photos by Naeemah Z. Maddox
As New York City-based experimental jazz/metal quartet TITAN TO TACHYONS prepares to release their second album, Vonals, through John Zorn’s Tzadik Records this month, Decibel Magazine presents a visualizer for the album’s sole single, “Blue Thought Particles.”
TITAN TO TACHYONS is led by New Zealand/New York composer and guitarist Sally Gates (ex-Orbweaver), with drummer Kenny Grohowski (Secret Chiefs 3, Imperial Triumphant, John Zorn), and dueling bassists Trevor Dunn (Mr. Bungle, Fantômas, Tomahawk) and Matt Hollenberg (Cleric, John Zorn). The quartet instrumentally depicts the realms of surrealism and science-fiction through eclectic and improvisational passages, juxtaposed by fluid grooves and metallic flurries. Their debut LP, Cactides, was released through Nefarious Industries mid-2020 to critical acclaim, and now the band returns with its follow-up, Vonals.
With six new tracks encompassing more than forty-five minutes, TITAN TO TACHYONS’ Vonals is a mesmerizing and entrancing album, as alluring as it is unpredictable. Spaced-out free-flowing jams merge with explosive metallic outbursts as if the listener was watching a time-lapse video of the cosmos forming from an ominous jazz lounge in a David Lynch film. The bass interplay of Dunn and bass VI of Hollenberg create a web of intricately developed low-end flow over Grohowski’s hammering buildups and fills, while Gates’ instantly recognizable technical axemanship blooms with both finesse and volatility.
Vonals was recorded and mixed by Colin Marston at Menegroth, the Thousand Caves (Dysrhythmia, Krallice, Imperial Triumphant), mastered by Scott Hull at Masterdisk (Miles Davis, Steely Dan, Herbie Hancock), and completed with band photography by Naeemah Z. Maddox and cover paintings by Sally Gates. A visualizer for “Blue Thought Particles” was created by David Brenner.
Gates writes with the new single, “’Blue Thought Particles’ dives into the nature of consciousness and thought, whether of artificial, natural, or unknown origin. In a nod to Douglas Adams, that includes forms of intelligence which we have no concept of or reference to begin to understand. Musically, this translates to a scattered landscape of textures and emotions, pulling thematically from all over the board. This was the last piece I wrote for Vonals, and like the others, it was an absolute joy to write for and collaborate with such accomplished bandmates. Balancing the voicings of the three strings created opportunities and challenges throughout the album to write counterpoint and make good use of polyrhythms. In particular, having Trevor and Matt switch between bass, melodic, and soloist roles really opened up the musical possibilities. In line with a particular theory of consciousness, it all ties together as a symbiotic, nonlocal whole.”
Decibel writes, “If an album’s being issued on avant garde composer-saxophonist John Zorn’s Tzadik label, there’s a 100 percent chance the content is gonna be experimental, unconventional and expertly played,” proclaiming how TITAN TO TACHYONS, “is prone to free-form freak-outs, as well as jolting bursts of metal destruction on its latest track ‘Blue Thought Particles’ from the upcoming second album, Vonals. Vonals will feature six tracks of similarly out-there material incorporating improv, psych, jazz and metal landscapes backed with Grohowski’s complex rhythms and Gates’ entrancing guitar work.”
Stream TITAN TO TACHYONS’ “Blue Thought Particles” first through Decibel Magazine now at THIS LOCATION.
Tzadik Records will release Vonals on CD on September 16th. There will be no digital release. Also watch the live performance of “Wax Hypnotic” HERE.
TITAN TO TACHYONS will support the release of Vonals with an East Coast tour running from September 28th through October 2nd. Upon their return, a hometown release show has been booked at Saint Vitus in Brooklyn on October 11th. Watch for additional shows to be announced.
TITAN TO TACHYONS Tour Dates:
9/29/2022 etc. – Greensboro, NC w/ Cloutchaser, Voidward
9/30/2022 Sabbath Brewing – Atlanta, GA w/ Dead Register, Shane Parish
10/01/2022 Jam Room Music Festival – Columbia, SC w/ Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Titus Andronicus, Shiner, more
10/02/2022 Gallery5 – Richmond, VA w/ Dumb Waiter, Bermuda Triangles
10/11/2022 Saint Vitus Bar – Brooklyn, NY w/ Editrix, Dumb Waiter
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