[photo by Frank Garcia]
A new entity emerges from the Cleveland metal scene in the form of GAZZAN, uniting a cast of musicians with roots tracing to American Werewolves, Bowel, and former members from three different eras of Integrity. The outfit has self-released their debut EP, Extinction, has booked several new shows for the Summer months, and is in the process of writing for their debut LP.
GAZZAN marks the fierce full-time return of the Melnick Brothers. Guitarist Aaron “A Double” and bassist Leon Micha have been creating music together all their lives, but never before have they had this level of mature talent, as their musicianship soars to new heights with this band. The songs are driven by the powerhouse driving solos of Blaze Tishko which promise a face melting experience, the guitarist’s technicality and complexity add depth to the GAZZAN songs. Rounding out the unit, multi-instrumentalist, Rob Orr meets Leon’s thundering bass with monstrous drum beating to unleash a bestial rhythm section. The recent addition of American Werewolves singer Trevor Moment’s howling vocals seals the circle to invoke a demon of metal!!
The collaboration of these four musicians united produces a style of powerful, brutal, and yet melodic hardcore-driven dark metal, resulting in some of the best music of their collective careers. GAZZAN‘s first studio works are delivered in the form of a four song EP titled Extinction. Recorded at the infamous Mars Compound by engineer Bill Korecky, the longtime collaborator and documentarian of Cleveland hardcore and metal, Mars Studio’s sound is iconic. Extinction‘s music expands upon themes long present in all of the songwriting of Melnick and Tishko, by corrupting traditional hardcore structures, undermining classic metal tropes, and sidestepping the crossover revival, creating a sound both familiar with and dissociating from the history of their former bands. At points, straightforward metal then abruptly careening toward an old school hardcore riff assault, GAZZAN is exciting for old fans and new. Extinction is available digitally and in a run of 200 cassettes.
GAZZAN’s Extinction debut is now streaming and available for purchase at Bandcamp RIGHT HERE.
GAZZAN is currently booking live performances in support of Extinction, with several shows impending, including a show TONIGHT, August 9th, with Homewrecker and more in Lakewood. They also raid New York for shows in Long Island and Brooklyn this weekend – Saturday, August 13th and Sunday the 14th, respectively — followed by a show supporting Ringworm on August 27th in Cleveland, and another Cleveland gig on September 2nd. Stand by for regular updates in the weeks ahead.
GAZZAN Live:
8/09/2016 The Foundry – Lakewood, OH w/ Homewrecker, Bonehead, Mutilatred, Hellbound [info]
8/13/2016 TBA – Long Island, NY
8/14/2016 Lucky 13 – Brooklyn, NY [matinee]
8/27/2016 Cleveland Agora – Cleveland, OH w/ Ringworm, Punching Moses [info]
9/02/2016 Grog Shop – Cleveland, OH w/ Monolord
GAZZAN
Trevor Trentine – Vocals
Blaze Tishko – Guitar
Aaron Melnick – Guitar
Lenny Melnick – Bass
Rob Orr – Drums
Extinction Track Listing:
1. Bleed for Metal
2. Exhumed at Birth
3. Never Know
4. Litmus Test
http://www.facebook.com/gazzanmetal
http://gazzan.bandcamp.com