Watch Now via Gear Gods
New Album, Labyrinth of Ashmedai, out 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 unleash their upcoming full-length concept album, Labyrinth of Ashmedai, on 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.
Today, the band is following up on last week’s release of the slow and low track “Death’s Dark Tomb” with an insider’s look at their guitar setup. Check out ATALA‘s quake-inducing rig via their new “Rigged” video on Gear Gods: http://geargods.net/rigged/rigged-atala/
Frontman/guitarist Kyle Stratton says, “The gear I use is really important to my sound. I have my Gibson SG modified for drop C sharp tuning and installed Lace Sensor Pike pickups. Through my pedal board, I have an Electro Harmonics Freeze pedal, a Electro Harmonics 720 Looper, and a Boss Digital Delay, to my splitter. After my splitter, one side goes to an Orange 50 watt Rocker Reverb MK III amplifier dirty channel with massive gain and no reverb. The other side of the splitter goes through an Electro Harmonics Big Muff then to an Orange 50 watt Rocker Reverb MK II amplifier. This amp is also on the dirty channel with a bit less gain and some reverb to add coloring. Each amp goes through its own Orange half stack with Vintage 30 speakers. My rig is an extension of my soul.”
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.
ATALA have released two other tracks from Labyrinth of Ashmedai via music videos. Check them out here:
“Grains of Sand”: https://youtu.be/LvmSAlJ_A2g
Mini-Documentary + “Tabernacle Of”:https://youtu.be/5BCFMmhR73w
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)
