Since their genesis in 2014, SUMAC – which features guitarist/vocalist Aaron Turner, drummer Nick Yascysyn and bassist Brian Cook – have been shaking the Earth with a sound glacial in size.  The band’s prolific discography features two previously released full length albums – The Deal (2015, Profound Lore) and What One Becomes(2016, Thrill Jockey) – as well as the Before You I Appear EP (2016, Thrill Jockey).  Now SUMAC are preparing for the release of their third full-length; a collaborative album titled American Dollar Bill – Keep Facing Sideways, You’re Too Hideous To Look At Face On (February 23, 2018, Thrill Jockey) and today, the band has announced a cassette-only release of their Live at WFMU performance (February 2, 2018, SIGE Records).
Recorded live from Brian Turner’s WFMU radio show, this live set showcases SUMAC in their most raw and urgent state, incorporating long passages of improv jamming and between-song walls of noise into their more rigidly composed pieces. The band seamlessly weaves together a five song set with selections from both of their studio albums into one heaving mass of passion and dissonance. The confined space of the studio lends and extra-claustrophobic atmosphere to the recording, ensuring full immersion possibilities for willing participants.  The WFMU cassette is available for pre-order here and will be available from SUMAC on the road.
Also available from SIGE Records is the soundtrack to the art-house horror short film Compulsion, scored by SUMAC drummer Nick Yacyshyn along with the film’s director, Brian Sepanzyk.  While traditionally the music for a film would be created after a script was written or some scenes were shot, this was a project ultimately born out of the soundtrack. The music features throbbing synth pulses and sawtooth wave leads synonymous with horror films, but also delves into more abstract textural territories. However, the biggest deviations can be heard on the final two tracks—the somber acoustic guitar instrumental “The Lament”, and the brooding EBM banger “Ugly Lies”.  The Compulsion soundtrack is available for pre-order here and will be available from SUMAC on the road as well.  You can check out the movie trailer here.
Additionally, SUMAC has embarked on a West Coast tour today, alongside their friends in Converge and Cult Leader.  The tour arrives in advance of SUMAC’s first collaborative album ever with acclaimed Japanese guitarist/vocalist Keiji Haino, titled: American Dollar Bill – Keep Facing Sideways, You’re Too Hideous To Look At Face On (February 23, Thrill Jockey).  For American Dollar Bill, Keiji Haino and SUMAC met up in Tokyo’s Goksound recording studio in summer 2017 to track a series of unrehearsed, completely non-premeditated sessions. Throughout the course of its hour-plus length, American Dollar Bill pushes and pulls at the strictures of metal and bends towards improvised music to create a sonic purge unencumbered by convention.  Pre-orders are available in advance of street date here and a preview of the album can be found here.
SUMAC tour dates:
Jan. 20 – Seattle, WA – El Corazon *
Jan. 21 – Portland, OR – Bossanova Ballroom *
Jan. 23 – Berkeley, CA – Cornerstone Berkeley *
Jan. 24 – Santa Cruz, CA – The Catalyst Atrium *
Jan. 25 – Los Angeles, CA – The Regent *
Jan. 26 – Santa Ana, CA – The Constellation Room *
Jan. 27 – San Diego, CA – Brick By Brick *
Jan. 28 – Mesa, AZ – Nile Theatre *