Moss

Moss is a three-piece English doom metal band that formed in 2000. Influenced by H. P. Lovecraft and the occult, songs usually average the 20 minute mark and incorporate dense and otherworldly atmospheres. Despite the use of extreme bass frequencies, Moss features no bass guitarist.

Biography

Demo Years

Formed in Southampton at the end of 2000, the band consists of Olly Pearson (vocals, Hammond organ), Dominic Finbow (guitar) and Chris Chantler (drums). Moss self-released several demo recordings during its early years, the first being in 2001, and also appeared on a number of split records and compilation albums with bands such as Wolfmangler, Nadja, Unearthly Trance, Grief and Torture Wheel.

Live performances by the band are rare, the first gig being on a benefit alldayer during the summer of 2002, with one-off shows in London and Manchester during 2003, bookending the releases of the demos Moss (2001-2003) and Tape of Doom. 2004 saw the most live activity to date; in the summer Moss performed for the first time in Europe at the Ashes to Ashes/Doom to Dust festival over two nights in Ghent, Belgium and Tilburg, Holland. During the winter Moss supported Sunn O))) on a boat, The Thekla. Chantler had temporarily left the band at the start of 2004, replaced by Andy Semmens of Esoteric until august, and then Jon Wilson, with Chantler to return in December 2004 to join the Cthonic Rites writing and rehearsal sessions.

Cthonic Rites

On December 25, 2005 the band released its debut album Cthonic Rites on cd via Aurora Borealis Records. Cthonic Rites was produced/recorded in early 2005 at Chuckalumba Studio by Jus Oborn of veteran UK doom metal band Electric Wizard. Originally limited to a one-time pressing of 1000 copies, Cthonic Rites is currently on its second CD pressing. The first press was available with a live cdr limited to 115 copies, recorded on 20 August 2005 at the Camden Underworld on the 115th birthday of H. P. Lovecraft.

In March 2007 a split 7" single with the French band Monarch was issued on the British doom/psychedelic/punk label Rise Above Records in an edition of 550 copies. On this release, Moss covers the track 'Maimed & Slaughtered' by the British d-beat punk band Discharge. Plans for another split 7", with Japanese d-beaters Disclose, were cancelled with the death of Disclose frontman Kawakami on 5 June. Moss' track 'Crawl (Scrape)' was recorded during the Cthonic Rites sessions and will remain unreleased.

The long delayed expanded vinyl version of Cthonic Rites was released on October 12, 2007 and limited to 1000 copies, 375 of which are a triple vinyl set consisting of the previously self-released extremely limited ep Live Burial. The package featured gatefold and poster artwork by American illustrator Justin Bartlett: http://www.vberkvlt.com. An announcement was also made on the bands' official myspace page that their second album will be recorded in January 2008 and released on Rise Above Records. In addition was the announcement of two shows, which were played in December.

Sub Templum/Tombs of the Blind Drugged

The album title of Sub Templum was announced via the band's myspace, with a release on Rise Above Records to follow on May 26, 2008. The album was eventually released worldwide in June on cd and lp via Rise Above in Europe and Candlelight in the US. Sub Templum was recorded at Foel Studio, Wales and was again produced by Jus Oborn.

In December 2008 Moss announced via myspace that they will release an EP of new music in 2009. The title was revealed as Tombs of the Blind Drugged, again recorded at Foel Studio one year after 'Sub Templum', and was released in June on 10" vinyl consisting of two tracks. A cd version was also released, adding as bonus tracks 'Eternal Return' and the Discharge cover 'Maimed and Slaughtered'.

Current Activity

'Eternal Return' was released as a 12" single in special packaging in early December 2009. This was a co-release between Superfi Records and Fuck Yoga.

Moss were also announced as a performer for 2010's Roadburn Festival. This show will also celebrate the bands' 10th anniversary.

Discography

Compilation Appearances

• "Dreams of What Life Could Have Been" cd (Psychedoomelic Records, 2003)
• "Humanless" cd (Humanless, 2003)
• "Chariots Arrive Again II" cd (Foreshadow Productions, 2004)
• "Slowmo Music Vol I" cd (Slowmo Music, 2004)
• "Oaken Throne" cd (Oaken Throne, 2007)
• "Bad Acid Tab6" cd (Bad Acid, 2008)

External links

• Official Moss MySpace, including samples
• Rise Above Records