From within the vast expanses of Montréal’s arts underworld comes C H R I S T, as the outfit prepares their debut LP, T O W E R, for release this Summer via L’Oeil Du Tigre.
While this band itself may be a new name to the scene, the members of C H R I S T hold deep roots in the Quebec scene, veterans of a range of bands currently or previously holding collective rank in Ire, The Black Hand, Complications, Cobra Noir, Sed Non Satiata, Near Grey, and more, who here culminate their talents to deliver an emotive display of largely instrumental, fully immersive, ethereal post-hardcore/rock.
Founded by guitarists Patrick Paradis (Ire, The Black Hand, Complications) and Maxime Jeniss (Cobra Noir), who later recruited Charles Marty (Sed Non Satiata) and Kevin Bartczach (Near Grey), C H R I S T is a far more restrained and contemplative endeavor than what would be safe to assume when looking at the band’s pedigree. Combining a sparse and almost virtuously patient approach to percussions with lush walls of harmonic drop-tuned textures, the band creates intimate and enthralling soundscapes.
C H R I S T recently completed an intense recording session at Thee Mighty Hotel2Tango in Montréal, which is now set to emerge as T O W E R, the band’s sprawling debut LP excursion. The album was recorded by Thierry Amar (Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Thee Silver Mount Zion Memorial Orchestra) at Hotel2Tango, with additional recordings by Bunny Bartczak at HLR Grover. It was mixed by Radwan Ghazi Moumneh and Thierry Amar at Hotel2Tango and mastered by Harris Newman at Grey Market, its artwork created from photos by Anouk Lessard, edited by Claude Lafrance, and designed by Maxime Jenniss. Comprised of four mostly instrumental songs which offer more than a few surprises as they bloom, T O W E R is an otherworldly documentation of well-crafted audio artistry fit for fans of Earth, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Lae, Mogwai, This Will Destroy You, and Crippled Black Phoenix.
A brief trailer for the T O W E R LP has been released HERE.
T O W E R will be released by the Montreal-based DIY label, L’oeil Du Tigre, on 12″ vinyl and digital formats on June 8th 2015.
Don’t let the glacially meditative nature of the band’s output fool you, because their live shows are an entirely different experience. Working tirelessly since their live debut with Acid Mothers Temple in May 2014, C H R I S T has since been sharing the stage with like-minded outfits such as Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Set And Setting. The band has scheduled a record launch show on June 8th, in Montreal. They’re also about to support Cult Of Luna for their first trek in North America later this year.Additional live actions will be announced in the weeks ahead.
C H R I S T Live Actions:
5/08/2015 Casa del Popolo – Montréal, QC *Record Release Show w/ Big Brave, Jessica Moss
9/02/2015 Cafe Campus – Montréal, QC w/ Cult Of Luna, USA Out Of Vietnam
Stand by for singles from T O W E R and additional album and live announcements from C H R I S T in the days ahead!
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