On April 28, 2016, the band announced in Facebook post that they would be going on an indefinite hiatus, stating, "We have collectively decided to take a hiatus with no set date to reconvene.
Kylesa is a metal group that borrows elements of hardcore punk, psychedelic rock, stoner rock, sludge metal, and speed metal. They have two singers, Phillip and Laura. Kylesa formed in Savannah in 2001, taking their name from "kilesa mara", a Buddhist term denoting delusory mental states.
Guitarist and singer Phillip Cope, bassist Brian Duke and drummer Christian Depken were former members of the Savannah sludge metal act Damad, which had released two albums in the '90s. Philip Cope has been described as the Savannah "metal scene's godfather." He began playing in hardcore punk groups in the late 1980s, and in 1992 booked groups such as Buzzoven and Neurosis at a local all-ages club. From 1993 to 2001, Cope played in the group Damad. Pat Mathis of the Passive Fist label said that Damad "established a sound that's stuck-- that whole heavy, doomy Southern kind of metal. When you've got these old punk guys who listen to the Allman Brothers and start a metal band, that's kind of what you get." Damad changed their name to Kylesa in 2001 with the addition of Laura Pleasants, a native of North Carolina who attended the Savannah College of Art and Design.
After recording the majority of their first record (S/T on Prank) in May 2001, Kylesa played their first show with Mastodon and Cream Abdul Babar in Savannah, Georgia on June 2, 2001. On June 6, 2001, Brian Duke died from an epileptic seizure during the course of the night. The band decided to finish the recording in Brian's honor, wrote and recorded two more songs (where local bass player and friend Michael Redmond stepped in and played bass). The self-titled record was released about one year later on Prank Records when artwork by Pushead was completed. Prior to the full LP, a single limited 7" was released on Prank also with Pushead art. The Pushead-designed Band Logo from these releases has been used on all the band's merchandise and releases ever since.
Replacing Duke with bassist and singer Corey Barhorst, the band wrote and recorded a split 7" with Memento Mori, on Hyperrealist, and a split full length with Cream Abdul Babar from Florida, on At A Loss Recordings. These records came out immediately following the release on Prank, although they were recorded much later, The long wait for artwork by Pushead delaying the release of the S/T LP. More singles and a placeholder EP, 2004's No Ending 110 Degree Heat Index followed right before Depken left the group.
Kylesa signed with the independent metal label Prosthetic Records and released their second proper album, To Walk a Middle Course, in 2005 with drummer Brandon Baltzley.
Following the release of that album, Baltzley left the group, replaced by a pair of drummers, Jeff Porter and Carl McGinley. Kylesa's third album, Time Will Fuse Its Worth, was released on Halloween 2006. Eric Hernandez replaced Porter and appears on Static Tensions, released in 2009. Two songs on this album were inspired by the shooting of Jason Statts, a Savannah musician. They toured with Mastodon after the release of this album, whose guitarist, Bill Kelliher, said that “ We took Kylesa on tour because we love those guys and have been hanging out with them for years. They blew a lot of people's expectations out of the water.”
Journalist David Peisner of Spin described them as "dark psych-metal titans," practicing an "aggressive [sound], but with a hazy, stoner vibe that suggests a strange amalgamation of Black Sabbath, Black Flag, and early Pink Floyd." As of 2010, they have sold 75,000 albums. In 2010 they signed to the Season of Mist records label to release the album Spiral Shadow on October 26 that year. A rarities compilation album titled From the Vaults, Vol. 1 was released later that year.
Their sixth album, Ultraviolet, was released through Season of Mist in May 2013. The record is said to be darker lyrically and sonically than previous works, containing more vocals from singer/guitarist Laura Pleasants. The band embarked on a full North America headlining tour to promote the release with direct support from Blood Ceremony, White Hills and Lazer Wulf. In October 2015, the group released their seventh album Exhausting Fire through Season of Mist.
Crowded Road
Kylesa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A crowded road ends before it begins
Struggle to survive, hands try to grasp
If told like it is, who will listen?
A crowded road ends before it begins
A crowded road ends before it begins
If told like it is, who will listen?
A crowded road ends before it begins
Pages and pages of rambling
Expectations when there are none
Tricks put to use
A crowded road ends before it begins
The opening lines of "Crowded Road" by Kylesa immediately set a bleak yet thought-provoking tone for the rest of the song. The metaphor of a crowded road ending before it even begins is a powerful one, suggesting that even when there is a path available to follow, the struggles of survival can be overwhelming and ultimately lead to defeat. The image of hands grasping for something to hold onto emphasizes the desperation and futility of the situation.
The lyrics also touch on the idea of speaking out and being heard. Despite the harsh realities of life, if someone were to "tell it like it is," would anyone even listen? The repetition of the chorus emphasizes this question, highlighting the frustration and hopelessness of a situation where even the truth may not make a difference.
The last lines of the song shift to a more abstract focus. The "pages and pages of rambling" could refer to the countless attempts to navigate the crowded road and find a way forward. However, the "tricks put to use" suggest a more sinister plot, one where those in power manipulate and deceive to maintain their control. This adds another layer of complexity to the song, connecting personal struggle with larger social and political issues.
Overall, "Crowded Road" is a powerful song that speaks to the challenges of navigating a harsh world, both individually and collectively. It asks difficult questions and doesn't offer easy answers, making it a song that stays with the listener long after it ends.
Line by Line Meaning
A crowded road ends before it begins
The path ahead is uncertain and difficult to tread, making it hard to achieve success right from the start.
Struggle to survive, hands try to grasp
Life is difficult and people have to constantly fight to survive and grab opportunities that come their way.
If told like it is, who will listen?
Even if people speak the truth, others may not be willing to listen to their advice or opinions.
Pages and pages of rambling
People often talk or write aimlessly, without any clear purpose or direction.
Expectations when there are none
People often have high expectations even when there is no basis for them, causing disappointment and frustration.
Tricks put to use
People may use cunning or deceitful means to get ahead, even if it means sacrificing their morals or values.
Contributed by Andrew L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.