The support acts for Earth’s upcoming Australia tour in June have been announced.
In Brisbane, you can feast your ears on the hypno-blues of Dreamtime and the dark sludge of A Savage God – made up of No Anchor’s Alex Gillies and cast of some of Brisbane’s finest.
In Perth, Rachael Dease of Schvendes and the award-winning production ‘City of Shadows’ returns to the stage to debut her new band. She’ll be joined on the night by sound manipulators and guitar experimentalists Craig McElhinney and The Tigers’Chris Cobilis, performing as a duo.
In Sydney, special guests include venerable post-metal stalwarts We Lost The Sea, fresh off the re-issue of their debut record ‘Crimea’ and currently working on a third LP. Alongside them will be the sardonic noise rock outfit, Dead China Doll.
In Melbourne, Earth will be joined by sonic siblings Magic Mountain Band, who share Earth’s penchant for moody jams inspired by the vast expanses of barren landscapes. Also gracing the stage will be Bonnie Mercer, who, much like Earth in their formative years, deals in the extremities of sound and the art of the guitar, exploring the hypnotic capabilities of melody and feedback.
In the early 90s, Earth released three landmark albums that set the standard for drone metal. Taking their name from an early incarnation of Black Sabbath, Earth sought to distill rock music to its fundamentals, employing repetition, reverb and distortion to hypnotic effect. The group pioneered the brooding, minimalist aesthetic that went on to inspire a new wave of atmospheric experimental rock, including the likes of Sunn O))), Boris and Om.
Earth 2 remains the document for drone-and doom-minded depressives.
Earth 2 remains the document for drone-and doom-minded depressives.
– Pitchfork
After an extended hiatus beginning in the late 90s, Earth’s only constant member Dylan Carlson revived the band for the release of 2005’s Hex; Or Printing in the Infernal Method. Drawing influence from novelist Cormac McCarthy and composer Ennio Morricone, the record saw Earth’s sound transform, merging the band’s signature meditative drone with country folk-inflected rhythms and plodding, introspective soundscapes.
Tuesday June 17 – Crowbar – Brisbane
With Dreamtime and A Savage God
Wednesday June 18 – Rosemount Hotel – Perth
With Rachael Dease with her new band and Craig McElhinney/Chris Cobilis
Thursday June 19 – Manning Bar – Sydney
With We Lost The Sea and Dead China Doll
Saturday June 21 – The Hi-Fi – Melbourne
With Magic Mountain Band and Bonnie Mercer
Tickets are available from lifeisnoise.com, oztix and the venues for $44 + BF