Entertainment Magazine
Ex Eye (feat. Colin Stetson) Stream Debut Album, on Tour on the West Coast Now
Posted on the 29 June 2017 by Ripplemusic“… Ex Eye can forge new expressions at the crossroads of jazz and metal.” - Pitchfork "...take a dive into what operatic, larger-than-life arrangements the complete album has to offer." - Stereogum "...extended, sprawling compositional approach that lends it an overall massive feel. The songwriting has depth and emotion, but it’s difficult to encapsulate in any one simple way. Is it heavy? Absolutely. But beyond that trying to squeeze it into any one category is futile. This is wild stuff." - Treble
EX EYE makes music of power, control, motion and intention; music composed with precise, clockwork intricacy and ecstatic abandon. It is hard, heavy music – aggressive, cathartic, and thrilling. The instruments fluidly exchange roles; melody, harmony, riff, engine, anchor, fuel.
Gathered at renowned, experimental saxophonist Colin Stetson’s behest in 2016, EX EYE consist of Stetson along with Greg Fox (Liturgy) on drums, Shahzad Ismaily (Secret Chiefs 3, Ceramic Dog) on synths and Toby Summerfield on guitar. Upon their formation, the group appeared at a series of prestigious festivals including Roskilde Festival (Denmark), Red Bull Music Academy (Montreal), CTM Festival (Germany), and Eaux Claires Fest (US).Their otherworldly live performances and hypnotically heavy rehearsal demos led to their signing with Relapse Records.
Recorded live at EX EYE member Shahzad Ismaily's Figure 8 Studios in Brooklyn, NY (Blonde Redhead, Damien Rice, Okkervil River, Son Lux, Pussy Riot), the debut showcases a band that is without question the sum of its parts, as each player contributes not only their own particular technical prowess and expertise but also their signature compositional character. EX EYE make incredibly complex yet beautifully dramatic and emotive music which eclipses usual expectation of style or genre and takes the listener on a cathartic, thrilling journey to total transcendence.Listen to the album in its entirety today via Stereogum.
EX EYE is on tour now, playing Sled Island (Calgary) today then hitting Vancouver, Portland, San Francisco and Los Angeles to follow.More live performances confirmed on the East Coast in August - check out all tour dates below.
EX EYE is: Colin Stetson - Alto & Bass Saxophones Greg Fox - Drums Shahzad Ismaily - Synths Toby Summerfield - Guitar
EX EYE Track Listing: 1.Xenolith: The Anvil 2.Opposition/Perihelion; The Coil 3.Anaitis Hymnal; The Akrose Disc 4.Form Constant; The Grid
EX EYE Live performances: August 16 Baltimore, MD @ The Ottobar August 17 Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter August 18 Brooklyn, NY @ Saint Vitus August 20 Portland, ME @ Space Top photo by: Scott Irvine
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