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IIVII, a project led by visual artist, multi-instrumentalist, and electro-acoustic composer, Josh Graham, best known for his work with Neurosis, Red Sparowes, Battle Of Mice and A Storm Of Light, is pleased to unveil a brand new video for “Crystalline Beasts”. IIVII focuses on enigmatic cinematic atmospheres, exploring elements of electronica, classical, ambient, drone, and vaporwave that ultimately culminate to a fully immersive listening experience.
2020 brought with it Graham’s most ambitious IIVII output to date with Grinding Teeth and its companion album, Zero Sleep. Where Zero Sleep explores trying to live and trying to sleep, Grinding Teeth leads its listeners through a restless nightmare. The ugly, dark, and disorienting sounds are in direct opposition to the themes and tropes of Zero Sleep, making it a complementary release. Rather than releasing it separately, it was presented as a double release. Both albums tell their own story, but the dialogue between Zero Sleep and Grinding Teeth also tells a bleak tale. The albums have an impressive dynamic range. From subtle and fragile ambient vibes to fierce metallic drones, Graham truly tapped into the whole of his own back catalogue in order to have this story told. It’s a bold and daring, yet captivating effort, where Graham got help from a myriad of friends to conjure up this elaborate and complex world including Sarah Pendleton (SubRosa, The Otolith), Mathilde Smessaert (BARST), Jo Quail, Gregory Simons (Vonnis), Dana Schechter (Insect Ark), Billy Graves (A Storm Of Light), Shane Ocell (Sorxe), Kim Thayil (Soundgarden), and Benjamin Weinman (Dillinger Escape Plan).
Graham comments about “Crystalline Beasts”: “"Crystalline Beasts" is the first IIVII song to explore a metal/black metal landscape, while keeping its base grounded in orchestrated soundscapes. Sarah Pendleton guests on violin, and Gregory Simons is on drums.”
Grinding Teeth is the inspired soundtrack to the true-life love story of Duane and Debra Johnson. Battling multiple health and mental illness issues, Debra Johnson asked her husband, Duane, to remove her from a medical facility so she could die at home. Over the next five days, they had an extended “death party;” smoking methamphetamine, listening to Quiet Riot, and having sex. After Debra died in Duane’s arms, he wrapped her in linen and called the police. When they arrived on scene, Duane was standing naked near the front door, screaming that his wife was dead. The words “Death Parde God Hell” were spray-painted across the door. Touching on themes of love, death, drug use, sex and criminality, Grinding Teeth features guitars, drums, electric violin and cello, lap steel, and electronic instrumentation. Link
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