Sharp Dressed Man
Down South Jukin'
The science of chemistry tells us that the addition and/or subtraction of specific elements to and from one another produces predictable reactions and outcomes. Bond a few hundred million hydrogen atoms to half as many oxygen atoms in a contained space and you can go swimming. Throw in chlorine crystalline hydrates to create hypochlorous acid and the resulting reaction will allow you to belly flop to your hearts' content without having to worry about non-toilet trained kids and spitters of all ages. You get the idea.
Creative chemistry, on the other hand, is a whole different ball game. The results emerging from the back end of a creative chemistry compound are more subjective, amorphous and difficult to predict. And even if the source elements can be distilled and identified, it's impossible to quantify what causes and creates the energy that exists between those elements. In the case of Savannah, GA's Kylesa, those standing elements are Phillip Cope, Laura Pleasants and Carl McGinley, the creative nucleus of the progressive, psychedelically stratified, metallic-laced, heavy rock veterans who, with seventh album, Exhausting Fire, provide a crowning example of the positive output that comes at the hands of the trio's incendiary and powerful, yet nuanced and colourful, framework.
Following on the heels of the artistic broad jumps the band has exhibited since forming in 2001, Exhausting Fire hurls even more rulebook pages out the tour van window as Kylesa further explore and incorporate psychedelic rock, new wave, space-age twangy Americana, 80s goth and death rock into their pitch-thick DIY punk/metal roots. But as much as change is a constant in their world ("Anyone who's been following us this long is going to expect things to be slightly different each time. That's the most normal thing about our band!" laughs guitarist/vocalist, Cope), there exists connective tissue to the past despite Exhausting Fire being the most diverse, dynamic and fully-realized work of their discography.
"Every album of ours has a theme,"" says Phillip. "Static Tension was about tension, Spiral Shadow was about distance and Ultraviolet was loss. Exhausting Fire is all about rebuilding. The band was going through hard times; our tour cycle was hard, we were questioning where we were at and we had to rebuild ourselves as a band, push forward and work on our own foundations so as not get stuck. That contributed to how hard we worked on this record."
Nowhere on the new album is this notion better exemplified than on "Moving Day."" In addition to being a collision of solemn, Thatcher-era new wave and mournful swamp rock, the song is actually the final part of a trilogy that includes Ultraviolet's "Low Tide" and "Dust" from Spiral Shadow, as well as being a nod to that album's breakout single "Don't Look Back."
Current lineup:
Phillip Cope – vocals, guitars (2001–present)
Laura Pleasants – vocals, guitars (2001–present)
Chase Rudeseal – bass (2013–present)
Carl McGinley – drums, percussion (2006–present)
Eric Hernandez – drums, percussion (2008–2009, 2013–present) bass (2011–2012)
Discography:
Studio albums
Kylesa (2002)
To Walk a Middle Course (2005)
Time Will Fuse Its Worth (2006)
Static Tensions (2009)
Spiral Shadow (2010)
Ultraviolet (2013)
EPs
Point of Stillness 7" (2002)
No Ending/110° Heat Index (2004)
Delusion on Fire (2003)
Bacteria Sour double 7" (2004)
Unknown Awareness (2009)
Split releases
Split with Memento Mori (2002)
Split with Cream Abdul Babar (2003)
Split with Victims (2009)
Links:
Kylesa
https://www.facebook.com/KYLESAmusic
Kylesa are sort of similar to Mastodon in many ways, both bands are rooted in sludge metal and have gone down a more progressive/psychedelic path, but I think it’s fair to say that Kylesa took the psychedelic part to a whole new level.
Kylesa’s biggest strength is their female vocalist, Laura Pleasants, who I rate among my absolute favourite metal singers. Yup, technically there are lots of singers who are much better than her, but her vocals gives Kylesa a whole new dimension. I can't praise this band enough, their studio outputs are amazing and they are phenomenal live.
Anyway, Kylesa will release a new album, called "Lost and Confused" on Oct. 2.
Here's a brand new track from that album:
And the artwork:
