Locrian (band)

{{Short description|American experimental music/drone rock band}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Locrian

| image = File:Locrian PromotionalPhoto.jpg

| landscape = yes

| caption = Locrian (left to right): Terence Hannum, André Foisy, Steven Hess

| origin = Chicago, Illinois, U.S.

| genre = {{hlist|Doom metal|drone|noise|black metal|ambient |electronic}}

| years_active = 2005–present

| label = Relapse, Profound Lore

| associated_acts = Pan American, Mamiffer, Christoph Heemann, House of Low Culture, Nachtmystium, Yakuza

| website =

| current_members = André Foisy
Terence Hannum
Steven Hess

}}

Locrian is an experimental music/drone rock band which formed in Chicago, Illinois, United States in late 2005Downing, Andy (2009) "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/2009/06/05/locrian-plays-in-the-space-between-beauty-horror/ Disturbing But Memorable Drone]", Chicago Tribune, June 5, 2009. and is currently based in Chicago and Baltimore, Maryland.{{cite web|last1=Stosuy|first1=Brandon (July 31, 2015)|title=Locrian's Ode To Extinction|url=http://pitchfork.com/features/show-no-mercy/9695-locrians-ode-to-extinction/|website=Pitchfork|date=31 July 2015 |accessdate=6 February 2017}} The band features Terence Hannum (synthesizers, vocals, tape loops), Steven Hess (drums, electronics), and André Foisy (electric, 12-string, acoustic guitars, tape loops, and electronics).{{cite web|last1=Rivadavia|first1=Eduardo|title=Locrian Biography|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/locrian-mn0001603154/biography|website=All Music|accessdate=6 February 2017}} The group incorporates influences from multiple genres including ambient, black metal, noise, drone, industrial, and electronics,{{cite web|last1=Ludwig|first1=Jamie (June 18, 2015)|title=Locrian Ponders Man's Inevitable Extinction on New Album, 'Infinite Dissolution|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/locrian-infinite-dissolution/ |website=Noisey |date=18 June 2015 |access-date=6 February 2017}} and cite One Eyed God Prophecy, Uranus,{{cite web |last1=Masters |first1=Marc |last2=Currin |first2=Grayson |title=The Out Door: Keeping Indie Weird: Locrian Darken Their Darkness|url=http://pitchfork.com/features/the-out-door/7790-the-out-door-2/?page=2 |website=Pitchfork |date=16 April 2010 |accessdate=6 February 2017}} Yes, Genesis,{{cite web|last1=Terich|first1=Jeff|title=Extinction Agenda: An interview with Locrian|url=http://www.treblezine.com/24898-locrian-interview-extinction-agenda/|website=Treble|date=17 August 2015 |accessdate=6 February 2017}} Brian Eno, and Robert Fripp as influences.{{cite web|last1=Norton|first1=Justin (July 24, 2013)|title=Inside The Shredder's Studio #7: André Foisy Of Locrian|url=http://decibelmagazine.com/blog/featured/inside-the-shredders-studio-7-andre-foisy-of-locrian|website=Deciblog|accessdate=6 February 2017}}

Locrian lyrics and artwork evoke dystopic and apocalyptic imagery.

To date, Locrian have released eight studio albums, three collaborative albums, and numerous limited edition releases.

History

Locrian was formed in late 2005 by André Foisy and Terence Hannum, who had previously played together in Unlucky Atlas.Rivadavia, Eduardo "[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=locrian-p1134816/biography|pure_url=yes}} Locrian Biography]", Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-11-27.Currin, Grayson (2010) "[http://pitchfork.com/features/the-out-door/7790-the-out-door-2/2/ The Out Door: Locrian Darken Their Darkness]", Pitchfork Media, April 16, 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-27. Foisy is originally from Northern New York, while Hannum is from Florida. The group has released over 20 recordings in their relatively short lifespan, on labels such as Small Doses, Bloodlust!, and At War With False Noise, as well as on the group's private label Land of Decay.

In 2009, the band released their first studio album, Drenched Lands. The album was met with acclaim from the Chicago Tribune, the Chicago Reader, and Rock-A-Rolla magazine. Locrian followed its release with a U.S. tour, including a special Pitchfork Media sponsored 'Show No Mercy' show in New York City, NY."[http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2009/06/show_no_mercys.html Show No Mercy's Eclectic Lineup for July]", brooklynvegan.com, June 3, 2009. Retrieved 2010-11-27. Their 2009 Rain of Ashes release features two 30-minute-long tracks recorded live at the University of Maryland's radio station WMUC.Raymer, Miles (2009) "[http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/local-release-roundup/Content?oid=1231477 Local Release Roundup]", Chicago Reader, November 12, 2009. Retrieved 2010-11-27. A second album, Territories, was released in 2010, which took the band in a more rock-oriented direction, featuring guest appearances from members of Nachtmystium, Bloodyminded, Yakuza, and Velnias,"[http://stereogum.com/340382/locrian-the-columnless-arcade/franchises/haunting-the-chapel/ Locrian – "The Columnless Arcade"]", stereogum.com, April 14, 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-27. and this was followed by a third, The Crystal World, later the same year, the title coming from a J. G. Ballard novel."[http://ihrtn.net/locrian-interview/ Locrian Interview]", I Heart Noise, November 18, 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-27.

In 2010, drummer Steven Hess joined the group as a permanent member. The group's first recording with Hess was The Crystal World.

Locrian provided the soundtrack to Scott Treleaven's film piece The Last 7 Words featuring Genesis P-Orridge.

In addition to playing in the band, Terence Hannum is an installation artist who exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago in 2007, and at the Peeler Art Center in 2010."[http://www.mcachicago.org/exhibitions/exh_detail.php?id=159 Terence Hannum February 3-25, 2007] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091031011657/http://www.mcachicago.org/exhibitions/exh_detail.php?id=159 |date=2009-10-31 }}", Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago. Retrieved 2010-11-27.Freske, Will (2010) "[https://archive.today/20110716232457/http://media.www.thedepauw.com/media/storage/paper912/news/2010/11/05/Features/Art-Galleries.At.Peeler.A.Look.Inside.The.Planning.Production.Of.The.Semesters.E-3955129.shtml Art galleries at Peeler: A look inside the planning, production of the semester's exhibits]", The DePauw, November 5, 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-27. Hannum and Foisy formerly taught at Columbia College Chicago. Currently, Hannum teaches at Stevenson University.{{cite web|title=SUTV Now Playing - Faculty Focus: Terence Hannum|url=http://www.stevenson.edu/sutv/faculty-focus-terence-hannum|website=Stevenson University|accessdate=7 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207113709/http://www.stevenson.edu/sutv/faculty-focus-terence-hannum|archive-date=7 February 2017|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

The band was signed to Relapse Records in 2012.{{cite web |url=http://nefariousrealm.com/homenew/?p=4292 |title=LOCRIAN Sign To Relapse Records |publisher=Nefarious Realm |date=2012-03-22 |accessdate=2013-06-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150812050402/http://nefariousrealm.com/homenew/?p=4292 |archive-date=2015-08-12 |url-status=dead }}

Musical style

The band's music was described by Allmusic as an "eclectic mixture of black metal, electronics, drone, and noise rock".Rivadavia, Eduardo (2010) "[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=territories-r1738937/review|pure_url=yes}} Territories Review]", Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-11-27. Allmusic writer Ned Raggett also identified progressive rock influences on The Crystal World.Raggett, Ned (2010) "[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=the-crystal-world-r1967407/review|pure_url=yes}} The Crystal World Review]", Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-11-27. The band have identified krautrock and 1990s death metal as influences.

Members

André Foisy – guitar, bass, percussion
Terence Hannum – vocals, synthesizers, organs, tapes, guitar
Steven Hess – drums, percussion, electronics{{cite web|last1=Currin|first1=Grayson|title=Locrian - Infinite Dissolution|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/20724-infinite-dissolution/|website=Pitchfork|accessdate=3 February 2017}}

Discography

Image:Locrian_Burger_Kuma's_Too.jpg, named their December 2013 special after Locrian.{{cite web|title=LOCRIAN-10oz burger, garlic puree, braised short rib, sautéed carrots and celery, horseradish creme,BBQ potato chips.|url=https://twitter.com/KumasToo/status/407950525879947265|website=Kuma's Too Twitter Account|accessdate=23 March 2017}}]]