Kylesa

iTunes Review

Kylesa’s name was inspired by "kilesa mara," a Buddhist phrase referring to demons of delusory mental states and defilement. Fitting then that the band’s 2002 debut is titled eponymously as its sonic maelstroms and larynx-shredding tantrums hardly sound like the kind of music that was conceived and recorded with positive mental attitude. While recording Kylesa, the band underwent a tragic loss when bass player Brian Duke died during a violent epileptic seizure. Completing the album in his honor, Kylesa also got one of Duke’s favorite artists, skate-punk legend Pushead, to design the cover. “No Remorse” kick-starts the album blending a feral crusty-punk attack with sludge-metal riffs, while guitar player/singer Laura Pleasants provides gauzy vocal contrasts to lead screamer Phillip Cope, who imported some of his guttural growls and shrieks from his former grindcore band Damad. “The Scarab” rides on a perfect mix of Sabbathesque stoner-rock and explosive ‘80s-inspired hardcore punk to birth the kind of blueprint followed by bands like Bison B.C. and NATUR. “Parent’s Song” ends with a psychedelic acoustic jam that descends into doomy chaos.