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.
Perception
Kylesa Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
An unstable judgement
Perception of severity
Insidious eye
Without sight
Crossing wires
Perception of severity
We are together never alone
Place my hand unto you
Feel no shame
Hover and suffer
Over one
Lost ending soul
One reason to fall
Is to rise
Break down, break down
One false move
Everything changes
No second chance
The song Perception by Kylesa seems to be about the inner turmoil and mental struggles that an individual goes through in life. The lyrics suggest that the singer has been entrapped with years of thoughts that have led to an unstable judgment. The perception of severity in life has become a tormenting factor in the singer's life, and the "insidious eye" suggests that it's difficult to escape this perception. However, in the darkness of this perception, there seems to be a glimmer of hope, as the singer feels that he is not alone, and the "hover and suffer" suggest that others too can relate to his struggles.
The phrase "one reason to fall is to rise" implies that the singer has hit rock bottom, but yet there's a way for him to rise up again. However, there's a sense of urgency to act fast, as "one false move, everything changes," and there's no guarantee of a second chance. The overall theme of the song seems to be about the perils of perception and how it can impact one's life, but a sense of community and hope can provide a way out of the darkness.
Line by Line Meaning
Years of thought trapped inside
A prolonged period of thinking and over-analyzing has led to a mental blockage that prevents taking action
An unstable judgement
The inability to make a reasonable decision due to an emotionally-charged mind
Perception of severity
The interpretation of a situation as more intense or dangerous than it actually is
Insidious eye
A negative, harmful or critical view towards oneself, causing self-destructive behaviour
Without sight
Being oblivious or unaware of one's surroundings, leading to a lack of direction
Crossing wires
The confusion or interference experienced when different beliefs or ideas conflict with one another
We are together never alone
Despite feeling isolated, we are all connected as a collective, and we should seek help and support from others
Some other time
Delaying or avoiding responsibilities and difficult decisions until some unspecified point in the future
Place my hand unto you
Reaching out or offering comfort and support to others in times of need
Feel no shame
Embracing one's vulnerabilities and imperfections, without fearing judgement or criticism
Hover and suffer
Being indecisive or inactive, leading to prolonged discomfort or hardship
Over one
Prioritizing oneself over others without regard for their well-being or feelings
Lost ending soul
A feeling of confusion or detachment from one's identity or purpose, leading to a sense of hopelessness
One reason to fall / Is to rise
Experiencing failure or adversity can often lead to personal growth and resilience
Break down, break down
A plea for help or a release from overwhelming emotions or burdens
One false move
A single mistake or misjudgment can have significant consequences, leading to regret or pain
Everything changes
Embracing the impermanence of life, and acknowledging that situations can evolve and transform
No second chance
Recognizing that there may not always be the opportunity to correct mistakes or make amends
Contributed by Violet J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.