Noise-Rock From Austin, Texas
Noise-Rock Band Exhalants Release Their Sophomore Album Atonement
honing their skills and working out all the By Tank Austin based band, Exhalants have just little details for the upcoming second release. While on tour, Hex Records approached the released their second album, Atonement. band and offered to sign them to their label. Atonement was released just last month on This was an offer that the band jumped on. September 11th via Hex Records. The album Subsequently they signed and Atonement was is now available on LP, CD, and download. released on the Hex Records label. Atonement is the follow up to 2018 Exhalants By the time 2020 rolled around, the self-titled debut, which was released to rave band could be found recording constantly in reviews. their rehearsal space. Despite some setbacks Revolver Magazine said about their by the Covid 19 pandemic, the band managed self-titled debut, “Somewhere between to finish the album to their satisfaction. For Unsane, Jesus Lizard and Dazzling Killmen the most part, they produced, engineered, and sits Exhalants, a new Austin group comprised mixed the album themselves before turning it of members of Carl Sagan’s Skate Shoes and over to Hex Records. And through all this Body Pressure. Following in the steps of the turmoil, they also managed to complete it in legendary Cherubs, Exhalants make caustic their scheduled timeline. noise rock with melodic inflection.” Their new album is a continuation of Metal Injection also stated “If you’re a their noise-rock style with a few refined fan of bands like Unsane, Jesus Lizard, moments. The nine songs contained on this Cherubs, and Dazzling Killmen, then you’re project will definitely bring them to the going to love Austin-based noise rock forefront of the noise-rock genre. Songs like crushers Exhalants.” “End Scenes” start off with blazing guitars, Well, Exhalants are back with their building into a slick crescendo of noise. new album Atonement, which is far more Other songs on the album like “Definitions” heavier that their debut album was. Not bad take the band down a more melodic path but for a band whose only goal was to be the still culminate in a cacophony of noise. loudest band around. Combining noise rock Perhaps, the most mainstream related song on with distortion with some feedback infused the album is the album’s closer, “Lake Song,” music, they quickly came upon a style all which is a bit of a departure from the rest of their own. This three-piece band was definitely out to make a name for themselves. the album. Regardless, Atonement is filled with Their first album released a hunger in the some really dynamic guitar licks, combined band to make a name for themselves. with a punk infused noise quality of imperFollowing the release of their first band, the fection. But it’s that imperfection that gives band set out on tour with another Texas Trio, this album the boost it needs. Not all the Pinko who were also on the Hex Records songs sound the same yet they still continue label. on with the same punk inspired sensibilities As soon as they came off the tour, the that this band is based on. Steve Pike’s band immediately started work writing guitarwork on this album is definitely material for the new album. They spent the inspirational. That coupled with the rhythm majority of 2019 on the road writing and demoing the new material for their audiences, section of bassist Bill Indelicato and drummer 80 Rock and Blues International • October 2020
Thomas Rabon keep the low end grinding when Pike goes into extreme noise with his guitar. Several songs on the album start in the path of more subdued guitars, only to find themselves engulfed in a full-fledged noise fest, only to be guided through by the low end growl of Bill’s bass. Yeah folks, if you’re into noise-rock, then this is definitely the wave of the future. This album contains nine craftily guided songs to take you on the noise experience of your life, with some slick guitarwork thrown in at times. Check out Exhalants album Atonement now. Available on Hex Records. 01. The Thorn You Carry In Yr Side 02. Bang 03. Passing Perceptions 04. Definitions 05. End Scenes 06. Richard 07. Crucifix 08. Blackened 09. Lake Song
