LO-PAN
Lo-Pan’s fourth album, Colossus, is named for the Colossus of Rhodes – a 96-foot statue constructed in 280 BC to mark a failed siege and the indomitable nature of the city of Rhodes itself. No surprise it’s the Columbus, Ohio, four-piece’s most personal album yet and a testament to their growth and survival, as a band and as human beings.
Three years on from their third record, Salvador, Lo-Pan have logged countless miles, crossing the country multiple times over on headlining tours and supporting the likes of Torche, High on Fire, KENmode, Whores, Fu Manchu and Weedeater. They’ve become one of the most ferocious live acts in American heavy rock, and Colossus stands tall to reap the rewards of their experience.
For the first time in nearly a decade together, Lo-Pan knew exactly what they wanted when they hit the studio. They’d road-tested songs like “Eastern Seas” and “Colossus” for over a year, and partnering with producer/engineer Andrew Schneider at his Translator Audio studio in Brooklyn just days after headlining Small Stone showcases in that city and Boston this March, they belted out songs that show just how much they’ve moved beyond their influences and arrived at their own sound – a style built on aggression without caricature, fuzz without cliché, melody without redundancy and their meanest groove to date.
Completed with a cover courtesy of Jason Alexander Byers (ex-Disengage, Black Black Black), Colossus will be supported by numerous tours including a full US stint this fall alongside fellow road dogs Black Cobra and much more to come. Like its namesake, Colossus was built in defiance of gods and men, and while Lo-Pan’s loudest statement has always been made on stage, the material they craft and the power with which they execute it on this album is bound to stand for years to come.
LO-PAN join Line-UP for DESERTFEST BERLIN 2015
Hot off the release of their fourth album, Colossus (review here), Ohio fuzz rockers Lo-Pan have been announced as taking part in Desertfest Berlin 2015. The announcement follows a recent schism/split with guitarist Brian Fristoe, and since Lo-Pan are also slated to play Roadburn and have shows booked before then and will be touring Europe as well, one can’t help but wonder who’ll be handling guitar for them going forward. No word has come out yet in that regard, but I’ll let you know when I hear what’s up.
In the meantime, good for the band — who killed when they came through recently with Black Cobra – for getting over to Europe. Feels a little overdue for how hard they’ve slogged it out in the States, but better late than never, and I’m sure they’ll find open arms waiting for them at Desertfest, Roadburn and wherever else they might wind up.
lo-pan desertfest berlin
Two-in-one news: first, we are pleased to tell you that fuzz rockers Lo-Pan join the SOL family and will be touring in April! Then, we are proud to add them to our DesertFest Berlin line-up! Stay tuned for more news!
We stoked to announce that fuzz rockers Lo-Pan are now confirmed to kick a good deal of ass at Desertfest Berlin 2015!
With “Colossus”, LO-PAN’s last album – released about a month ago on Small Stone Records – the Columbus’ four-piece have moved beyond their influences and arrived at their own sound – a “style built on aggression without caricature, fuzz without cliché, melody without redundancy and their meanest groove to date.” (The Obelisk)
Do not miss them! DESERTFEST TICKETS available on :
http://woolheads.com/cms/produkt-kategorie/festivalmerchandise/desertfestberlin/tickets-desertfestberlin/
(83€ + shipping)
DESERTFEST BERLIN #4 – APRIL 23th, 24th, 25th 2015
ASTRA KULTURHAUS / F-HAIN/X-BERG BERLIN (GER)
Red Fang + Orange Goblin + My Sleeping Karma + Brutus + Dopethrone + Lo-pan + Mountain Witch + many many more acts
– See more at: http://theobelisk.net/obelisk/2014/11/06/lo-pan-desertfest-berlin-2015/#sthash.4HhhCZ3i.dpuf
SS-193 :: SUNDRIFTER – An Earlier Time
Track List
- Limitless
- Space Exploration
- Nuclear Sacrifice
- Prehistoric Liftoff
- Begin Again
- Want You Home
- Final Chance
- Last Transmission
Album Info
The sound is bigger and broader on Sundrifter’s new LP, ‘An Earlier Time.’ From the appropriate beginning of “Limitless” onward, the Boston-based three-piece answer the potential of their 2019 sophomore album ‘Visitations’ and their 2016 debut, ‘Not Coming Back,’ with a collection that is likewise huge and intimate, bringing together expansive atmospheres a la Hum’s heavy post-rock vision with Soundgarden’s unmitigated heavy revelry and melodic command and the contemplative expressivism of Radiohead. Eight songs, each one of them a world to get lost in. They just seem to spread out, and out, and out.
With the returning trio of guitarist/vocalist Craig Peura bassist Paul Gaughran and drummer Patrick Queenan, Sundrifter call to mind the expansive atmospheric heavy rock of outfits like Forming the Void or Small Stone veterans Abrahma, but Peura’s vocals cull influence from ’90s alt rock in a way that emphasizes the individual now more than ever, and the band’s third-album realizations come complemented by the return of producer/mixer Dan Schwartz (Chris Goosman mastered) and cover art by Branca Studio, furthering the ‘complete package’ sensibility fostered in no small part by the weighted complexity and breadth of the tracks themselves. It’s not so much heavy rock as is, but as it could be.
RIYL: Soundgarden, Queens Of the Stone Age, Lo-Pan, Black Sabbath
Credits
Sundrifter is:
Craig Peura: vocals and guitar
Paul Gaughran: bass
Patrick Queenan: drums
All Lyrics written by Craig Peura.
All songs written and performed by Sundrifter.
Recorded and Mixed by Dan Schwartz at Futura Productions, Roslindale, Massachusetts.
Masted by Chris Goosman at Baseline Audio Labs, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Cover Art and layout by Branca Studio.
Additional layout stuff by Alexander von Weiding.
ABRAMS
Initially seeking to fuse melodic hooks with dissonance, Abrams began in 2013 in Denver, Colorado, with guitarist/vocalist Zach Amster and bassist/vocalist Taylor Iversen. Later joined by drummer Ryan DeWitt, Abrams has released an EP and three studio albums all to critical acclaim. With each release, the listener can hear the band evolving and maturing to what it has become today. A band dedicated to compelling songwriting, and energetic live performances, Abrams ups the ante with the moody, heavy, psychedelic rock venture of their forthcoming LP, ‘In the Dark.’
Adding Patrick Alberts (Call of The Void) to the lineup, ‘In the Dark’ is Abrams’ first release as a four-piece, following behind 2020’s ‘Modern Ways.’ With the pandemic cancelling all touring plans for Modern Ways, Abrams immediately got to work demoing 25 plus songs for their next release. Given the world was in lockdown, Amster took a deep dive to learn the ins and outs of home recording in order to refine song structure, with a hyperfocus put on vocal hooks. There was a goal set to have as complete and polished songs as possible prior to entering the studio in Summer of 2021 with Producer/Engineer/Collaborator Dave Otero (Khemmis, Cattle Decapitation) at Flatline Audio who was the last piece in shaping the final soundscape.
The new collection is a fine-tuned 45-minute sonic journey detailing the angers, fears, frustrations and joys inherent in living in a world gone mad. With cinematic guitar riffs, brooding leads and addictive vocal hooks, Abrams conjures a mature, polished and intensely passionate craft, urgent but not at all rushed. There are hints of early AmRep mixed in with the larger sounds of 90’s alt heroes Failure, Quicksand and Hum. Combine that with the heaviness of recent Mastodon and stoner psychedelia of All Them Witches and you get ‘In The Dark”.
For fans of Mastodon, Queens of the Stone Age, All Them Witches, Cave In, Lo-Pan.
SS-190 :: ABRAMS – In The Dark
Track List
- Like Hell
- Death Tripper
- Better Living
- In The Clouds
- Fever Dreams
- Body Pillow
- Leather Jacket
- White Sand
- In The Dark
- Black Tar Mountain
Album Info
Initially seeking to fuse melodic hooks with dissonance, Abrams began in 2013 in Denver, Colorado, with guitarist/vocalist Zach Amster and bassist/vocalist Taylor Iversen. Later joined by drummer Ryan DeWitt, Abrams has released an EP and three studio albums all to critical acclaim. With each release the listener can hear the band evolving and maturing to what it has become today. A band dedicated to compelling songwriting, and energetic live performances, Abrams ups the ante with the moody, heavy, psychedelic rock venture of their forthcoming LP, ‘In the Dark.’
Adding Patrick Alberts (Call of The Void) to the lineup, ‘In the Dark’ is Abrams’ first release as a four-piece, following behind 2020’s ‘Modern Ways.’ With the pandemic cancelling all touring plans for Modern Ways, Abrams immediately got to work demoing 25 plus songs for their next release. Given the world was in lockdown, Amster took a deep dive to learn the ins and outs of home recording in order to refine song structure, with a hyperfocus put on vocal hooks. There was a goal set to have as complete and polished songs as possible prior to entering the studio in Summer of 2021 with Producer/Engineer/Collaborator Dave Otero (Khemmis, Cattle Decapitation) at Flatline Audio who was the last piece in shaping the final soundscape.
The new collection is a fine-tuned 45-minute sonic journey detailing the angers, fears, frustrations and joys inherent in living in a world gone mad. With cinematic guitar riffs, brooding leads and addictive vocal hooks, Abrams conjures a mature, polished and intensely passionate craft, urgent but not at all rushed. There are hints of early AmRep mixed in with the larger sounds of 90’s alt heroes Failure, Quicksand and Hum. Combine that with the heaviness of recent Mastodon and stoner psychedelia of All Them Witches and you get ‘In The Dark”.
For fans of: Mastodon, Queens of the Stone Age, All Them Witches, Cave In, Lo-Pan.
Credits
Abrams is:
Zachary Amster: guitar and vocals
Taylor Iversen: bass and vocals
Ryan DeWitt: drums
Patrick Alberts: guitar
Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Dave Otero at Flatline Audio.
Produced by Abrams and Dave Otero.
Album art and layout by Robin Gnista.
All songs written and performed by Abrams.
Published by Small Stone Records (ASCAP).