Locrian (band)
Locrian is an experimental music/drone rock band which formed in Chicago, Illinois, United States in late 2005[1] and is currently based in Chicago and Baltimore, Maryland.[2] The band features Terence Hannum (synthesizers, vocals, tape loops), Steven Hess (drums, electronics), and André Foisy (electric, 12-string, acoustic guitars, tape loops, and electronics).[3] The group incorporates influences from multiple genres including ambient, black metal, noise, drone, industrial, and electronics,[4] and cite One Eyed God Prophecy, Uranus,[5] Yes, Genesis,[6] Brian Eno, and Robert Fripp as influences.[7] Locrian lyrics and artwork evoke dystopic and apocalyptic imagery. Over their ten-year history, Locrian have released six studio albums, three collaborative albums, and numerous limited edition releases.
Locrian | |
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Locrian (left to right): Terence Hannum, André Foisy, Steven Hess | |
Background information | |
Origin | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
Genres | |
Years active | 2005–present |
Labels | Relapse Records |
Associated acts | Pan American, Mamiffer, Christoph Heemann, House of Low Culture, Nachtmystium, Yakuza |
Members | André Foisy Terence Hannum Steven Hess |
History
Locrian was formed in late 2005 by André Foisy and Terence Hannum, who had previously played together in Unlucky Atlas.[8][9] Foisy is originally from Northern New York, while Hannum is from Florida.[9] The group has released over 20 recordings in their relatively short lifespan, on labels such as Small Doses, Bloodlust!, and At War With False Noise, as well as on the group's private label Land of Decay.
In 2009, the band released their first studio album, Drenched Lands.[8] The album was met with acclaim from the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Reader, and Rock-A-Rolla magazine. Locrian followed its release with a U.S. tour, including a special Pitchfork Media sponsored 'Show No Mercy' show in New York City, NY.[10] Their 2009 Rain of Ashes release features two 30-minute-long tracks recorded live at the University of Maryland's radio station WMUC.[11] A second album, Territories, was released in 2010, which took the band in a more rock-oriented direction, featuring guest appearances from members of Nachtmystium, Bloodyminded, Yakuza, and Velnias,[12][13] and this was followed by a third, The Crystal World, later the same year, the title coming from a J. G. Ballard novel.[14]
In 2010, drummer Steven Hess joined the group as a permanent member.[8] The group's first recording with Hess was The Crystal World.
Locrian provided the soundtrack to Scott Treleaven's film piece The Last 7 Words featuring Genesis P-Orridge.
In addition to playing in the band, Terence Hannum is an installation artist who exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago in 2007, and at the Peeler Art Center in 2010.[15][16] Hannum and Foisy formerly taught at Columbia College Chicago.[1] Currently, Hannum teaches at Stevenson University.[17]
The band was signed to Relapse Records in 2012.[18]
Musical style
The band's music was described by Allmusic as an "eclectic mixture of black metal, electronics, drone, and noise rock".[12] Allmusic writer Ned Raggett also identified progressive rock influences on The Crystal World.[19] The band have identified krautrock and 1990s death metal as influences.[9]
Members
- André Foisy – guitar, bass, percussion
- Terence Hannum – vocals, synthesizers, organs, tapes, guitar
- Steven Hess – drums, percussion, electronics[20]
Discography
Studio albums
- Drenched Lands (2009)
- Territories (2010)
- The Crystal World (2010)
- The Clearing (2011)
- Return to Annihilation (2013)
- Infinite Dissolution (2015)
Collaboration albums
- New Dominions (collaboration with Horseback) (2011)
- Bless Them That Curse You (collaboration with Mamiffer) (2012)
- Locrian & Christoph Heemann (collaboration with Christoph Heemann) (2012)
Live albums
- Greyfield Shrines (2008)
- Rhetoric of Surfaces (2008)
- Ruins of Morning (Plague Journal) (2008)
- Rain of Ashes (2009)
References
- Downing, Andy (2009) "Disturbing But Memorable Drone", Chicago Tribune, June 5, 2009.
- Stosuy, Brandon (July 31, 2015). "Locrian's Ode To Extinction". Pitchfork. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
- Rivadavia, Eduardo. "Locrian Biography". All Music. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
- Ludwig, Jamie (June 18, 2015). "Locrian Ponders Man's Inevitable Extinction on New Album, 'Infinite Dissolution". Noisey. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
- Masters, Marc; Currin, Grayson. "The Out Door: Keeping Indie Weird: Locrian Darken Their Darkness". Pitchfork. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
- Terich, Jeff. "Extinction Agenda: An interview with Locrian". Treble. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
- Norton, Justin (July 24, 2013). "Inside The Shredder's Studio #7: André Foisy Of Locrian". Deciblog. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
- Rivadavia, Eduardo "Locrian Biography", Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
- Currin, Grayson (2010) "The Out Door: Locrian Darken Their Darkness", Pitchfork Media, April 16, 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
- "Show No Mercy's Eclectic Lineup for July", brooklynvegan.com, June 3, 2009. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
- Raymer, Miles (2009) "Local Release Roundup", Chicago Reader, November 12, 2009. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
- Rivadavia, Eduardo (2010) "Territories Review", Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
- "Locrian – "The Columnless Arcade"", stereogum.com, April 14, 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
- "Locrian Interview", I Heart Noise, November 18, 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
- "Terence Hannum February 3-25, 2007 Archived 2009-10-31 at the Wayback Machine", Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
- Freske, Will (2010) "Art galleries at Peeler: A look inside the planning, production of the semester's exhibits", The DePauw, November 5, 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
- "SUTV Now Playing - Faculty Focus: Terence Hannum". Stevenson University. Archived from the original on 7 February 2017. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
- "LOCRIAN Sign To Relapse Records". Nefarious Realm. 2012-03-22. Archived from the original on 2015-08-12. Retrieved 2013-06-23.
- Raggett, Ned (2010) "The Crystal World Review", Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
- Currin, Grayson. "Locrian - Infinite Dissolution". Pitchfork. Retrieved 3 February 2017.
- "LOCRIAN-10oz burger, garlic puree, braised short rib, sautéed carrots and celery, horseradish creme,BBQ potato chips". Kuma's Too Twitter Account. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
External links
- Locrian on Facebook
- Locrian on Bandcamp
- Locrian discography at MusicBrainz
- Locrian discography on Discogs