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EXHALANTS
working at a long-running, Austin-area music venue called Beerland that closed after employees were left unpaid and went on strike.
Guitarist and vocalist Steve takes inspi- “The loss of that club really left a huge hole and a lot of anger and frustration,â€? Steve ration from groups like post-hardcore explains. “It’s stuff like that, and also outtrailblazers Unwound and Fugazi to more doom-and-sludge-oriented bands like Su- side—current affairs, world events, and even just looking in our own backyard in mac and Kowloon Walled City. Crucially, he Austin and kind of seeing the problems explains, he doesn’t want to simply emulate with that, seeing the frustration with that.â€? either the greats who have come before, or the previous output from Exhalants themThe music reflects a lot of that tension, selves. Rather, he and the band would like but the members of Exhalants—including to make their own, fresh imprint. Tom on the drums and Bill on bass, who “The older I get, instead of trying to emu- Steve notes are his best friends—don’t late their sound so much, it’s like—alright, stop there. The swinging dynamics across obviously I’m influenced by these people, the always energetic Atonement give the record a somewhat contemplative feel, but what can I do? How can I push myself as Steve explains. as a player?â€? Steve comments. “People throw us under the noise-rock or the post-hardcore tag all the time, which is “[The record is] kind of going through the experience that we did and processing easy to do, and it’s a really easy, quick it, but at the end of the day, when you way to describe our band, but it’s also come out of it, it’s a release. That’s what been done so many times, no matter how music is for us. It’s an emotional escape. successful any of these bands are. How It’s an emotional release, and at least can we push ourselves as musicians and for us and some of the fans that we talk as artists to create music, and how do we to, it’s like, yeah, they connect to it on an push the boundaries of our sound?â€? INTERVIEW WITH VOCALIST AND GUITARIST STEVE emotional level. And to me, that’s, like, the BY CALEB R. NEWTON whole goal of this band is to connect with For Exhalants, Steve explains that some people through music, whether it’s soniof the emotional sentiments that course captured an especially heavy brand of xhalants are an Austin, Texas-area noise rock with rattling drum rhythms, through Atonement come from “strifeâ€? cally or emotionally, and if we can do that, noise rock band united by friendship that the band members were experienc- then I think we’re doing our job. We want super-heavy bass groove, and propulsive and love for the music that they sprung to create music for everybody because ing in their own lives around the time of up amidst. On their new album Atonement, guitar riffs, all of which helps whisk listeners that’s how music is supposed to be.â€? đ&#x;’Ł the album’s creation. He himself was off into the band’s creation. out now via Hex Records, the group have
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CHAMBER PHOTO BY JOSH VEGA
Chamber,� drummer Taylor Carpenter states. “So, I think that is why we are adept at playing with each other and reading each other years later. We also all look up to most of the same bands and figures in music to gain inspiration from. During the writing and recording processes for Cost of Sacrifice, our main goal was to push ourselves creatively and musically. We will always sound like Chamber, but with each release, we want there to be an obvious sense of growth and reform.� Chamber have really honed in on a brand of metallic hardcore that pulls no punches but isn't afraid to play around with other styles (metal, industrial, prog). So, what did they want to do with this first full-length? “We all love so many different types of music,� Carpenter answers. “So, the genre mold has never really been our sical weaponry is impressively dynamic, comfort zone when writing. As stated shapeshifting as the record plays on. This above, our main goal was to push ourselves as individuals and as a unit with is all killer, no filler or fluff. this record. Cost of Sacrifice is our first LP, so we did not want there to be a single Chamber carry the sound of a group who know each other’s strengths and dull moment on it. Instead of focusing on if our songs fit a certain subgenre that play to those very well. It’s especially people associate us with, we wanted to impressive given how dense and furious make a paradox record that we could be these songs are while also being very entirely confident in.� clear in their vision.
INTERVIEW WITH DRUMMER TAYLOR CARPENTER BY NICHOLAS SENIOR
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n a classic revolver, you have six chambers to fill with bullets. If you are a certain Nashville, Tennessee metalcore act, you have a debut album loaded with ten bullets in one very powerful Chamber. Cost of Sacrifice, due out October 23 via Pure Noise, is about as powerful an opening statement as any in recent memory. Specializing in a ferocious style of chaotic metalcore (think Botch or Converge with some hints of Gojira and Godflesh), Chamber’s potent mu-
“We all played in bands together before
Cost of Sacrifice was the result of intense
struggle. Chamber found solace in this record and let it become a literal sounding board. That comes across beautifully in the chaotic and venomous songs, but there's almost a triumphant feeling to the songs. So, did this sacrifice bring the band closer? “It definitely has,â€? Carpenter concurs. “We were touring so much before and after recording that most of us did not have a home at the beginning of the year and crashed with friends or family. We have given up on relationships, jobs, and other opportunities to stay focused and committed to moving forward in a direction that we see fit. This year has been an intense period of trial for us, as well as an insane year for everyone, obviously. Three of us live together now, and we are in a secure place that we are very comfortable in and excited about, so I am happy to hear there is a sense of triumph in the songs.â€? The record's themes of frustration and empowerment seem even more meaningful now than when they were written (art has a way of being especially meaningful during times of darkness and tragedy, doesn’t it?). So, what did the band want to talk about with this record? “[The album] ties into the concept of a ‘self’ and how easy it is to forget who you really are,â€? Carpenter explains. “Everyone has their own identity, and that is more empowering than people realize. That concept has stuck with all of us this year through our tribulation. We hope that the record will resonate with anyone who feels lost as a result of this tragic year.â€? đ&#x;’Ł
NEW NOISE
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