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.
Dust
Kylesa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Walking around us
They mean nothing
Candles in the dark
Every speck of dust
In this universe
Floating around us
All the blank faces
Walking around us
They mean nothing
Candles in the dark
Every speck of dust
In this universe,
Floating around us
Candles in the dark
Every speck of dust
In this universe,
Floating around us
Candles in the dark
Every mistake I've made,
I would make again
If that is what it took
To be where I am
The lyrics of Kylesa's song Dust are poetic yet cryptic. The repeated phrase "all the blank faces walking around us, they mean nothing, candles in the dark" seems to suggest a sense of detachment and insignificance of human existence in the grand scheme of things. The metaphor of "candles in the dark" implies fragility, temporality, and illumination amidst obscurity. The next phrase, "every speck of dust in this universe floating around us" reinforces the idea that human beings are but tiny particles in a vast and eternal cosmos. The repetition of these two verses creates a hypnotic effect and conveys a sense of helplessness and resignation.
The last verse, "every mistake I've made, I would make again if that is what it took to be where I am" provides a stark contrast from the first part of the song. It seems to suggest a sense of acceptance and determination to live with one's choices and the consequences they bring. The lyrics suggest that despite the lack of significance of human existence in the universe, we still have the power to make important choices that shape our lives. The assertion that one would make the same mistakes again if it meant being where they are seems to suggest a sense of contentment with where one is in life, no matter the cost.
In summary, Kylesa's song Dust is a cryptic and contemplative piece that delves on the insignificance of human existence while also emphasizing the importance of personal choices and resilience.
Line by Line Meaning
All the blank faces
People around us with emotionless expressions
Walking around us
Moving aimlessly without purpose
They mean nothing
They have no significant impact on our lives
Candles in the dark
Areas of hope and light in the midst of darkness
Every speck of dust
Tiny particles that are insignificant in the grand scheme of things
In this universe
Within the vast space that surrounds us
Floating around us
Moving without direction, lacking purpose or importance
All the blank faces
People around us with emotionless expressions
Walking around us
Moving aimlessly without purpose
They mean nothing
They have no significant impact on our lives
Candles in the dark
Areas of hope and light in the midst of darkness
Every speck of dust
Tiny particles that are insignificant in the grand scheme of things
In this universe
Within the vast space that surrounds us
Floating around us
Moving without direction, lacking purpose or importance
Every speck of dust
Tiny particles that are insignificant in the grand scheme of things
In this universe
Within the vast space that surrounds us
Floating around us
Moving without direction, lacking purpose or importance
Every mistake I've made,
Regrets that have resulted from the choices I've made
I would make again
I would choose the same path despite the negative outcome
If that is what it took
To achieve my current position or outlook on life
To be where I am
To reach a state of contentment or satisfaction
Contributed by Kaitlyn W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Bob Lopez
I forgot how good this album was, a really good jam!
Hanna Holub
such a pity they don't tour anymore