Moss (band)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Moss | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Southampton, England |
| Genre(s) | Doom metal Sludge metal |
| Years active | 2000-present |
| Label(s) | Aurora Borealis Records, Rise Above |
| Website | Official website |
| Members | |
| Olly Pearson Dom Finbow Chris Chantler |
|
Moss is a three-piece extreme doom metal band from the UK. Influenced by H. P. Lovecraft and the occult, songs usually average the 20 minute mark and incorporate dense and otherworldly atmospheres. Despite the use of extreme bass frequencies, Moss features no bass guitarist.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
[edit] Demo Years
Formed in Southampton at the end of 2000 originally as a guitar/vocal two-piece, the band consists of Olly Pearson (vocals), Dominic Finbow (guitar) and Chris Chantler (drums). Moss self-released several demo recordings during its early years, the first being in 2001, and also appeared on a number of split records and compilation albums with bands such as Wolfmangler, Nadja, Unearthly Trance, Grief and Torture Wheel.
Live performances by the band were rare, the first gig being on a benefit alldayer during the summer of 2002, with one-off shows in London and Manchester during 2003, bookending the releases of the demos Moss (2001-2003) and Tape of Doom. 2004 saw the most live activity to date; in the summer Moss performed for the first time in Europe at the Ashes to Ashes/Doom to Dust festival over two nights in Ghent, Belgium and Tilburg, Holland. During the winter Moss supported Sunn O))) on a boat, The Thekla. Chantler had temporarily left the band at the start of 2004, replaced by Andy Semmens of Esoteric until august, and then Jon Wilson, with Chantler to return in December 2004 to join the Cthonic Rites writing and rehearsal sessions.
[edit] Cthonic Rites
On December 25, 2005 the band released its debut album Cthonic Rites on cd via Aurora Borealis Records. Cthonic Rites was produced/recorded in early 2005 at Chuckalumba Studio by Jus Oborn of veteran UK doom metal band Electric Wizard. Originally limited to a one-time pressing of 1000 copies, Cthonic Rites is currently on its second CD pressing. The first press was available with a live cdr limited to 115 copies, recorded on 20 August 2005 at the Camden Underworld on the 115th birthday of H. P. Lovecraft. In March 2007 a split 7" single with the French band Monarch was issued on the British doom/psychedelic/punk label Rise Above Records in an edition of 550 copies. On this release, Moss covers the track 'Maimed & Slaughtered' by the British d-beat punk band Discharge. Plans for another split 7", with Japanese d-beaters Disclose, were cancelled with the death of Disclose frontman Kawakami on 5 June. Moss' track 'Crawl (Scrape)' was recorded during the Cthonic Rites sessions and will remain unreleased.
[edit] Current Activity/Sub Templum
The long delayed expanded vinyl version of Cthonic Rites was released on October 12, 2007 and limited to 1000 copies, 375 of which are a triple vinyl set consisting of the previously self-released extremely limited ep Live Burial. The package featured gatefold and poster artwork by American illustrator Justin Bartlett: http://www.wearetherobots.com. An announcement was also made on the bands' official myspace page that their second album will be recorded in January 2008 and released on Rise Above Records. In addition was the announcement of two shows, which were played in December. The album title of Sub Templum was announced via the bands myspace, with a release on Rise Above Records to follow in May.
[edit] Discography
- "Unreleased Demo" tape (demo, 2001)
- "Tormented" tape (demo, 2002)
- "Moss (2001-2003)" cdr (demo, 2003)
- "Tape of Doom" tape (demo, 2003)
- "Moss/Nadja" split 3" (Foreshadow Productions, 2003)
- "Bunkur vs Moss" split cd (Foreshadow Productions, 2004)
- "Torture Wheel/Moss: Thee Bridge ov Madness" split cd (Nothingness Records, 2004)
- "Live Burial" cdep (promo only, 2004)
- "Moss/Wolfmangler: Protected by the Ejaculation of Wolves" split cd (Aurora Borealis Records, 2005)
- "Cthonic Rites" cd (Aurora Borealis Records, 2005)
- "Underworld Ritual" cdep (promo only, Aurora Borealis Records, 2005)
- "Tormented (re-issue)" tape (Apop Records, 2006)
- "Moss/Monarch" split 7" (Rise Above Records, 2007)
- "Cthonic Rites" 2xlp and 3xlp (Aurora Borealis Records, 2007)
[edit] Compilation Appearances
- "Dreams of What Life Could Have Been" cd (Psychedoomelic Records, 2003)
- "Humanless" cd (Humanless, 2003)
- "Chariots Arrive Again II" cd (Foreshadow Productions, 2004)
- "Slowmo Music Vol I" cd (Slowmo Music, 2004)
- "Oaken Throne" cd (Oaken Throne, 2007)
