Earth

[Dr. Zirk]

I've recently come under the spell of the band Earth, which is a sort of revived casualty of the 1990's grunge/downer scene here in Seattle. I've found their music to be much more "Ligottian" than anything I've heard by Current 93 and friends, although I don't doubt I'm in a minority on that point when stacked up against other TLO members.

Earth's formula is basically:

1. Take Black Sabbath's slowest song.
2. Slow that down by about two thirds.
3. Lose the vocals (sorry, Ozzy).
4. Slow things down just a bit more.
5. Serve to taste.

Their frontman (Dylan Carlson) talks a lot about "repetition and the drone or THE NOTE." It's hypnotic stuff, with a serious dark undertone. And with song titles like "Lens Of Uncorrected Night" and "The Dire And Ever Circling Wolves," their hearts are certainly in the right place.

Their music definitely won't get you onto the dance floor, but it's worth a listen as a potential Ligottian soundscape. There's an MP3 from their latest on the Southern Lord site.

	TLO THOMAS LIGOTTI ONLINE

[ventriloquist]

I think I heard about this band from a friend who's big into the Melvins and stuff like that... similar at all?

Just noticed from this post that you're located in WA, Dr. Zirk. Good to know there are other Ligotti freaks lurking in the cracks out here.

[unknown]

yeah I've heard Earth mainly from listening to bands like Cult of Luna, Isis and Pelican

[Dr. Zirk]

Quote Originally Posted by ventriloquist";p=&quot

I think I heard about this band from a friend who's big into the Melvins and stuff like that... similar at all? Just noticed from this post that you're located in WA, Dr. Zirk. Good to know there are other Ligotti freaks lurking in the cracks out here.

I think Earth sometimes gets compared to the Melvins, but Earth is not nearly so true to the rock formula, which is why I find them so intriguing. It's really experimental music, very slow and trancelike. It seems to me that they share a philosophical bond with groups like Current 93, although the musical outcome is quite a bit different.

Are you also in Washington state, ventriloquist? I haven't met too many Ligottians around here, but I suspect that's because some of us like to treat our obsession with Ligotti as a sort of private ritual. Or maybe that's just me?

[The Silent One]

Quote Originally Posted by Dr. Zirk";p=&quot

..."repetition and the drone or THE NOTE."

Hmm... That statement reminds me of a long interview with Swans frontman M. Gira. Droning patterns, hypnotic percussion, relentless gloom, deadly slow beat.... What instruments are used in this subtler assault?

[unknown]

Have you heard Sunn0)))?

[The Silent One]

Quote Originally Posted by unknown";p=&quot

Have you heard Sunn0)))?

Heard of them.

[Dr. Zirk]

Quote Originally Posted by The Silent One";p=&quot

Quote Originally Posted by Dr. Zirk";p=&quot ..."repetition and the drone or THE NOTE." Hmm... That statement reminds me of a long interview with Swans frontman M. Gira. Droning patterns, hypnotic percussion, relentless gloom, deadly slow beat.... What instruments are used in this subtler assault?

I hadn't thought of a connection between Earth and the Swans (since I haven't listened to Swans in years). But it does makes sense to me. Although I don't know much Swans music, I think there may be some type of sympathy between the two groups.

Earth usually restricts themselves to guitars and drums only (quite literally - bass guitar is a rarity on their newer stuff). All those other instruments are just a lot of unnecessary ornamentation (as are vocals!)

[unknown]

Quote Originally Posted by The Silent One";p=&quot

Quote Originally Posted by unknown";p=&quot Have you heard Sunn0)))? Heard of them.

they're ambient drone metal Earth-y type stuff...a little more bizarre

[The Silent One]

Quote Originally Posted by Dr. Zirk";p=&quot

Quote Originally Posted by The Silent One";p=&quot Quote Originally Posted by Dr. Zirk";p=&quot ..."repetition and the drone or THE NOTE." Hmm... That statement reminds me of a long interview with Swans frontman M. Gira. Droning patterns, hypnotic percussion, relentless gloom, deadly slow beat.... What instruments are used in this subtler assault? I hadn't thought of a connection between Earth and the Swans (since I haven't listened to Swans in years). But it does makes sense to me. Although I don't know much Swans music, I think there may be some type of sympathy between the two groups. Earth usually restricts themselves to guitars and drums only (quite literally - bass guitar is a rarity on their newer stuff). All those other instruments are just a lot of unnecessary ornamentation (as are vocals!)

Listening to MP3. Slightly easier to listen to than Swans, and yet not. The instrumental quality is enjoyable, especially since you can picture it yourself. Heavy but etheral. Fine stuff.