Shed Some Light: GHOLAS (New Jersey)

This four-piece outfit from Jersey started out in '08 and have a few releases to their name. February 4 will see the release of their newest LP, Litanies, from Dullest Records.
The band has their roots planted in the sludgy, noisy end of the heavy forest, but there are moments of tension and softness that recall some of the louder no wave/shoegaze bands of the 90s. GHOLAS is like a bridge between Jupiter and Antenna but without the whole "alienating an entire segment of your fanbase" thing. Their lyrics are a large part of their appeal as well; previous releases have songs based on the writings of Philip K. Dick and Arthur C. Clarke. Christ knows there is more than a bit of overlap between heavy music fans and sci-fi nerds. It would be a stretch to call GHOLAS a "prog" band - they're too heavy and too ballsy - but they bring the meaning of the word back into a relevant context. This music does progress past a lot of its peers.

Litanies LP (2014) - Available for preorder
Bandcamp

Загадка LP (2010)  - $5/$10 with t-shirt (2 different designs)
Bandcamp

Poisoning The Airwaves live album (2011) - name your price
Bandcamp

Here I Am, Here is Infinity EP (2008) - name your price
Bandcamp

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Dullest Records

Shed Some Light: THE SWAN KING (Chicago)

We'll start 2014 with something from 2012. I discovered The Swan King along with many other quality bands via the Hell Comes Home Volume 1 compilation, a fantastic collection of underground bands spanning plenty of metal subgenres. The Swan King tread the same waters as Planes Mistaken For Stars and Floor, which is some good company to keep. It's noisy and abrasive but catchy as hell, with big memorable hooks that beg for air guitaring. There's a healthy dose of stoner rock injected into the proceedings here and there, but overall this is thunder pop doom riff bliss. Jump on it.

Pay To Pray EP (2012) - name your price
Bandcamp

Eyes Like Knives LP (2011) - $7/10/12.99
Bandcamp

The Swan King/Tellusian split 7" (2012) - EUR 2/4.50
Bandcamp

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