Kylesa – Ultraviolet | Review

Since the release of their self-titled debut album in 2002 through Prank Records, Georgia’s Kylesa have been progressing continuously, slowly distancing themselves from their hardcore-punk roots and embracing a more progressive and psychedelic sound. So you won’t be surprised if I told you that the new album ‘Ultraviolet’ is another step towards that direction. Their previous effort ‘Spiral Shadow’ released three years ago really marked a new era for this ever-evolving band, pushing their previously reserved elements of dark psychedelia and indie-rock to the fore of their punk-sludge combustion and this new album continues in the same vein, but reveals an even greater emphasis on those psychedelic, goth and indie-rock textures.
Kylesa have toned down the volume and intensity of their sludge monolithic heaviness and worked hard to craft a structured and layered piece of work deeply immersed in a cathartic and dark atmosphere. Even some of the rocking tunes like ‘Unspoken’ or the heavy ‘Vulture’s Landing’ have a haunting, sombre ambience to them.
Vocally, Kylesa also demonstrate a noteworthy evolution with guitarist Laura Pleasents gaining a greater role in this department, singing in a more dreamlike tone like a spiritual voice guiding you to all things cosmic and dreamy.
It is clear that a lot of effort has been put into the composition of the new songs, as each one of them show a high number of different levels and layers. You get trippy noises, electronic swirls and lulling ambient sounds. It's clearly an album for a headphones listening experience rather than an album that you can crank up on a noisy and smoky club.

Band info: www.facebook.com/KYLESAmusic
Label info: www.season-of-mist.com