Back in Salt Lake City, Acroma used to be known as No Release. In those dark days of the late '90s and early 2000s, vocalist Jeremy Stanley, guitarist Brian Christensen, bassist Tom Collins, and drummer Joshua Zirbel were slogging it out in a city not known for producing post-grunge heroes (the Used aside). Nevertheless, the quartet was able to build a solid local following, and had soon issued a three-song demo/EP. In 2002, a track on an unsigned band compilation caught the ear of Republic/Universal, and the label signed No Release to a deal. Re-emerging as Acroma, the band hooked up with Tool producer Sylvia Massy, who helmed their debut from the comfort of her Northern California ranch. Label shenanigans delayed the release of Orbitals for over a year, but the LP finally dropped in May 2003. ~ Johnny Loftus