Review: Kylesa – Static Tensions
Kylesa – Static Tensions (2009) [Prosthetic] // Grade: B+
Kylesa’s new album doesn’t really stray too far from the dark and sludgy depths they’ve explored during not only the 3 albums prior to Static Tensions but back to Philip Cope’s days in Damad. However, that doesn’t mean this old dog hasn’t learned a few new tricks. Static Tensions is brimming with the sort of aggressive urgency that not only make’s it’s title so appropriate, but Kylesa’s strongest album to date.
While never shy to show it’s punk/hardcore influence, Static Tension infuses the sort of energy and control into their dense, pulverizing swamp groove that has more in common with Helemet, Unsane & Quicksand, than the particulair brand of southern Doom Kylesa had been so adept and prominent in cultivating.
Like Torche before them, It’s exciting to see Kylesa start to master the art of cultivating their sound for a broader audience without compromising who they are. But what’s more exciting is knowing that this is just the beginning
March 10th, 2009 at 11:13 am
I gotta show my support with the (college) hometown bands. This album by far is my favorite one to date of theirs, coming in just above No Ending. They’ve cleaned up their sound a lot without really changing their style. They also really abuse those drums on here, the two drummers going at once comes through more than on Time Will Fuse it’s Worth to give it a more textured layering. also John Baizley’s cover work for this really fucking rocks. Also If your a Fan of this You should definitely check out Black Tusk!