Watch Now via Decibel Magazine
 
New Album, Labyrinth of Ashmedai, out Next Friday, January 26, 2018 via Salt of the Earth Records
 
Produced by Billy Anderson (Sleep, Melvins, Mastodon) | Pre-Order Here
Art by ATALA Frontman Kyle Stratton
Twentynine Palms, CA-based sludge/doom metal group ATALA will released their upcoming full-length concept album, Labyrinth of Ashmedai, next Friday, January 26, 2018 via Salt of the Earth Records. Pre-orders for Labyrinth of Ashmedai are available now via https://saltoftheearthrecords.com/salt-of-the-earth-records-store.
 
Right now, check out the band’s brand new music video for the sludge metal track “Wilted Leaf”, produced by Zak Kupcha with Circulation Media. The video features stunning footage of ATALA‘s hot desert home – a perfect backdrop to this sweltering groove. Watch the video now via Decibel: https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2018/01/19/video-premiere-atala-wilted-leaf/
 
Frontman/guitarist Kyle Stratton says: “‘Wilted Leaf’ is probably one of the most straightforward songs we have ever written, it is a pure sludge song. Basically, all we did musically was try and rip the roof off of the studio. Vocally, I just yelled as hard as I could and blew my voice out, day one, fuck it, it’s rock and roll – not pop. Billy Anderson added some of his trademark production just to make it palatable. It’s pretty in your face. The video was produced by fellow local “Metal Head” Zak Kupcha with Circulation Media. He did a hell of a job.”
 
More videos and singles from ATALA:
“Death’s Dark Tomb” track:https://youtu.be/cZbDjAvpOrY
“Death’s Dark Tomb” drum playthrough: https://youtu.be/qun0FfT4g-A
“Grains of Sand” video: https://youtu.be/LvmSAlJ_A2g
“Rigged” video on Gear Gods: https://youtu.be/8zPYxxZueu8
 
As with their last record, Shaman’s Path of the Serpent, Labyrinth of Ashmedai was produced by fellow Twentynine Palms native Billy Anderson, recognized for his work with colossal bands such as Sleep, Melvins and Mastodon. The band says working with Anderson gives thema great advantage, because not only does he bring out their best, he understands their background on a personal level.
 
Musically,ATALA draws inspiration from their local environment, but not in the way other bands from the area do. Twentynine Palms is very different from its neighboring national park, Joshua Tree. Instead, the members of ATALA feel more sullen in their outlook – inspired by true struggles they see the effects of often – like war, poverty, death, drugs, gang violence, prostitution and murder.
 
The concept of Labyrinth of Ashmedai is inspired by Asmodeus, or “Ashmedai”, the biblical “king of demons”. Conjuring grit-laced sludge inspired by their barren and often oppressive desert backdrop, ATALA grips the listener with reflective, crushing doom atmospheres dripping with stoner rock and experimental influences to boot.
 
 
CALIFORNIA SHOWS!
Next Friday, January 26, ATALA will perform at The Hood in Palm Desert, CA for their Record Release Show with special guest When The Deadbolt Breaks. Check here for more information.
 
The next day on Saturday, January 27, the band will perform at The Regal Inn in Lakewood, CA with special guests When The Deadbolt Breaks, Red River Massacre and Dead96. The doors will open at 7:00 and tickets are $5 in advance. Check here for more information.  
 
 
About ATALA:
After honing their chops in other touring bands, the members of ATALA came together in 2013 when frontman Kyle Stratton, who owns two tattoo shops in their hometown, met up with drummer Jeff Tedtaotao, the brother of one of his shop’s tattoo artists. After joining up with their first bassist, the band quickly linked up with producer Scott Reeder (Kyuss, The Obsessed), and released their self-titled first full-length in 2014. In 2016, the band followed up with the release of their well-received sophomore album, Shaman’s Path of the Serpent, this time with current producer Billy Anderson (Sleep, Melvins, Mastodon) at the helm. After the departure of their previous bassist, current bassist and fellow tattoo artist Dave Horn joined the ranks. Now signed to Salt of the Earth Records, ATALA seeks to reach new heights and expand their horizons with the 2018 release of Labyrinth of Ashmedai, their most charging and conceptualized offering yet. ATALA have truly found their path, and their groove, with Labyrinth of Ashmedai.
 
ATALA have performed at festivals such as Maryland Doom Fest and Holland’s Roadburn Festival, And have shared the stage with bands such as Pallbearer, Baroness, Chelsea Wolf, The Obsessed, Coven, 16, Coliseum, Green Jelly and many others.
 
Labyrinth of Ashmedai track listing:
1. Grains of Sand         
2. Tabernacle Of                      
3. Death’s Dark Tomb  
4. I Am Legion
5. Wilted Leaf
6. Infernal
 
 ATALA online:
ATALA is:
Kyle Stratton (Guitar and Vocals)
Jeff Tedtaotao (Drums)
Dave Horn (Bass)