Earlier this month, we told you about the upcoming EP Ataraxia/Taraxis, from Chicago(-ish) prog-metal crew Pelican.
While the EP isn’t set to drop until April 10, late last week the band unleashed the Ataraxia/Taraxis track “Lathe Biosas” in all it’s monster-riff glory. The tune is a nearly five-minute rocker that’s pure guitar porn for those who are headbang-starved.
And there are plenty of Pelican’s patented dynamic shifts here as the song ducks along into some tense but melodic axe work in between the epic walls of crunch. This track bares no signs of additional use of the studio as a compositional tool, which Pelican promised in a press release. So for now “Lathe Biosas,” simply acts as a reminder of just how ferocious Pelican are. Listen to “Lathe Biosas” at the top left.
The band are currently slated for a European tour this April, but there’s a good bet a Chicago date will pop-up sooner than later. We’ll keep you posted.
Hard rockers Local H have returned to the studio to record the group’s first full-length album in nearly four years. And the band is allowing fans to check out the results.
The duo of Scott Lucas and Brian St. Clair filmed themselves during varying parts of the recording process and posted the clips to the band’s Facebook page (like this one). It looks like most of the new jams, such as “Another Februrary” and “Paddy Considine,” that surfaced during last year’s touring cycle will appear on the new album.
Local H have holed up at Bucktown’s Engine Studios with local veteran metal producer Sanford Parker, who has previously worked with Bloodiest, Pelican and Yakuza.
The Chicago prog-metalers are set to release their first new material in two years in the form of a new EP, Ataraxia/Taraxis, which is set to drop on April 10 via Southern Lord.
According to a press release, the EP finds Pelican relying more on composition and, “…the utilization of the recording studio as a creative tool in the songwriting process.”
Only four tracks in length, Ataraxia/Taraxis will not only offer the band’s patented epic doom riffage, but will also apparently find them dabbling in some minimal electronics. The EP was recorded in four different studios including sessions with Chicago metal super-engineer Sanford Parker and Aaron Harris (known for his work with ISIS).
Check out the Ataraxia/Taraxis tracklist after the jump.
If there’s a band guaranteed to get you through the rest of your Monday (even if it is Columbus Day), it is Pelican. The Chicago instrumental rock quartet debuted two new songs at its headlining appearance at the Empty Bottle and the Wire Magazine’s Outsider Sounds series earlier this month. The track tentatively titled “New Song (fast)” is a slow-burning rocker with some rumbling bass and heavy-hitting drum action. Toward the end, the mood turns sinister as the track grows heavier. It’s definitely a keeper, guys.
Three cheers for the weekend! Lot’s of great acts will descend on our many rad venues including Twin Shadow at Lincoln Hall, Pelican at The Empty Bottle and much more.
The Empty Bottle’s yearly collaboration with The Wire magazine dubbed “Adventures in Modern Music: A Five Day Celebration of Outsider Sounds” will return next week, the venue announced via its Tumblr.
The series kicks off at the Empty Bottle on Wednesday, Sept. 28, featuring Synthpop composer and Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti keyboard player John Maus, Brooklyn black metal outfit Liturgy, retro-poppers Dirty Beaches, and Chicago’s own experimental electronic outfit Chandeliers.
Hard rockers 
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