SUMAC‘s What One Becomes LP is due out on June 10th via Thrill Jockey, and if “Rigid Man” is any indication it promises to attain epic heaviness. The trio was founded by former Isis‘ frontman Aaron Turner, whose prolific career includes playing in projects like Old Man Gloom and Mamiffer, as well as founding the influential–but now defunct label–Hydra Head Records. The guitarist/vocalist is joined by Russian Circles‘ bassist Brian Cook, and Baptists‘ drummer Nick Yacyshyn. Turner has explained that What One Becomes is about “questioning fabricated structures of identity” as well as “living with the sustained presence of anxiety”. Sonically, this is accomplished by a continual destabilization of musical structure, as well as the conventions of metal, with this constant “threat” of the unexpected or chaotic seeming to act as a galvanizing force for these musicians.
“Rigid Man” martials a tightly wound force around the groups pummeling rhythm section while Turner barks a deep, soul-shattering growl. As the track approaches the midway point, it gains momentum before launching itself into the Void at break-neck speed. Momentarily cut loose into a nearly silent free-fall, Turner’s guitar is left to initially pick up the pieces, and he does so by unleashing reverberating shards of pirouetting tone that gain cosmic density with the re-introduction of drum and bass. By the cut’s end, “Rigid Man” is back on his feet, more lethal than ever as he runs amuck in ear-crushing angst.
Look for the trio to hit the road for a brief tour of the west and southwest this coming May/June, before heading off to Denmark to play the Roskilde Festival on July 2nd. Here is a list of SUMAC’s upcoming tour dates…
SUMAC tour dates:
May 20 – Bellingham, WA – The Shakedown
May 21 – Seattle, WA – Black Lodge
May 22 – Portland, OR – Bunk Bar
May 23 – Eugene, OR – The Boreal
May 24 – Ashland, OR – Club 66
May 26 – Chico, CA – TBA
May 27 – San Francisco, CA – Hemlock Tavern
May 28 – Sacramento, CA – Starlite Lounge
May 29 – Los Angeles, CA – The Complex
May 30 – Phoenix, AZ – Valley Bar
May 31 – Albuquerque, NM – Sister
Jun. 1 – El Paso, TX – Bowie Feathers
Jun. 3 – Austin, TX – The Sidewinder
Jun. 4 – Dallas, TX – Club Dada
Jul. 2 – Roskilde, Denmark – Roskilde Festival *
Oct. 20 – Tucson, AZ – SouthWest Terror Fest &
* w/ Slayer, M83, Grimes, Future
% w/ Pig Destroyer, Agoraphobic Nosebleed, Full of Hell and more
