Asphyxian

Asphyxian, a psychedelic/experimental rock outfit based out of Newton Falls, has some big plans for 2013 – and with the end of the year just around the corner, there’s no better time for a band to prep a fresh game plan.

Originally founded as a solo project of Asphyxian founder/frontman Will Skok, the Northeast Ohio band has undergone its share of changes since 2007 when Skok was writing and recording all material himself.

Evolving from a solo project to a shape-shifting four piece, the group now features Skok on vox, Aryck Adams on guitar, Par de la Grange on percussion and Mark Rich on the Keys. Other artists, like Cellist Sam Kristoff, offer their talents when applicable.

While the lineup speaks for itself, so does the music, which can be described as a trippy, Doors-inspired, sludge-meets-folk rock. Asphyxian’s sound has undergone its lion’s share of tinkering as the band rolls in varying directions throughout its timeline. “The Price of Redemption,” which Skok describes as a “dark, westerny sort of concept record,” and “And I Will Be, Until the Day I Die” were both recorded by the frontman himself. The lineup formed after Skok sought a group that would bring his project to the stage.

Skok offered his own explanation on how the do-it-yourself band’s sound has evolved through the years.

“The music is definitely, always evolving. Nothing sounds the same as the last thing, and for a lot of listeners, that can sometimes be a turn off. The first few records that were put out were just me. And I’ve never been a ‘tight’ musician, so when you listen to it, sometimes it has this drunken timing or something going on. Some people love it, others not so much,” Skok explained. “When [former members] Jeff, Brandon, Sam and Jesse signed on, the sound became a bit more solid. We had a bunch of guys who all have major strong points – bringing to the table things I just couldn’t do. We had a primo cellist, too, and that blew a lot of people away. There were some creative hurdles we had to overcome, but the last year, with the lineup, I think we shattered them. We got more into the art of music as opposed to the science of it. Out of that, we created ‘Sinners,’ which was actually just one big improv jam session. There were’nt any rehearsals or anything – we just set up mics and got to works. None of us had any idea what we were trying to create, and in the end, it was beautiful.”

“Aryck, Mark, an Pat, are all very theory oriented, so there is definitely a bit more science in the mix,” Skok added. “Previously, we had been doing a lot of your basic rock major/ minor chorded stuff — bar chords — and now we’ve sort of shifted into using a wider variety — augmented seven chords, and jazz or samba rhythm – just places where the music previously was unable to go. So the music is always changing. Whether it’s improving or not I suppose depends on the listener.”
“Sinners” was just released this fall. Going into 2013, the band has its ghoulish sights set on a new album and dubbed “The Beauty in Pestilence,” which Skok describes as more “rock ‘n’ roll-esque” than past records.

“We love the slow, creepy stuff,” said Skok, referencing the sound of past albums, “only supercharged.”

While the new album is in the works, Asphyxian is reinvigorating its tour schedule. The band just played its first show in six months last week at Akron Musica.

“It was kind of a relief to get back on stage again and more so to see the crowd waiting for us to play,” Skok said. “Whenever there is any sort of major break, or lineup replacement, in the back of my mind I’m always wondering if we’re going to make it back up there. After the ball stops rolling, so to say, it’s always hard to get it going again.”

Skok said the impending tour is bringing out the mechanics in the band.

“We’ll be embarking on our first DIY west-coast tour in mid-July, so we’re all pretending to be mechanics so we can fix up this old motor home,” he said. “Being stuck in the middle of a desert sounds like a bummer.”

Be sure to catch Asphyxian’s few shows around Northeast Ohio and show your support as they prepare to embark on what’s sure to be a busy year! Besides their homepage, you can also follow the band’s growing list of tour dates via ReverbNation.

You can also catch Asphyxian Jan. 25 at The Outpost in Kent and Feb. 1 at Buzzbin in Canton. And check out this vid, courtesy of the band, of their new song “Heart Like a Handgun” recorded at last week’s show in Akron! - Nasty fancy

According to their bio, Asphyxian formed in 1877 when the members sold their souls to a Louisiana swamp witch. Of course, as everyone knows when dealing with swamp witches, this doomed them to only sing songs about heartache, betrayal and death. The crazy origin story highlights one of the band’s greatest hallmarks.

In addition to offering up some eerie metal tinged swamp rock, Asphyxian excels at weaving gothic tales with their music. The band sounds like it could have originated in the Appalachian Mountains just as easily as it could have come out of the swamp. That fact that the band is actually based out of Ohio is something I frankly find baffling.

The recording on The Price of Redemption is a little rough, but it only adds to the hillbilly flair of the band. Songs often start off slow and gradually build to a chaotic climax before cooling off or dissolving into madness. The band channels Clutch and early era, psycho-country Beck, combining angry banjo picking and layered lap-steel melodies peppered generously with dissonance and minor key changes. The drums even emulate the hoof beat of a horse, giving a galloping rhythm to many of the songs.

Tracks like “Glory Glory” adopt a dirge-like quality and “Shallow Grave” aims for an Ennio Morricone style western feel. But the latter’s drunken vocal delivery is a little too sloppy and the song begins to deteriorate due to a lack of any sense of direction. It’s clear to see where the song was attempting to go, but it becomes the victim sloppy editing and production values. “Shallow Grave” is the weakest track of the album, but thankfully it’s the only weak track.

Despite the occasional misfire Asphyxian has all of the makings of a great band and The Price of Redemption is a great album. With the help of a little more polish and money in the studio this album may have been incredible. As-is, it’s still an album that warrants your attention.

Check him out (and their creepy ass music video) at www.asphyxian.com - Review by David Feltman

According to their bio, Asphyxian formed in 1877 when the members sold their souls to a Louisiana swamp witch. Of course, as everyone knows when dealing with swamp witches, this doomed them to only sing songs about heartache, betrayal and death. The crazy origin story highlights one of the band’s greatest hallmarks.

In addition to offering up some eerie metal tinged swamp rock, Asphyxian excels at weaving gothic tales with their music. The band sounds like it could have originated in the Appalachian Mountains just as easily as it could have come out of the swamp. That fact that the band is actually based out of Ohio is something I frankly find baffling.

The recording on The Price of Redemption is a little rough, but it only adds to the hillbilly flair of the band. Songs often start off slow and gradually build to a chaotic climax before cooling off or dissolving into madness. The band channels Clutch and early era, psycho-country Beck, combining angry banjo picking and layered lap-steel melodies peppered generously with dissonance and minor key changes. The drums even emulate the hoof beat of a horse, giving a galloping rhythm to many of the songs.

Tracks like “Glory Glory” adopt a dirge-like quality and “Shallow Grave” aims for an Ennio Morricone style western feel. But the latter’s drunken vocal delivery is a little too sloppy and the song begins to deteriorate due to a lack of any sense of direction. It’s clear to see where the song was attempting to go, but it becomes the victim sloppy editing and production values. “Shallow Grave” is the weakest track of the album, but thankfully it’s the only weak track.

Despite the occasional misfire Asphyxian has all of the makings of a great band and The Price of Redemption is a great album. With the help of a little more polish and money in the studio this album may have been incredible. As-is, it’s still an album that warrants your attention.

Check him out (and their creepy ass music video) at www.asphyxian.com - Review by David Feltman

SavvyMuzik are excited to announce the signing of Ohio based indie/alternative/etc group ‘Asphyxian’ to a worldwide distribution deal. Asphyxians music is extremely hard to describe, and even harder to place into a genre, however this is the sheer charm about them. The instrumentation is primarily based around acoustic guitars and vocals but also ventures into string sections, banjo, trumpet, lap steel, organ, sitar, various percussion, etc. The versatile talent of artists Will Skok, Brandon Boles, Jesse Jones, Adam Coss, Michael Smith and Kevin Elliott is nothing short of astounding.



The songs are often eerie, creepy and somewhat disturbing which also plays into their image and album artwork, which features images of lynching, tumours and guns. SavvyMuzik will be releasing their previously unreleased EP “And I Will Be Until The Day I Die” through all good digital retailers. As one fan puts it, Asphyxian’s music is like a “transcend downward to a more bluesy depression”. and I cannot think of a better way to describe it.



There aren’t enough words you can use to describe a band like this, all I can say is you MUST check out their music. You can listen to them at: www.asphyxian.com and keep an eye out for their EP “And I Will Be Until The Day Idea” on iTunes and plenty of other online stores NOW. - Thursday, 03 June 2010 06:31 Written by Administrator

SavvyMuzik are excited to announce the signing of Ohio based indie/alternative/etc group ‘Asphyxian’ to a worldwide distribution deal. Asphyxians music is extremely hard to describe, and even harder to place into a genre, however this is the sheer charm about them. The instrumentation is primarily based around acoustic guitars and vocals but also ventures into string sections, banjo, trumpet, lap steel, organ, sitar, various percussion, etc. The versatile talent of artists Will Skok, Brandon Boles, Jesse Jones, Adam Coss, Michael Smith and Kevin Elliott is nothing short of astounding.



The songs are often eerie, creepy and somewhat disturbing which also plays into their image and album artwork, which features images of lynching, tumours and guns. SavvyMuzik will be releasing their previously unreleased EP “And I Will Be Until The Day I Die” through all good digital retailers. As one fan puts it, Asphyxian’s music is like a “transcend downward to a more bluesy depression”. and I cannot think of a better way to describe it.



There aren’t enough words you can use to describe a band like this, all I can say is you MUST check out their music. You can listen to them at: www.asphyxian.com and keep an eye out for their EP “And I Will Be Until The Day Idea” on iTunes and plenty of other online stores NOW. - Thursday, 03 June 2010 06:31 Written by Administrator

This is going to be a classic.
The music fits right in with the lyrics.
I'm seeing a an heir to rob zombies throne.
Music is going through a change, not all changes are good, but at the end of
every tunnel is the light, this is the light right here.
The guitars are amazing, the vocals are terrific, the music over all is just
excellent. I believe I have a new favor group. - February, 23 2011 Tim Ferraro The price of redemption review