PSOTY

{{Short description|English post-metal/post-rock band}}

{{Use British English|date=June 2023}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = PSOTY

| image = PSOTY.jpg

| image_size =

| landscape = yes

| alt = four musicians in the forest

| caption = PSOTY in April 2019. From left to right: Steve McKenna, Dale Vinten, Scott Gowan and Adrian Lawson.

| alias = {{hlist|P S O T Y|Pet Slimmers of the Year}}

| origin = Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England

| discography = PSOTY discography

| genre = {{hlist|Post-metal

{{Cite web |last=Islander |date=October 4, 2019 |title=Best of British 2019: Cognizance / PSOTY / Torpor |url=https://www.nocleansinging.com/2019/10/04/best-of-british-2019-cognizance-psoty-torpor/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725190617/https://www.nocleansinging.com/2019/10/04/best-of-british-2019-cognizance-psoty-torpor/ |archive-date=July 25, 2021 |access-date=March 9, 2023 |website=No Clean Singing |language=en-US}}|post-rock}}

| years_active = 2008–present (on hiatus since 2019)

| label = {{hlist|Abridged Pause|Anchor|Back on Black|Candlelight|Lost Children|Rowdy Farrago|Silent Flow|Spinefarm|Universal}}

| current_members = * Scott Gowan

• Steve McKenna
• Dale Vinten
• Adrian Lawson

| past_members =

| website =

}}

PSOTY (originally known as Pet Slimmers of the Year) are an English post-metal/post-rock band from Peterborough, Cambridgeshire.{{Cite web |last=Bergman |first=Keith |date=January 13, 2014 |title=Pet Slimmers of the Year Sign to Candlelight Records |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/pet-slimmers-of-the-year-sign-to-candlelight-records/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201154552/https://blabbermouth.net/news/pet-slimmers-of-the-year-sign-to-candlelight-records |archive-date=February 1, 2023 |access-date=February 1, 2023 |website=Blabbermouth |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Bargiela |first=Sarah |date=July 11, 2012 |title=Introducing: Pet Slimmers of the Year |url=https://entertainment-focus.com/news/introducing-pet-slimmers-of-the-year |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120714024149/https://entertainment-focus.com/news/introducing-pet-slimmers-of-the-year |archive-date=July 14, 2012 |access-date=February 1, 2023 |website=MUZU.TV}}{{Cite web |last=Speer |first=Matt |date=October 16, 2018 |title=Sound Bite: PSOTY |url=https://www.earnutrition.co.uk/sound-bite-p-s-o-t-y/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190515042146/http://www.earnutrition.co.uk/sound-bite-p-s-o-t-y/ |archive-date=May 15, 2019 |access-date=February 1, 2023 |website=Ear Nutrition |language=en-GB}} The musical group was founded in January 2008, by guitarist and vocalist Scott Gowan, bass guitarist Steve McKenna, and drummer Dale Vinten,{{Cite web |last=Henderson |first=Tim |date=January 13, 2014 |title=Pet Slimmers of the Year Ink Deal With Candlelight Records |url=https://bravewords.com/news/pet-slimmers-of-the-year-ink-deal-with-candlelight-records |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201155207/https://bravewords.com/news/pet-slimmers-of-the-year-ink-deal-with-candlelight-records |archive-date=February 1, 2023 |access-date=February 1, 2023 |website=BraveWords |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Lawson |first=Dom |date=January 13, 2014 |title=New Music Monday: Pet Slimmers of the Year |url=https://www.metalhammer.co.uk/features/new-music-monday-pet-slimmers-of-the-year/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140124143714/http://www.metalhammer.co.uk/category/features/ |archive-date=January 24, 2014 |access-date=February 1, 2023 |website=Metal Hammer}}{{Cite web |last=Trueman |first=Gary |date=April 4, 2014 |title=Spotlight Band: Pet Slimmers of the Year |url=http://metalmouth.net/2014/04/spotlight-band-pet-slimmers-of-the-year/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140425064600/http://metalmouth.net/2014/04/spotlight-band-pet-slimmers-of-the-year/ |archive-date=April 25, 2014 |access-date=February 1, 2023 |website=MetalMouth}} who had previously played together in the progressive/post-rock band A Thousand Fires. Second guitarist Adrian Lawson joined the band in October 2016. The band took its name from an annual award listed in the Schott's Almanac reference book.{{Cite web |last=Skibeat |first=John |date=April 26, 2014 |title=Pet Slimmers of the Year - Fragments of Uniforms (Candlelight) |url=https://avenoctum.com/2014/04/26/pet-slimmers-of-the-year-fragments-of-uniforms-candlelight/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524222758/https://avenoctum.com/2014/04/26/pet-slimmers-of-the-year-fragments-of-uniforms-candlelight/ |archive-date=May 24, 2023 |access-date=May 24, 2023 |website=Ave Noctum |language=en-US}} In August 2014, the band's named was shortened to the acronym PSOTY, taken from the initials of Pet Slimmers of the Year.{{Cite magazine |last=Santos |first=José Carlos |editor-last=Yardley |editor-first=Miranda |title=Pet Slimmers of the Year: What's in a Name? |magazine=Terrorizer |location=London, England |publisher=Dark Arts Ltd. |publication-date=April 24, 2014 |issue=247}}{{Cite web |last=Julien |first=Alexandre |author-link=Alexander Julien |date=April 10, 2016 |title=PSOTY Interview |url=https://www.abridgedpause.com/psoty-interview |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201164214/https://www.abridgedpause.com/psoty-interview |archive-date=February 1, 2023 |access-date=February 1, 2023 |website=Abridged Pause Recordings |language=en-US}}

After recording a couple of demos (later released as the EP Why Won't You Die), the band released its eponymous EP in January 2009,{{Cite web |date=August 26, 2009 |title=Pet Slimmers of the Year – Pet Slimmers of the Year EP |url=http://www.thesirenssound.com/2009/08/26/pet-slimmers-of-the-year-pet-slimmers-of-the-year-ep/ |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090906041453/http://www.thesirenssound.com/2009/08/26/pet-slimmers-of-the-year-pet-slimmers-of-the-year-ep/ |archive-date=September 6, 2009 |access-date=April 23, 2023 |website=TheSirensSound}}{{Cite web |last=Rehbein |first=Peter A. |date=22 January 2009 |title=Pet Slimmers of the Year – Drei mal Bestnote |url=http://www.schallgrenzen.de/pet-slimmers-of-the-year-drei-mal-bestnote/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100627074258/http://www.schallgrenzen.de/pet-slimmers-of-the-year-drei-mal-bestnote/ |archive-date=27 June 2010 |access-date=4 June 2023 |website=Schallgrenzen}} followed by the ...And the Sky Fell EP in June 2010, both on the British netlabel Lost Children Net Label.{{Cite web |last=Rehbein |first=Peter A. |date=29 June 2010 |title=Pet Slimmers of the Year – …And the Sky Fell |url=http://www.schallgrenzen.de/pet-slimmers-of-the-year-and-the-sky-fell/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100818192052/http://www.schallgrenzen.de/pet-slimmers-of-the-year-and-the-sky-fell/ |archive-date=18 August 2010 |access-date=4 June 2023 |website=Schallgrenzen}}{{Cite web |last=Masteller |first=Ryan |date=6 September 2010 |title=Crate-Digging: Pet Slimmers of the Year – And the Sky Fell |url=http://criticalmassesmedia.com/2010/09/crate-digging-pet-slimmers-of-the-year-and-the-sky-fell/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120816024855/http://criticalmassesmedia.com/2010/09/crate-digging-pet-slimmers-of-the-year-and-the-sky-fell/ |archive-date=16 August 2012 |access-date=4 June 2023 |website=Critical Masses}} Both Lost Children Net Label EPs were later re-issued on CDs by the band.{{Cite web |last=Arnold |first=Ian |date=May 29, 2012 |title=Pet Slimmers of the Year release EP for free. |url=http://www.bringthenoiseuk.com/201205/music/news/news-pet-slimmers-of-the-year-release-ep-for-free |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412182611/http://www.bringthenoiseuk.com/201205/music/news/news-pet-slimmers-of-the-year-release-ep-for-free |archive-date=April 12, 2016 |access-date=February 1, 2023 |website=Bring the Noise UK}}{{Cite magazine |last=Alves |first=Luis |editor-last=Costa |editor-first=Joel |title=Pet Slimmers of the Year: Expanding Horizons |url=https://issuu.com/againstmag/docs/against_07 |magazine=Against Magazine |location=Ovar, Portugal |publisher=Against Magazine |publication-date=March 2014 |issue=7 |pages=24–26 |via=Issuu}} Pet Slimmers of the Year contributed the exclusive song "Brujas" to the Canadian record label Abridged Pause Recordings' Various Artists compilation Diluvian Temperals, which was released in August 2009.{{Cite web |last=Julien |first=Alexandre |author-link=Alexander Julien |date=August 24, 2009 |title=Diluvian Temperals (Abridged Pause Recordings) |url=http://www.abridgedpause.com/diluvian-temperals |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090925015450/http://abridgedpause.com/releases/diluvian-temperals/ |archive-date=September 25, 2009 |access-date=February 4, 2023 |website=Abridged Pause Recordings}}{{Cite web |last=Julien |first=Alexandre |author-link=Alexander Julien |date=August 2009 |title=Pet Slimmers of the Year |url=http://abridgedpause.com/artists/pet-slimmers-of-the-year/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110918073552/http://abridgedpause.com/artists/pet-slimmers-of-the-year/ |archive-date=September 18, 2011 |access-date=February 4, 2023 |website=Abridged Pause Recordings}} The band later contributed another exclusive song, "Untitled," to Abridged Pause Recordings' Various Artists compilation Billowing Tempestus.{{Cite web |last=Julien |first=Alexandre |author-link=Alexander Julien |date=January 5, 2016 |title=Abridged Pause Recordings 2016 news update |url=http://www.abridgedpause.com/abridged-pause-recordings-2016-news-update |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105195417/http://www.abridgedpause.com/abridged-pause-recordings-2016-news-update |archive-date=January 5, 2016 |access-date=February 4, 2023 |website=Abridged Pause Recordings |language=en-US}}

In August 2013, Pet Slimmers of the Year released the single "Days Since I Disappeared" through Anchor Music, on the strength of which the band was signed to a three-album deal by British extreme metal record label Candlelight Records.{{Cite web |last=Mitsakos |first=Yiannis |date=January 17, 2014 |title=Pet Slimmers of the Year: Sign to Candlelight Records |url=http://www.metal-temple.com/site/news/view/general_news/pet-slimmers-of-the.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524221737/http://www.metal-temple.com/site/news/view/general_news/pet-slimmers-of-the.htm |archive-date=May 24, 2023 |access-date=May 24, 2023 |website=Metal Temple |language=EN}} The song later appeared on the record label's Various Artists compilation Candlelight Records Presents: Legion III, released in April 2014.{{Cite web |last=Islander |date=April 30, 2014 |title=Not Quite Free Shit But Still A Good Deal: A New Candlelight Records Sampler ("Legion III") |url=https://www.nocleansinging.com/2014/04/30/not-quite-free-shit-but-still-a-good-deal-a-new-candlelight-records-sampler-legion-iii/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140805123232/https://www.nocleansinging.com/2014/04/30/not-quite-free-shit-but-still-a-good-deal-a-new-candlelight-records-sampler-legion-iii/ |archive-date=August 5, 2014 |access-date=March 9, 2023 |website=No Clean Singing |language=en-US}} The band's debut full-length album, Fragments of Uniforms, was first released as a limited edition CD through Anchor Music in October 2013, before it was officially released via Candlelight Records on CD and digitally in April 2014. A coloured double-LP version followed on Back on Black Records in June 2014.{{Cite web |last=Flack |first=Christian |date=April 27, 2014 |title=Pet Slimmers of the Year - Fragments of Uniforms Review |url=https://www.metal.de/reviews/pet-slimmers-of-the-year-fragments-of-uniforms-57609/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201160608/https://www.metal.de/reviews/pet-slimmers-of-the-year-fragments-of-uniforms-57609/ |archive-date=February 1, 2023 |access-date=February 1, 2023 |website=Metal.de}}{{Cite web |last=Shrum |first=Tony |date=April 3, 2014 |title=Exclusive Stream: Pet Slimmers of the Year – "Mare Imbrium" |url=http://newnoisemagazine.com/exclusive-stream-pet-slimmers-year-mare-imbrium/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140716222253/http://newnoisemagazine.com/exclusive-stream-pet-slimmers-year-mare-imbrium/ |archive-date=July 16, 2014 |access-date=February 1, 2023 |website=New Noise Magazine}}

In 2016, PSTOY joined the Spinefarm Records and Universal Music Group roster,{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Aaron |date=July 30, 2019 |title="We're all about the feels." – PSOTY |url=https://wavebyte.co.uk/2019/07/30/were-all-about-the-feels-psoty/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807175959/https://wavebyte.co.uk/2019/07/30/were-all-about-the-feels-psoty/ |archive-date=August 7, 2020 |access-date=February 4, 2023 |website=Wave Byte}} and followed up with its sophomore full-length album, Sunless, released on CD, double-LP and digitally in September 2019.{{Cite web |last=Lawson |first=Dom |date=September 15, 2019 |title=Reviews: PSOTY - Sunless (Candlelight / Spinefarm) |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/cdreviews/sunless/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113103304/https://blabbermouth.net/reviews/sunless |archive-date=January 13, 2023 |access-date=February 1, 2023 |website=Blabbermouth |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Milligan |first=Shaun |date=September 11, 2019 |title=PSOTY - "Sunless" |url=https://everythingisnoise.net/reviews/psoty-sunless/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200419013113/https://everythingisnoise.net/reviews/psoty-sunless/ |archive-date=April 19, 2020 |access-date=February 1, 2023 |website=Everything Is Noise |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Rodrigues |first=Luis |date=August 4, 2019 |title=Album Review: PSOTY – Sunless |url=https://www.moshville.co.uk/reviews/album-review/2019/08/album-review-psoty-sunless/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810074653/https://www.moshville.co.uk/reviews/album-review/2019/08/album-review-psoty-sunless/ |archive-date=August 10, 2020 |access-date=February 1, 2023 |website=The Moshville Times |language=en-GB}} The album was preceded by the singles "Oil Blood", released in July 2019,{{Cite web |last=Weaver |first=James |date=July 30, 2019 |title=PSOTY announce new album 'Sunless' |url=https://distortedsoundmag.com/psoty-announce-new-album-sunless/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731102201/https://distortedsoundmag.com/psoty-announce-new-album-sunless/ |archive-date=July 31, 2019 |access-date=February 4, 2023 |website=Distorted Sound Magazine |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Speer |first=Matt |date=July 30, 2019 |title=P S O T Y - 'Oil Blood' (Single) + 'Sunless' Pre-Order |url=https://www.earnutrition.co.uk/p-s-o-t-y-oil-blood-single-sunless-pre-order/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730150541/http://www.earnutrition.co.uk/p-s-o-t-y-oil-blood-single-sunless-pre-order/ |archive-date=July 30, 2019 |access-date=February 4, 2023 |website=Ear Nutrition |language=en-GB}} and "King of Ephyra", released a week ahead of the album in September 2019.{{Cite web |date=September 10, 2019 |title=Listen: 'King of Ephyra' by PSOTY |url=https://auralaggravation.com/2019/09/10/listen-king-of-ephyra-by-psoty/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923194431/https://auralaggravation.com/2019/09/10/listen-king-of-ephyra-by-psoty/ |archive-date=September 23, 2020 |access-date=March 9, 2023 |website=Aural Aggravation |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Khechoyan |first=Anna |date=September 10, 2019 |title=PSOTY Share New Single 'King of Ephyra' |url=https://www.candlelightrecords.co.uk/psoty-share-new-single-king-of-ephyra/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918112221/https://www.candlelightrecords.co.uk/psoty-share-new-single-king-of-ephyra/ |archive-date=September 18, 2020 |access-date=March 9, 2023 |website=Candlelight Records |language=en}}

Due to the band members living in various countries of Europe at the time Sunless was released (and during its composition), and with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic shortly afterward, PSOTY was unable to tour and only played a single concert to promote the album. The album-release show was held at the Nambucca in London on 7 December 2019. It remains the band's most recent live event, and the band has been put on hold since then.{{Cite web |last=Castles |first=Paul |date=17 September 2019 |title=PSOTY – Sunless |url=https://www.themidlandsrocks.com/psoty-sunless/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129020700/https://www.themidlandsrocks.com/psoty-sunless |archive-date=29 November 2020 |access-date=4 June 2023 |website=The Midlands Rocks |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=22 July 2019 |title=7th December {{!}} Hundred Year Old Man / E-L-R (CH) / PSOTY / Flies Are Spies From Hell + DJs |url=http://chaostheorymusic.co.uk/7th-december-hundred-year-old-man-e-l-r-psoty-djs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190903235454/https://chaostheorymusic.co.uk/7th-december-hundred-year-old-man-e-l-r-psoty-djs/ |archive-date=3 September 2019 |access-date=8 June 2023 |website=Chaos Theory Music |language=en-GB}}