
Music: Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/silencio)
Silencio constructs a delicate balance between jazz and metal. This is not a blending that you might expect, but instead a juxtaposition of the two in the instrumental realm. If ever there were a challenging listen, the band's 2004 release, Dead Kings is it. The album is packed full of complex, spontaneous instrumentation, and trying to keep track of where the band is going is like fighting your way through a jello maze. After long enouch exposure, the listener is rewarded with delicious jello and a great understanding of the band and their material. Silencio contains a uniqueness that sets the apart from--literally--every other band out there. The closest comparison one can draw is the warped mindset of Mike Patton, musical genius, trapped in the body of a unsuspecting John Coltrane. The live show speaks doubly to their gift and highlights the intensity of the music.
Currently working on their upcoming release, the future holds only good things for Silencio. A bit mysterious, the band lets the music speak for itself, and it speaks waves. Upon initial listenings, it is difficult to deny that there is not a special spark present in the band--one that will only glow brighter in time. Other bands in the instrumental realm would do good to take a tip or two from Silencio; Dead Kings is a hidden gem of an album, a bit ahead of its time, but hopefully not the last of it's kind. A music scene without Silencio would be a very sad music scene indeed.
Mouth of the Architect
Dayton
http://c.myspace.com/00066/42/31/66581324_m.jpg
Website: Translation Loss (http://www.translationloss.com)
Music: MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/mouthofthearchitect)
Tapping into a metal vein that may recall memories of bands such as Isis, Mouth of the Architect flaunts a unrelenting aggressive approach. Backed by the new and flourshing label, Translation Loss (which seemingly can do no wrong), these Dayton natives satisfy the appetite for heavy, atmospheric drone metal. The band's attitude is a brutal as their music. Claiming to hail from "Hell, Ohio" and proclaiming a desire to fistfuck you with their music, Mouth of the Architect carries this train of thought into its music, as its songs are reflexive of this unnaturally agressive tone. The monstrous side of the band surfaces during the majority of their work, but tracks like 'The Worm' showcase a band on top of their sound. And if that doesn't strike your fancy, 'Heart Eaters' should do the trick. I'd advise you to turn the speakers up to full volume and let the hypnotic instrumentation saturate your system.
With a new split coming up with Kenoma, Mouth of the Architect is on task to make a major move into the metal arena. It's not content to make a smooth entry either, so instead it seeks to blow down the doors and tear down everything in its sight. While cultivating a new scene with other fantastic metal bands such as Mare and Rosetta, the focus is beginning to shift its way west of the east coast and infest the rest of the nation. Get used to this band now, for it is one of the key players in the upcoming years.
Petting Zeus
Akron
http://myspace-763.vo.llnwd.net/00132/36/78/132838763_m.jpg
Website: Petting Zeus (www.myspace.com/pettingzeus)
Music: Myspace (www.myspace.com/pettingzeus)
Spun from the same thread as their local counterparts, Petting Zeus harbors a sound much akin to the aforementioned Dolly Trauma but diverge into the indie sound. Petting Zeus lays down a more experimental approach to their music, discarding formulaic compositions for incline transitions. Simple, quiet rhythms collapse into complex, rugged landscapes in tracks like 'The Skeletons on TV' and 'Do Re Me Fat So', demonstrating this band's organic vision for rock music. They allow the music to develop out of itself without needless repetition and extraneous instrumentation. Concise, perplexing sonic structures mix with a harmonious vocal presence and work wonders for this duo, who have put up a strong preformance on its debut EP.
With an unofficial EP under their belt, Petting Zeus hopes to expand their resume by heading into the studio to lay down some new tracks. If its past work is any indication, Petting Zeus should be covering some serious ground on their new material and expanding into areas previously unexplored. Yet, the art the band creates remains as unpredictable as anything else. The only thing that is certain is that Petting Zeus has a bright future ahead of them.
Mortimur
Columbus
http://myspace-589.vo.llnwd.net/00063/98/58/63498589_m.jpg
Website: Mortimur (http://mortimur.wewantaction.com/)
Music: Myspace (www.myspace.com/mortimur)
A band like Mortimur would be easy to lose in the mix of things. Though they're the second instrumental band on the list, they take a much more traditional approach to their craft. Cascading drums back fluttering guitars on their enchanting debut album, creating a whirlwind of sonic manipulation. Citing influences such as King Crimson and Can, Mortimur carry the legacy of these monolithic bands with a technical mastery unknown to many modern bands. Structures collide, bounce off each other, and ultimately abuse the hell out of each other, all for the enjoyment of the listener. The musical space created by this band is massive and lofty, allowing enough room to delve into its experimental leanings. Mortimur is a must have for anyone professing a deep love of instrumental music.
Morimur is clearly a huge asset to the Ohio music scene, as they bring a fresh sound to the table. Any band sporting a large technical skill, uncompromising creative drive, and wide experimental tendencies is definitely worth looking into. If Mortimur's follow up release continues along the same path as their debut album, it should be one of the top albums to look out for.
These five bands are a slice of the booming Ohio rock scene. Others are beginning to escape the confines of their creative limitations and rise to the challenge to create some moving music. Led by these five great bands, Ohio appears to be reading itself for a move into the limelight. If you think there were any bands deserving of a mention, email me and I’ll try to include them in upcoming features.
~Jordan Volz