It’s time to jazz things up.
Some of you may have caught wind of three-piece instrumental jazz/avant-garde metal unit Kilter. Comprised of bassist/label-head Laurent David (Alter-Nativ), along with drummer Kenny Grohowski (Imperial Triumphant, John Zorn) and saxophonist Ed Rosenberg III (Jerseyband, Heart of Barf), the band has set themselves on a mission to create music that evokes the hustle and bustle of New York City.
Today, we have “Spherical Bastards” featuring Per Nilsson of Meshuggah/Scar Symmetry and the group is going to take us back to the 1920s Jazz Age. Other tracks on the record have been more frantic, evoking a real sense of dread, but here things feel more like it’s 3 am and one is walking down the street. The heartbeat-like drums get the song going and the sax isn’t too far behind, nor is the bass. However, what sounds like it’s going to dissolve into chaos gets a lot more swinging.
The song progresses with the atmosphere of a smoke-filled club that’s probably bootlegging bathtub moonshine. Once Nilsson’s guitar kicks in the song starts to jam hard. But before you know it, Kilter takes it back down to that low late-night club vibe and keep with it for a while, eventually exiting in a cast of blipping static.
Jazz, prog and experimental metal fans will find something to love here. You can stream the song and preorder their new record Axiom below.