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{{Short description|American avant-garde metal band}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Kayo Dot
| name = Kayo Dot
| image = Kayodot2.jpg
| background = group_or_band
| caption = Kayo Dot in Santa Cruz, CA
| image = Kayo Dot @ Roadburn 2015 05.jpg
| background = group_or_band
| image_upright = 1.2
| origin = [[Boston, Massachusetts]], [[United States|USA]]
| caption = Kayo Dot performing at [[Roadburn Festival]] 2015
| origin = [[Boston, Massachusetts]], U.S.
| genre = [[Avant-garde metal]]<ref>http://www.avantgarde-metal.com/content/bands2.php?id=25</ref><br>[[Avant-garde rock]]<ref>http://www.kayodot.net/kayodot/index.php?text=bio</ref><br>[[Experimental music]]<br>[[Progressive rock]]<br>[[Postmodern classical music]]<br>[[Post-rock]]<br>[[Chamber music]]<br>[[Free jazz]]
| genre = [[Avant-garde metal]], [[progressive metal]], [[post-rock]], [[chamber music|chamber]]
| years_active = 2003–present
| years_active = 2003–present
| label = [[Hydra Head Records|Hydra Head]]<br />[[Robotic Empire Records|Robotic Empire]]<br />[[Tzadik Records|Tzadik]]<br />[[Holy Roar Records|Holy Roar]]
| label = [[The Flenser]], Ice Level, [[Hydra Head Records|Hydra Head]], [[Robotic Empire Records|Robotic Empire]], [[Tzadik Records|Tzadik]], [[Holy Roar Records|Holy Roar]]
| associated_acts = [[maudlin of the Well]]<br />[[Tartar Lamb (band)|Tartar Lamb]]<br />Toby Driver (as a solo artist)<br />[[Baliset (band)|Baliset]]<br />Ehnahre
| website = [http://www.kayodot.net/ www.kayodot.net]
| website = {{url|kayodot.net}}
| current_members = [[Toby Driver]]<br />Mia Matsumiya<br />David Bodie<br />Dan Means<br />Terran Olson
| current_members = [[Toby Driver]]<br />Greg Massi<br />Jason Byron
| past_members = Jason Byron<br />Greg Massi<br />Sam Gutterman<br />Nicholas Kyte<br />Ryan McGuire<br />Forbes Graham<br />John Carchia<br />D.J. Murray<br />Tom Malone
| past_members = [[Kim Abrams]]<br />Daniel Means<br />[[Mia Matsumiya]]<br />Terran Olson<br />David Bodie<br />Sam Gutterman<br />Nicholas Kyte<br />Tim Byrnes<br />Patrick Wolff<br />Johannes Doepping<br />Russell Greenberg<br />Ryan McGuire<br />Forbes Graham<br />John Carchia<br />D.J. Murray<br />Tom Malone<br />
}}
}}
'''Kayo Dot''' is an American [[avant-rock]]<ref>http://www.kayodot.net/kayodot/index.php?text=bio</ref>/[[experimental music]] group that was formed in 2003 by [[Toby Driver]]. They released their debut album ''[[Choirs of the Eye]]'' on [[John Zorn]]'s [[Tzadik Records]] label that year. Tzadik's descriptive label on that album reads: "Kayo Dot powerfully integrates elements of modern classical composition with the layers of guitars and vocals more common to [[rock and roll|rock]] and metal. With a compositional map that is strict in form yet malleable in execution, Kayo Dot uses a vast array of instrumentation to create an exciting convergence of violence and serenity."


'''Kayo Dot''' is an American [[avant-garde metal]] band. Formed in 2003 by [[Toby Driver]] after the break-up of [[Maudlin of the Well]], they released their debut album ''[[Choirs of the Eye]]'' on [[John Zorn]]'s [[Tzadik Records]] that same year. Since then, Kayo Dot's lineup has drastically changed over the years.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sorroweternal.blogspot.com/2012/02/kayo-dot-interview.html |title=Sorrow Eternal – metal album reviews, interviews and podcasts.: Kayo Dot: The Interview |website=Sorroweternal.blogspot.com |date=February 4, 2012 |access-date=January 11, 2016}}</ref> [[Toby Driver]] is the only founding member of the band still remaining, save for frequent lyrical contributions from former motW member Jason Byron. Up until 2011, the lineup was constantly shifting, and Kayo Dot's sound consistently changed over the years, featuring a wide variety of instrumentation including guitar, drums, bass, [[violin]], [[saxophone]], [[vibraphone]], [[synthesizer]]s, [[clarinet]]s and [[flute]]s. Underground metal audiences warmly received the group upon its early existence, with the 2003 album ''[[Choirs of the Eye]]'' and the 2006 album ''[[Dowsing Anemone with Copper Tongue]]'' both becoming underground hits in the progressive metal scene.
Since then, Kayo Dot's music has undergone several identity shifts, largely influenced by the band's constantly-changing lineup and instrumentation. One predominant element of Driver's compositional voice which remains consistent throughout all of Kayo Dot's output, however, is the band's use of abstract timing and performance cues. This lends to the music the element of "malleability" mentioned in Tzadik's description above.


Over the years, in addition to the rotating lineup and constantly changing sounds, Kayo Dot has been signed to a number of different record labels, [[Tzadik Records|Tzadik]], [[Robotic Empire Records|Robotic Empire]], [[Hydra Head Records|Hydra Head]], Driver's self-release imprint, Ice Level Music, [[The Flenser]], and Prophecy Productions.
The music of Kayo Dot is commonly categorized as post-metal, post-rock, progressive rock, or avant-garde. Their songs involve complex [[instrumentation (music)|instrumentation]] (composed by singer and frontman Driver) and are substantially longer than typical rock songs, usually ranging from 8 to 18 minutes in length.


As of 2021, Kayo Dot has released ten studio albums, one EP and one split: ''[[Choirs of the Eye]]'' in 2003, ''[[Dowsing Anemone with Copper Tongue]]'' as well as ''Kayo Dot/[[Bloody Panda]]'' split in 2006, ''[[Blue Lambency Downward]]'', ''[[Coyote (Kayo Dot album)|Coyote]]'' in 2010, an EP titled ''Stained Glass'' in 2011, ''Gamma Knife'' in 2012 and a double-album ''[[Hubardo]]'' in 2013. ''[[Coffins on Io]]'', the group's seventh album, was released in 2014 via [[The Flenser]]. Their eighth studio album, ''[[Plastic House on Base of Sky]]'', was released in 2016, followed up by their ninth, ''[[Blasphemy (Kayo Dot album)|Blasphemy]]'' in 2019, and latest album, ''[[Moss Grew on the Swords and Plowshares Alike]]'', via [[Prophecy Productions]] on October 29, 2021. It reached the German Top 100 Album Charts for the first time in the week after its release.<ref name="Offizielle Deutsche Charts">{{cite web|author=Offizielle Deutsche Charts |url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album/for-date-1636084800000 |title=Offizielle Deutsche Charts, Zeitraum: 5 November 2021 – 11 November 2021 |publisher=Offiziellecharts.de |access-date=November 16, 2021}}</ref>
==History==
Kayo Dot was formed after the disbanding of [[maudlin of the Well]], a progressive heavy metal band which formed in 1996 and dissolved in 2003. Many past members of maudlin of the Well – Josh Seipp-Williams, Sam Gutterman, Terran Olson, Andrew Dickson, and Toby Driver – studied at [[Hampshire College]] in [[Amherst, Massachusetts]] from 1996–2000, where ''My Fruit PsychoBells...A Seed Combustible'' was recorded. At Hampshire, Driver, Olson, and Dickson were students of jazz musician [[Yusef Lateef]], whose theories of autophysiopsychic music may have influenced the bands' output.


== History ==
Driver has gone on to say on their [http://www.kayodot.net website]:
''"Some members of this project worked in the progressive-metal project-band [[maudlin of the Well]] from 1996 - 2003, at which time motW dismembered. Kayo Dot isn't much different from maudlin of the Well musically - rather it's more like a continuation in the direction maudlin of the Well had been progressing."''


=== 2002–2004: Formation and ''Choirs of the Eye'' ===
and has also said:
Kayo Dot was formed after the disbanding of [[Maudlin of the Well]], a mildly acclaimed [[progressive heavy metal]] band in late 2002. Several members of Maudlin went on to form Kayo Dot, with multi-instrumentalist Toby Driver leading the group. In early 2003, Toby Driver (vocals, guitar, electronics), Greg Massi (guitar, vocals), Nicholas Kyte (bass, vocals), Sam Gutterman (drums, vocals) and Terran Olson (keyboards, flute, clarinet, saxophone) carried on and took the metal sound of Maudlin in a more classical direction. Rather than using the same band format as Maudlin of the Well, early performances saw Kayo Dot playing as an orchestra of sorts, with many members playing different instruments on stage.<ref name="Kayo Dot Biography">{{cite web|author=David Jeffries |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/kayo-dot-mn0000309982/biography |title=Kayo Dot &#124; Biography & History |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=January 12, 2016}}</ref> [[John Zorn]]'s famous avant-garde label Tzadik signed the act in 2003, and ''[[Choirs of the Eye]]'' was released in late 2003.<ref name="Kayo Dot Biography" /> The album was very well-received, and many regard it as one of the best metal albums of the 2000s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/3335/Kayo-Dot-Choirs-of-the-Eye/ |title=Kayo Dot – Choirs of the Eye (album review 3) |website=Sputnikmusic.com |access-date=January 12, 2016}}</ref> Toby Driver would later go on to say that Choirs of the Eye developed because "Kayo Dot is just a natural extension of the places MOTW was heading". After reading online forums in which fans of Opeth and MOTW bickered over compositional styles, Driver decided to make a "through-composed metal album ... one without riffs or arbitrarily repeating parts."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sorroweternal.blogspot.com/2012/02/kayo-dot-interview.html |title=Sorrow Eternal – metal album reviews, interviews and podcasts.: Kayo Dot: The Interview |website=Sorroweternal.blogspot.com |date=February 4, 2012 |access-date=January 12, 2016}}</ref> This shift in style became the trademark [[post-metal]] or [[avant-garde metal]] sound the band is currently known for. Kayo Dot played the album in its entirety in 2010 at [[The Stone (music space)|The Stone]] in [[New York City]] and again in August 2015.<ref name="Noise Creep Interview with Kayo Dot">{{cite web|url=http://noisecreep.com/kayo-dot-get-former-guitarist-to-play-choirs-of-the-eye-again/ |title=Kayo Dot Get Former Guitarist to Play 'Choirs of the Eye' Again |website=Noisecreep.com |date=February 18, 2010 |access-date=January 12, 2016}}</ref>
''"People are too preoccupied with whatever connection there may be between maudlin of the Well and Kayo Dot."''


=== 2005–2007: ''Dowsing Anemone with Copper Tongue'' ===
In May 2005, Tom Malone joined the band as their new drummer after longtime collaborator Sam Gutterman left the band in March 2005. Kayo Dot then signed to [[Robotic Empire Records]] and released its second album, ''Dowsing Anemone with Copper Tongue'', in January 2006.
[[File:Kayodot2.jpg|upright=1.1|thumb|Kayo Dot c. 2006]]
In March 2005, longtime collaborator and former MOTW member Sam Gutterman left the group to pursue other musical ventures. Tom Malone signed on to replace Gutterman in 2005. Kayo Dot then signed to [[Robotic Empire Records]] and released its second album, ''[[Dowsing Anemone with Copper Tongue]]'' in January 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dustedmagazine.com/reviews/2741 |title=Dusted Reviews: Kayo Dot – Dousing Anemone with Copper Tongue |website=Dustedmagazine.com |date=March 5, 2006 |access-date=January 12, 2016}}</ref> The album was released to good reviews, receiving a 7.7 from ''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/11771-dowsing-anemone-with-copper-tongue-in-the-lllibrary-loft/ |title=Kayo Dot / Toby Driver: Dowsing Anemone With Copper Tongue / In the L..L..Library Loft &#124; Album Reviews |publisher=Pitchfork |date=March 9, 2006 |access-date=January 12, 2016}}</ref> and garnering the band more recognition in the indie metal circle. The album also received a rave review from Sputnikmusic, in which it received a 4.5/5 and was named as one of the best albums of 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/5688/Kayo-Dot-Dowsing-Anemone-With-Copper-Tongue/ |title=Kayo Dot – Dowsing Anemone With Copper Tongue (album review 3) |website=Sputnikmusic.com |access-date=January 12, 2016}}</ref> The band then embarked on a lengthy fall tour before taking a short hiatus, during which two guitarists, the bassist and the trumpet player-left the band for "personal reasons." Despite concerns that there was bad blood between members, Greg Massi said on his blog that he left the group on "good terms" and that "he was going to try and figure out other aspects of my musical life and take some time to figure out where I want to be going." Massi went solo under the moniker [[Baliset (band)|Baliset]] and embarked on a tour shortly afterward. He did, however, guest perform with the group to perform its seminal album ''Choirs of the Eye'' at [[The Stone (music space)|The Stone]] in New York City in 2010.<ref name="Noise Creep Interview with Kayo Dot" />


In late 2006, Kayo Dot left [[Robotic Empire Records|Robotic Empire]] and signed with [[Hydra Head Records]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.punknews.org/article/21359/kayo-dot-signs-to-hydra-head-members-form-side-project |title=Kayo Dot signs to Hydra Head, members form side project |website=Punknews.org |date=December 17, 2006 |access-date=January 12, 2016}}</ref> Despite retaining only two members (Driver and long time collaborator [[Mia Matsumiya]]), the band started work on a new album in late 2007.
In 2006, near the end of the fall tour, four members – playing guitar, bass, drums, and trumpet – left the band for personal reasons. On the tenth of December, Greg Massi also left Kayo Dot on good terms stating he was going "to try and figure out other aspects of my musical life and take some time to figure out where I want to be going." (Massi has since completed his solo album, "A Time for Rust" under the moniker [[Baliset (band)|Baliset]]. Massi also temporarily rejoined Kayo Dot in January 2010 as a guest for the purpose of one performance of ''Choirs of the Eye'' at [[The Stone (music space)]] in New York City on February 6, 2010).


=== 2008–2009: ''Blue Lambency Downward'' ===
After Massi's departure, Kayo Dot, consisting of only two members, Driver and Matsumiya, began working on their third album, ''[[Blue Lambency Downward]]'', which was released in May 2008 by [[Hydra Head Records]]. {{citation needed|date=February 2011}} Kayo Dot used several session musicians on this recording ([[Skerik]] on tenor and baritone saxophone and vibraphone, Hans Teuber on clarinet, [[Charlie Zeleny]] on drumset), and enlisted Randall Dunn as their producer and recording engineer. This album marked the first time one of Driver's recordings was not produced by Driver himself. After ''Blue Lambency Downward'''s release, Driver relocated from Boston to New York City, and for the purpose of touring the woodwind-abundant album, put a new lineup together whose new members were: Patrick Wolff on woodwinds, Daniel Means on woodwinds and guitar, David Bodie on drums, and original (and former maudlin of the Well) member Terran Olson on woodwinds and keyboards. Patrick Wolff has since left the band, and Daniel Means has added bass guitar to his duties.
After signing to [[Hydra Head Records|Hydra Head]], Kayo Dot began working on their third album, ''[[Blue Lambency Downward]]'', which was released in May 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Kayo-Dot-Blue-Lambency-Downward/master/32481 |title=Kayo Dot – Blue Lambency Downward |website=Discogs.com |access-date=January 12, 2016}}</ref> Driver and Matsumiya used several session musicians on this recording, including [[Skerik]] on saxophone and vibraphone, Hans Teuber on clarinet, and [[Charlie Zeleny]] on drums. Additionally, Randall Dunn was enlisted as producer and recording engineer. This album marked the first time Driver allowed one of his recordings to be produced by someone other than himself.<ref>{{cite web|author=Thom Jurek |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/blue-lambency-downward-mw0000786975 |title=Blue Lambency Downward – Kayo Dot &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |date=May 6, 2008 |access-date=January 12, 2016}}</ref> After the album's release, Driver relocated from Boston to New York City for the purpose of touring the album. A new lineup was assembled, including Patrick Wolff on woodwinds, Daniel Means on woodwinds and guitar, David Bodie on drums and original (and former Maudlin of the Well) member Terran Olson on woodwinds and keyboards.


Despite a successful tour, the album was not received as well as previous releases. Allmusic and Drowned in Sound gave it mostly positive reviews,<ref>{{cite web |last=Ubaghs |first=Charles |url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/13318/reviews/3527052 |title=Album Review: Kayo Dot – Blue Lambency Downward / Releases / Releases // Drowned In Sound |website=Drownedinsound.com |date=June 24, 2008 |access-date=January 12, 2016 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054651/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/13318/reviews/3527052 |url-status=dead }}</ref> but it was panned by Pitchfork, who gave it a score of 3.3 out of 10. Among other complaints, the Pitchfork review stated that Blue Lambency Downward had few memorable moments.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/12079-blue-lambency-downward/ |title=Kayo Dot: Blue Lambency Downward &#124; Album Reviews |publisher=Pitchfork |date=August 14, 2008 |access-date=January 12, 2016}}</ref>
In April 2008, Driver began working on a new long-form composition with his partner, Yuko Sueta, a NYC-based writer, filmmaker, and video artist (with Driver as the composer and Sueta as the author, intending to create a film to be projected along with performances of the music). A first draft of this piece was premiered at The Stone in September 2008 by The Kayo Dot Auxiliary Unit (Bodie and Means of Kayo Dot, Yuko Sueta, and [[Tim Byrnes]] on trumpet). Shortly thereafter, Sueta, who had been fighting [[breast cancer]], became incapacitated by the disease. Driver re-drafted and adapted the piece for Kayo Dot (along with Byrnes), toured it in May 2009 on the road with [[Secret Chiefs 3]], and recorded it with Randall Dunn in Seattle during June–July 2009. Sueta died while the record was in post-production, and the band has dedicated it to her. ''[[Coyote (Kayo Dot album)|Coyote]]'' is Kayo Dot's fourth studio album and was released on April 20, 2010 by ''Hydra Head Records'', once again featuring a surprising re-configuration of the band's instrumentation and sound.


=== 2010–2012: ''Coyote'', ''Stained Glass'', and ''Gamma Knife'' ===
Kayo Dot also released an EP entitled ''Stained Glass'' in November, 2010.<ref>http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=54284</ref> In addition, a fifth studio album, entitled ''Gamma Knife'', has been announced on their official website. Recording took place at Littlefield in Brooklyn, New York on October 5, 2011, and the album is scheduled for digital-only release in December. <ref>http://www.kayodot.net/kayodot/index.php?text=home</ref>
After the poor critical reception and fan response to ''Blue Lambency Downward'', Driver began working on a new long-form composition with Yuko Sueta, a NYC-based writer, filmmaker, and video artist. A first draft of this piece was premiered at The Stone in September 2008 by The Kayo Dot Auxiliary Unit, which consisted of David Bodie and Daniel Means of Kayo Dot, Yuko Sueta, and Tim Byrnes on trumpet. Shortly after, Sueta became incapacitated by [[breast cancer]].<ref name="PopMatters Review of Coyote">{{cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/125328-kayo-dot-coyote/ |title=Kayo Dot: Coyote |website=PopMatters.com |date=May 26, 2010 |access-date=January 12, 2016}}</ref> Driver then re-drafted and adapted the piece, which was recorded in Seattle during June–July 2009 with Randall Dunn at the production helm. A tour with [[Secret Chiefs 3]] followed, after which the album was released as 2010's ''[[Coyote (Kayo Dot album)|Coyote]]'' on [[Hydra Head Records|Hydra Head]]. Sueta died while the record was in post-production, which compelled the band to dedicate their performance to her.<ref name="PopMatters Review of Coyote" /> The album featured a rotating lineup of Driver on bass and vocals, Terran Olson on keyboards, David Bodie on drums, [[Mia Matsumiya]] on violin, Tim Byrnes on trumpet, and Daniel Means on woodwinds. Despite receiving mixed reviews, some sources (including PopMatters) praised ''Coyote'' for its concept.<ref name="PopMatters Review of Coyote" />


Immediately after ''Coyote'', Kayo Dot released an EP entitled ''Stained Glass'' in November 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metalunderground.com/news/details.cfm?newsid=54284 |title=Kayo Dot Begins Recording New EP "Stained Glass" – in Metal News |publisher=Metal Underground.com |access-date=January 11, 2016}}</ref> It featured a guest guitar solo by [[Trey Spruance]] of [[Secret Chiefs 3]] and [[Mr. Bungle]] fame. ''Stained Glass'' was partially recorded at Zing Studios in Westfield, Massachusetts, by Jim Fogarty, and partially by Toby Driver at his home studio. Consisting of one self-titled track, the twenty-minute EP was released on CD by Hydra Head Records and on LP by Antithetic Records in early 2011. ''Stained Glass'' features lyrics by Jason Byron, but only some of the ones written were actually sung on the album. The remaining lyrics appear in the liner notes, some of which were later used in Jason Byron's book, "The Sword of Satan" which was included with the LP release of ''Hubardo'' in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/40500/Kayo-Dot-Stained-Glass/ |title=Review: Kayo Dot – Stained Glass |website=Sputnikmusic.com |access-date=January 12, 2016}}</ref> Like ''Coyote'', ''Stained Glass'' was released to mixed reviews. The critical and commercial failure of these albums, resulted in Kayo Dot and [[Hydra Head Records|Hydra Head]] mutually parting ways.
==Current members==
*[[Toby Driver]] - [[singer|vocals]], [[guitar]], [[cello]], bass guitar, baritone guitar, keyboards, [[clarinet]]
*Mia Matsumiya - [[violin]], [[viola]], vocals, guitar, synth bass, mellotron
*David Bodie - drums ([[Time of Orchids]], [[MATH (band)|MATH]])
*Terran Olson - keys, clarinet, saxophone
*Daniel Means - saxophone, clarinet, guitar


Kayo Dot was left without financial support from a label and decided to stay independent, so the band recorded the album ''[[Gamma Knife (album)|Gamma Knife]]'' live at a concert in Brooklyn, New York on October 5, 2011.<ref>{{cite web |last=Maltz |first=Aaron |date=January 27, 2012 |title=Review: Kayo Dot – Gamma Knife |url=http://www.invisibleoranges.com/2012/01/kayo-dot-gamma-knife/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201144214/http://www.invisibleoranges.com/2012/01/kayo-dot-gamma-knife/ |archive-date=February 1, 2012 |access-date=January 12, 2016 |website=[[Invisible Oranges]]}}</ref> The album was different in that it was recorded with a budget of zero dollars via six channels of microphones into a laptop helmed by a friend of the band, composer Jeremiah Cymerman.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://icelevelmusic.bandcamp.com/album/gamma-knife |title=Gamma Knife &#124; Ice Level Music |website=Icelevelmusic.bandcamp.com |access-date=January 12, 2016}}</ref> The concert featured several moments of audience participation. It received moderately good reception and was seen as a return to the group's metal roots. It was self-released on their own imprint Ice Level Music, digitally on January 4, 2012, on [[Bandcamp]] and later by another record company, Antithetic Records on [[CD]] and [[LP record|LP]]. The lineup remained the same, except [[Kim Abrams]] played drums on the album.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sputnikmusic.com/news/15996/Kayo-Dot-North-American-tour/ |title=Kayo Dot North American tour |website=Sputnikmusic |access-date=January 12, 2016}}</ref> ''Gamma Knife'' was received critically better than the past few albums, as SputnikMusic gave it a 3.5/5 and said "for the first time in years, Kayo Dot feels musically relevant."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/47351/Kayo-Dot-Gamma-Knife/ |title=Review: Kayo Dot – Gamma Knife |website=Sputnikmusic.com |access-date=January 12, 2016}}</ref>
<gallery>
Image:Kayodot2.jpg|Kayo Dot in Santa Cruz, CA
Image:Kayodot3.jpg|Violinist Mia Matsumiya
<!-- Commented out because image was deleted: Image:Kayodot4.jpg -->|Guitarist Greg Massi
</gallery>


=== 2013–2018: ''Hubardo'', ''Coffins on Io'', and ''Plastic House on Base of Sky'' ===
==Discography==
[[File:Kayodot4.jpg|thumb|The band in 2015]]
===Studio albums===
In 2013, Driver announced a pre-order for Kayo Dot's new concept double-album, which contained approximately 100 minutes of music. Instead of using [[Kickstarter]] like many other crowd-funded musical projects, he announced that the album would be financed with money earned from pre-orders. It would be named ''[[Hubardo]]'' (which means "lamp" in [[Enochian]]), and its release would mark the group's ten year anniversary.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://drownedinsound.com/community/boards/music/4427083 |title=New Kayo Dot Record Fan Funded, Preorder, Etc / Music Forum // Drowned In Sound |website=Drownedinsound.com |access-date=January 12, 2016 |archive-date=September 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917191400/http://drownedinsound.com/community/boards/music/4427083 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Driver announced that the album was recorded in the spring of 2013 in Seattle by longtime collaborator Randall Dunn. It was digitally released on September 10, 2013, to widespread acclaim, and received good reviews from multiple sources <ref name="Kayo Dot – Hubardo in ScenePointBlank.com">{{cite web|last=Matthews|first=S.K.|title=Kayo Dot – Hubardo in ScenePointBlank.com|url=http://www.scenepointblank.com/reviews/kayo-dot/hubardo/|work=Review|publisher=Scene Point Blank|access-date=October 15, 2014|date=August 26, 2013|archive-date=March 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328061231/http://www.scenepointblank.com/reviews/kayo-dot/hubardo/|url-status=live}}</ref> Through crowd-funding, Kayo Dot self-released a triple LP that sold out immediately, containing a 40-page book/poem by former [[Maudlin of the Well]] guest vocalist Jason Byron entitled "The Sword of Satan." Byron also wrote the album's lyrics. The album featured a line up similar to previous albums, with the exception of Byron's guest vocals on the first half of "The Black Stone." This was Byron's first recorded appearance since Maudlin of the Well's ''[[Bath (album)|Bath]]'' and ''[[Leaving Your Body Map]]''. It is widely considered a return to the group's metal roots, and was selected as the 4th best album of 2013 by SputnikMusic. Sputnik noted that ''[[Hubardo]]'' "recalls the black metal chamber music of Choirs of the Eye."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sputnikmusic.com/blog/2013/12/18/staff%E2%80%99s-top-50-albums-of-2013-10-%E2%80%93-1/ |title=Staff's Top 50 Albums of 2013: 10 – 1 « Staff Blog |website=Sputnikmusic.com |access-date=January 12, 2016}}</ref>

Despite the involvement of Terran Olson and [[Mia Matsumiya]], neither participated in the ensuing tour, except as occasional guest musicians. The U.S. tour for ''[[Hubardo]]'' commenced in early 2014, and included dates at [[SXSW]].<ref>{{cite web |date=February 26, 2014 |title=Invisible Oranges SXSW showcase 2014: Black Tusk, Mutoid Man, Kayo Dot, Yautja, Wild Throne & Venomous Maximus! |url=http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2014/02/black_tusk_muto.html |access-date=January 12, 2016 |website=[[BrooklynVegan]]}}</ref> Many dates were sold out.

On July 10, 2014, the band announced a new album called ''[[Coffins on Io]]'' to be released October 16 via [[The Flenser]]. Driver said of the record, "Basically the vibe that we're going for here is inspired by 80s retro-future noir—[[Blade Runner]]...I wanted to make a good record to put on while you drive across the desert at night under a toxic, post-apocalyptic atmosphere...There's a weird underlying theme of murder, shame and death."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theflenser.com/kayo-dot-coffins-on-io/ |title=Kayo Dot – Coffins On Io |publisher=The Flenser |date=July 10, 2014 |access-date=January 11, 2016}}</ref> The album was released on October 15, 2014.

Violinist Matsumiya's Instagram screenshots documenting the online abuse she has received were the subject of an October 2015 BBC video.<ref>{{cite web|title = Violinist highlights a decade of online abuse|url = https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-34599600|website = BBC News|access-date = October 22, 2015|date = October 22, 2015|last = Evans|first = Olivia Lace}}</ref>

The band's eighth studio album, ''[[Plastic House on Base of Sky]]'', was released on June 24, 2016. The album has been noted to feature an increased influence from [[electronic music]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Kayo Dot's New Album, 'Plastic House on Base of Sky'', Is a David Lynchian Electronic Wonder|url=http://noisey.vice.com/blog/kayo-dot-plastic-house-on-base-of-sky-stream|website=Vice|access-date=June 26, 2016|date=June 20, 2016}}</ref>

=== 2018–present: ''Blasphemy'' and ''Moss Grew on the Swords and Plowshares Alike'' ===

In September 2018, Kayo Dot signed with the German record label [[Prophecy Productions]], also announcing work had begun on a new album.<ref>{{cite web|title = Kayo Dot announce new album|url = https://www.brooklynvegan.com/kayo-dot-announce-new-album-blasphemy/|website = Brooklyn Vegan|access-date = November 9, 2020|date = July 9, 2019|last = Sacher|first = Andrew}}</ref> One year later, in September 2019, ''[[Blasphemy (Kayo Dot album)|Blasphemy]]'' was released to positive reviews. Two music videos were created for "Blasphemy: A Prophecy" and "Turbine, Hook & Haul". Both were filmed and edited by Toby Driver.<ref>{{cite web|title = Kayo Dot premiere "Blasphemy: A Prophecy"|url = https://www.theprp.com/2019/07/27/news/kayo-dot-premiere-blasphemy-a-prophecy-music-video/|website = The PRP|access-date = November 9, 2020|date = July 27, 2019|last = wookubus|first = wookubus}}</ref> The band's tenth album, ''[[Moss Grew on the Swords and Plowshares Alike]]'', was released by [[Prophecy Productions]] on October 29, 2021. It received superlative reviews and reached the German Top 100 Album Charts for the first time in the week after its release, November 5, 2021.<ref name="Offizielle Deutsche Charts"/> A video was created for the first single, "Void in Virgo (The Nature of Sacrifice)," by musician, writer, and filmmaker Nick Jack Hudson.

In February 2023, a 20th anniversary tour of ''Choirs of the Eye'' took place in select cities around Europe with the entire Maudlin of the Well line-up.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kayo Dot's Choirs of the Eye 20th anniversary |url=https://idioteq.com/kayo-dot-choirs-of-the-eve-20th-anniversary-tour-happening-this-week/|date=February 24, 2023}}</ref>

== Musical style ==
Unlike [[Maudlin of the Well]], Kayo Dot's sound is a mixture of [[black metal]], [[atmospheric metal]], and [[chamber music]]. The label on their debut reads, "Kayo Dot powerfully integrates elements of modern classical composition with layers of guitars and vocals more common to [[rock music|rock]] and [[heavy metal music|metal]]." The group's sound continually changes from album to album, and this unpredictability has become one of their trademarks.

Early Kayo Dot recordings are notable for their classical leanings and composition, as well as their eclectic instrumentation. Loud walls of guitars and quiet interludes are equally common, which has led to their music being labeled [[post-metal]], [[post-rock]], [[progressive rock]] and [[avant-garde]]. All of their music is thoroughly composed, with no improvisation. Kayo Dot is known for employing the complex instrumentation of [[progressive rock]], with song lengths and structures reminiscent of [[classical music|classical]].

Toby Driver has said that his influences in Kayo Dot include artists such as [[The Cure]], [[Scott Walker (singer)|Scott Walker]], [[Emperor (band)|Emperor]], [[Ulver]], [[John Zorn]], [[Gorguts]], [[Björk]], and [[Susumu Hirasawa]]. He has denied the presence of jazz in Kayo Dot music.<ref>[http://blindedbysound.com/kayo-dots-toby-driver-on-jazz-mysticism-and-lazy-listening/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224104045/http://blindedbysound.com/kayo-dots-toby-driver-on-jazz-mysticism-and-lazy-listening/ |date=February 24, 2016 }} - 'it's just objectively wrong to say that [Kayo Dot] music has any jazz elements'</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-07-12 |title=NEW DISC REVIEW + INTERVIEW 【KAYO DOT : PLASTIC HOUSE ON BASE OF SKY】 - Marunouchi Muzik Magazine |url=https://sin23ou.heavy.jp/?p=7495 |access-date=2024-08-16 |language=ja}}</ref>

== Lineup ==

=== Band members ===
*[[Toby Driver]] – [[singing|vocals]], [[guitar]], bass guitar, keyboards, instruments
*Greg Massi – guitar
*Jason Byron – lyrics

=== Touring musicians ===
*Phillip Price – drums
*Leonardo Didkovsky – drums

=== Notable former members ===
*[[Kim Abrams]] – drums
*[[Mia Matsumiya]] – violin, viola, additional guitar

== Discography ==

=== Studio albums ===
{|class="wikitable"
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Release date
! Release date
! Title
! Title
Line 69: Line 105:
| ''[[Coyote (Kayo Dot album)|Coyote]]''
| ''[[Coyote (Kayo Dot album)|Coyote]]''
|-
|-
| 2011
| 2012
| ''Gamma Knife''
| ''[[Gamma Knife (album)|Gamma Knife]]''
|-
|2013
| ''[[Hubardo]]''
|-
|2014
|''[[Coffins on Io]]''
|-
|2016
|''[[Plastic House on Base of Sky]]''
|-
|2019
|''[[Blasphemy (Kayo Dot album)|Blasphemy]]''
|-
|2021
|''[[Moss Grew on the Swords and Plowshares Alike]]''
|-
|}
|}


===Splits, EPs & live albums===
=== Splits, singles, remixes and live albums ===
* Split with [[Bloody Panda]], 2006, Holy Roar Records
* Split with [[Bloody Panda]], 2006, Holy Roar Records
* "Twins Eating Fer De Lance," ''Champions of Sound 2008'' compilation, 2009, Hydra Head Records
* "Twins Eating Fer De Lance," ''Champions of Sound 2008'' compilation, 2009, Hydra Head Records
* ''Live In Bonn'', Germany: October 7, 2009
* ''Live In Bonn'', Germany: October 7, 2009
* ''Stained Glass'', 2010, [[Hydra Head Records]]
* "Pages" remix on [[Candiria|Candiria's]] ''Toying With The Insanities, vol. 1 ''
* "Pages" remix on [[Candiria]]'s ''Toying With The Insanities, vol. 1 ''
*''Stained Glass'', 2010, Hydra Head Records
* ''"COYOTE" Live on WMBR'', Cambridge, Massachusetts: August 2012


==References==
==References==
Line 84: Line 137:


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commonscat}}
*[http://www.kayodot.net Official website]
* [http://www.kayodot.net/ Official website]
*{{myspace|kayodot}}
* [http://kayodot.bandcamp.com/ Kayo Dot's Bandcamp and audio streams]


{{Kayo Dot}}
{{Kayo Dot}}

{{Authority control}}


[[Category:American experimental musical groups]]
[[Category:American experimental musical groups]]
[[Category:American post-rock groups]]
[[Category:American post-rock groups]]
[[Category:American rock music groups]]
[[Category:Rock music groups from Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Post-metal musical groups]]
[[Category:American post-metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Avant-garde metal musical groups]]
[[Category:American avant-garde metal musical groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 2003]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 2003]]
[[Category:Tzadik Records artists]]
[[Category:Tzadik Records artists]]
[[Category:Toby Driver]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Boston]]

[[de:Kayo Dot]]
[[fr:Kayo Dot]]
[[it:Kayo Dot]]
[[pl:Kayo Dot]]
[[zh:Kayo Dot]]

Latest revision as of 18:28, 30 November 2024

Kayo Dot
Kayo Dot performing at Roadburn Festival 2015
Kayo Dot performing at Roadburn Festival 2015
Background information
OriginBoston, Massachusetts, U.S.
GenresAvant-garde metal, progressive metal, post-rock, chamber
Years active2003–present
LabelsThe Flenser, Ice Level, Hydra Head, Robotic Empire, Tzadik, Holy Roar
MembersToby Driver
Greg Massi
Jason Byron
Past membersKim Abrams
Daniel Means
Mia Matsumiya
Terran Olson
David Bodie
Sam Gutterman
Nicholas Kyte
Tim Byrnes
Patrick Wolff
Johannes Doepping
Russell Greenberg
Ryan McGuire
Forbes Graham
John Carchia
D.J. Murray
Tom Malone
Websitekayodot.net

Kayo Dot is an American avant-garde metal band. Formed in 2003 by Toby Driver after the break-up of Maudlin of the Well, they released their debut album Choirs of the Eye on John Zorn's Tzadik Records that same year. Since then, Kayo Dot's lineup has drastically changed over the years.[1] Toby Driver is the only founding member of the band still remaining, save for frequent lyrical contributions from former motW member Jason Byron. Up until 2011, the lineup was constantly shifting, and Kayo Dot's sound consistently changed over the years, featuring a wide variety of instrumentation including guitar, drums, bass, violin, saxophone, vibraphone, synthesizers, clarinets and flutes. Underground metal audiences warmly received the group upon its early existence, with the 2003 album Choirs of the Eye and the 2006 album Dowsing Anemone with Copper Tongue both becoming underground hits in the progressive metal scene.

Over the years, in addition to the rotating lineup and constantly changing sounds, Kayo Dot has been signed to a number of different record labels, Tzadik, Robotic Empire, Hydra Head, Driver's self-release imprint, Ice Level Music, The Flenser, and Prophecy Productions.

As of 2021, Kayo Dot has released ten studio albums, one EP and one split: Choirs of the Eye in 2003, Dowsing Anemone with Copper Tongue as well as Kayo Dot/Bloody Panda split in 2006, Blue Lambency Downward, Coyote in 2010, an EP titled Stained Glass in 2011, Gamma Knife in 2012 and a double-album Hubardo in 2013. Coffins on Io, the group's seventh album, was released in 2014 via The Flenser. Their eighth studio album, Plastic House on Base of Sky, was released in 2016, followed up by their ninth, Blasphemy in 2019, and latest album, Moss Grew on the Swords and Plowshares Alike, via Prophecy Productions on October 29, 2021. It reached the German Top 100 Album Charts for the first time in the week after its release.[2]

History

[edit]

2002–2004: Formation and Choirs of the Eye

[edit]

Kayo Dot was formed after the disbanding of Maudlin of the Well, a mildly acclaimed progressive heavy metal band in late 2002. Several members of Maudlin went on to form Kayo Dot, with multi-instrumentalist Toby Driver leading the group. In early 2003, Toby Driver (vocals, guitar, electronics), Greg Massi (guitar, vocals), Nicholas Kyte (bass, vocals), Sam Gutterman (drums, vocals) and Terran Olson (keyboards, flute, clarinet, saxophone) carried on and took the metal sound of Maudlin in a more classical direction. Rather than using the same band format as Maudlin of the Well, early performances saw Kayo Dot playing as an orchestra of sorts, with many members playing different instruments on stage.[3] John Zorn's famous avant-garde label Tzadik signed the act in 2003, and Choirs of the Eye was released in late 2003.[3] The album was very well-received, and many regard it as one of the best metal albums of the 2000s.[4] Toby Driver would later go on to say that Choirs of the Eye developed because "Kayo Dot is just a natural extension of the places MOTW was heading". After reading online forums in which fans of Opeth and MOTW bickered over compositional styles, Driver decided to make a "through-composed metal album ... one without riffs or arbitrarily repeating parts."[5] This shift in style became the trademark post-metal or avant-garde metal sound the band is currently known for. Kayo Dot played the album in its entirety in 2010 at The Stone in New York City and again in August 2015.[6]

2005–2007: Dowsing Anemone with Copper Tongue

[edit]
Kayo Dot c. 2006

In March 2005, longtime collaborator and former MOTW member Sam Gutterman left the group to pursue other musical ventures. Tom Malone signed on to replace Gutterman in 2005. Kayo Dot then signed to Robotic Empire Records and released its second album, Dowsing Anemone with Copper Tongue in January 2006.[7] The album was released to good reviews, receiving a 7.7 from Pitchfork,[8] and garnering the band more recognition in the indie metal circle. The album also received a rave review from Sputnikmusic, in which it received a 4.5/5 and was named as one of the best albums of 2006.[9] The band then embarked on a lengthy fall tour before taking a short hiatus, during which two guitarists, the bassist and the trumpet player-left the band for "personal reasons." Despite concerns that there was bad blood between members, Greg Massi said on his blog that he left the group on "good terms" and that "he was going to try and figure out other aspects of my musical life and take some time to figure out where I want to be going." Massi went solo under the moniker Baliset and embarked on a tour shortly afterward. He did, however, guest perform with the group to perform its seminal album Choirs of the Eye at The Stone in New York City in 2010.[6]

In late 2006, Kayo Dot left Robotic Empire and signed with Hydra Head Records.[10] Despite retaining only two members (Driver and long time collaborator Mia Matsumiya), the band started work on a new album in late 2007.

2008–2009: Blue Lambency Downward

[edit]

After signing to Hydra Head, Kayo Dot began working on their third album, Blue Lambency Downward, which was released in May 2008.[11] Driver and Matsumiya used several session musicians on this recording, including Skerik on saxophone and vibraphone, Hans Teuber on clarinet, and Charlie Zeleny on drums. Additionally, Randall Dunn was enlisted as producer and recording engineer. This album marked the first time Driver allowed one of his recordings to be produced by someone other than himself.[12] After the album's release, Driver relocated from Boston to New York City for the purpose of touring the album. A new lineup was assembled, including Patrick Wolff on woodwinds, Daniel Means on woodwinds and guitar, David Bodie on drums and original (and former Maudlin of the Well) member Terran Olson on woodwinds and keyboards.

Despite a successful tour, the album was not received as well as previous releases. Allmusic and Drowned in Sound gave it mostly positive reviews,[13] but it was panned by Pitchfork, who gave it a score of 3.3 out of 10. Among other complaints, the Pitchfork review stated that Blue Lambency Downward had few memorable moments.[14]

2010–2012: Coyote, Stained Glass, and Gamma Knife

[edit]

After the poor critical reception and fan response to Blue Lambency Downward, Driver began working on a new long-form composition with Yuko Sueta, a NYC-based writer, filmmaker, and video artist. A first draft of this piece was premiered at The Stone in September 2008 by The Kayo Dot Auxiliary Unit, which consisted of David Bodie and Daniel Means of Kayo Dot, Yuko Sueta, and Tim Byrnes on trumpet. Shortly after, Sueta became incapacitated by breast cancer.[15] Driver then re-drafted and adapted the piece, which was recorded in Seattle during June–July 2009 with Randall Dunn at the production helm. A tour with Secret Chiefs 3 followed, after which the album was released as 2010's Coyote on Hydra Head. Sueta died while the record was in post-production, which compelled the band to dedicate their performance to her.[15] The album featured a rotating lineup of Driver on bass and vocals, Terran Olson on keyboards, David Bodie on drums, Mia Matsumiya on violin, Tim Byrnes on trumpet, and Daniel Means on woodwinds. Despite receiving mixed reviews, some sources (including PopMatters) praised Coyote for its concept.[15]

Immediately after Coyote, Kayo Dot released an EP entitled Stained Glass in November 2010.[16] It featured a guest guitar solo by Trey Spruance of Secret Chiefs 3 and Mr. Bungle fame. Stained Glass was partially recorded at Zing Studios in Westfield, Massachusetts, by Jim Fogarty, and partially by Toby Driver at his home studio. Consisting of one self-titled track, the twenty-minute EP was released on CD by Hydra Head Records and on LP by Antithetic Records in early 2011. Stained Glass features lyrics by Jason Byron, but only some of the ones written were actually sung on the album. The remaining lyrics appear in the liner notes, some of which were later used in Jason Byron's book, "The Sword of Satan" which was included with the LP release of Hubardo in 2013.[17] Like Coyote, Stained Glass was released to mixed reviews. The critical and commercial failure of these albums, resulted in Kayo Dot and Hydra Head mutually parting ways.

Kayo Dot was left without financial support from a label and decided to stay independent, so the band recorded the album Gamma Knife live at a concert in Brooklyn, New York on October 5, 2011.[18] The album was different in that it was recorded with a budget of zero dollars via six channels of microphones into a laptop helmed by a friend of the band, composer Jeremiah Cymerman.[19] The concert featured several moments of audience participation. It received moderately good reception and was seen as a return to the group's metal roots. It was self-released on their own imprint Ice Level Music, digitally on January 4, 2012, on Bandcamp and later by another record company, Antithetic Records on CD and LP. The lineup remained the same, except Kim Abrams played drums on the album.[20] Gamma Knife was received critically better than the past few albums, as SputnikMusic gave it a 3.5/5 and said "for the first time in years, Kayo Dot feels musically relevant."[21]

2013–2018: Hubardo, Coffins on Io, and Plastic House on Base of Sky

[edit]
The band in 2015

In 2013, Driver announced a pre-order for Kayo Dot's new concept double-album, which contained approximately 100 minutes of music. Instead of using Kickstarter like many other crowd-funded musical projects, he announced that the album would be financed with money earned from pre-orders. It would be named Hubardo (which means "lamp" in Enochian), and its release would mark the group's ten year anniversary.[22] Driver announced that the album was recorded in the spring of 2013 in Seattle by longtime collaborator Randall Dunn. It was digitally released on September 10, 2013, to widespread acclaim, and received good reviews from multiple sources [23] Through crowd-funding, Kayo Dot self-released a triple LP that sold out immediately, containing a 40-page book/poem by former Maudlin of the Well guest vocalist Jason Byron entitled "The Sword of Satan." Byron also wrote the album's lyrics. The album featured a line up similar to previous albums, with the exception of Byron's guest vocals on the first half of "The Black Stone." This was Byron's first recorded appearance since Maudlin of the Well's Bath and Leaving Your Body Map. It is widely considered a return to the group's metal roots, and was selected as the 4th best album of 2013 by SputnikMusic. Sputnik noted that Hubardo "recalls the black metal chamber music of Choirs of the Eye."[24]

Despite the involvement of Terran Olson and Mia Matsumiya, neither participated in the ensuing tour, except as occasional guest musicians. The U.S. tour for Hubardo commenced in early 2014, and included dates at SXSW.[25] Many dates were sold out.

On July 10, 2014, the band announced a new album called Coffins on Io to be released October 16 via The Flenser. Driver said of the record, "Basically the vibe that we're going for here is inspired by 80s retro-future noir—Blade Runner...I wanted to make a good record to put on while you drive across the desert at night under a toxic, post-apocalyptic atmosphere...There's a weird underlying theme of murder, shame and death."[26] The album was released on October 15, 2014.

Violinist Matsumiya's Instagram screenshots documenting the online abuse she has received were the subject of an October 2015 BBC video.[27]

The band's eighth studio album, Plastic House on Base of Sky, was released on June 24, 2016. The album has been noted to feature an increased influence from electronic music.[28]

2018–present: Blasphemy and Moss Grew on the Swords and Plowshares Alike

[edit]

In September 2018, Kayo Dot signed with the German record label Prophecy Productions, also announcing work had begun on a new album.[29] One year later, in September 2019, Blasphemy was released to positive reviews. Two music videos were created for "Blasphemy: A Prophecy" and "Turbine, Hook & Haul". Both were filmed and edited by Toby Driver.[30] The band's tenth album, Moss Grew on the Swords and Plowshares Alike, was released by Prophecy Productions on October 29, 2021. It received superlative reviews and reached the German Top 100 Album Charts for the first time in the week after its release, November 5, 2021.[2] A video was created for the first single, "Void in Virgo (The Nature of Sacrifice)," by musician, writer, and filmmaker Nick Jack Hudson.

In February 2023, a 20th anniversary tour of Choirs of the Eye took place in select cities around Europe with the entire Maudlin of the Well line-up.[31]

Musical style

[edit]

Unlike Maudlin of the Well, Kayo Dot's sound is a mixture of black metal, atmospheric metal, and chamber music. The label on their debut reads, "Kayo Dot powerfully integrates elements of modern classical composition with layers of guitars and vocals more common to rock and metal." The group's sound continually changes from album to album, and this unpredictability has become one of their trademarks.

Early Kayo Dot recordings are notable for their classical leanings and composition, as well as their eclectic instrumentation. Loud walls of guitars and quiet interludes are equally common, which has led to their music being labeled post-metal, post-rock, progressive rock and avant-garde. All of their music is thoroughly composed, with no improvisation. Kayo Dot is known for employing the complex instrumentation of progressive rock, with song lengths and structures reminiscent of classical.

Toby Driver has said that his influences in Kayo Dot include artists such as The Cure, Scott Walker, Emperor, Ulver, John Zorn, Gorguts, Björk, and Susumu Hirasawa. He has denied the presence of jazz in Kayo Dot music.[32][33]

Lineup

[edit]

Band members

[edit]

Touring musicians

[edit]
  • Phillip Price – drums
  • Leonardo Didkovsky – drums

Notable former members

[edit]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Release date Title
2003 Choirs of the Eye
2006 Dowsing Anemone with Copper Tongue
2008 Blue Lambency Downward
2010 Coyote
2012 Gamma Knife
2013 Hubardo
2014 Coffins on Io
2016 Plastic House on Base of Sky
2019 Blasphemy
2021 Moss Grew on the Swords and Plowshares Alike

Splits, singles, remixes and live albums

[edit]
  • Split with Bloody Panda, 2006, Holy Roar Records
  • "Twins Eating Fer De Lance," Champions of Sound 2008 compilation, 2009, Hydra Head Records
  • Live In Bonn, Germany: October 7, 2009
  • Stained Glass, 2010, Hydra Head Records
  • "Pages" remix on Candiria's Toying With The Insanities, vol. 1
  • "COYOTE" Live on WMBR, Cambridge, Massachusetts: August 2012

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Sorrow Eternal – metal album reviews, interviews and podcasts.: Kayo Dot: The Interview". Sorroweternal.blogspot.com. February 4, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  2. ^ a b Offizielle Deutsche Charts. "Offizielle Deutsche Charts, Zeitraum: 5 November 2021 – 11 November 2021". Offiziellecharts.de. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  3. ^ a b David Jeffries. "Kayo Dot | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  4. ^ "Kayo Dot – Choirs of the Eye (album review 3)". Sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  5. ^ "Sorrow Eternal – metal album reviews, interviews and podcasts.: Kayo Dot: The Interview". Sorroweternal.blogspot.com. February 4, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  6. ^ a b "Kayo Dot Get Former Guitarist to Play 'Choirs of the Eye' Again". Noisecreep.com. February 18, 2010. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  7. ^ "Dusted Reviews: Kayo Dot – Dousing Anemone with Copper Tongue". Dustedmagazine.com. March 5, 2006. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  8. ^ "Kayo Dot / Toby Driver: Dowsing Anemone With Copper Tongue / In the L..L..Library Loft | Album Reviews". Pitchfork. March 9, 2006. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  9. ^ "Kayo Dot – Dowsing Anemone With Copper Tongue (album review 3)". Sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  10. ^ "Kayo Dot signs to Hydra Head, members form side project". Punknews.org. December 17, 2006. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  11. ^ "Kayo Dot – Blue Lambency Downward". Discogs.com. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  12. ^ Thom Jurek (May 6, 2008). "Blue Lambency Downward – Kayo Dot | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  13. ^ Ubaghs, Charles (June 24, 2008). "Album Review: Kayo Dot – Blue Lambency Downward / Releases / Releases // Drowned In Sound". Drownedinsound.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  14. ^ "Kayo Dot: Blue Lambency Downward | Album Reviews". Pitchfork. August 14, 2008. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  15. ^ a b c "Kayo Dot: Coyote". PopMatters.com. May 26, 2010. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  16. ^ "Kayo Dot Begins Recording New EP "Stained Glass" – in Metal News". Metal Underground.com. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  17. ^ "Review: Kayo Dot – Stained Glass". Sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  18. ^ Maltz, Aaron (January 27, 2012). "Review: Kayo Dot – Gamma Knife". Invisible Oranges. Archived from the original on February 1, 2012. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  19. ^ "Gamma Knife | Ice Level Music". Icelevelmusic.bandcamp.com. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  20. ^ "Kayo Dot North American tour". Sputnikmusic. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  21. ^ "Review: Kayo Dot – Gamma Knife". Sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  22. ^ "New Kayo Dot Record Fan Funded, Preorder, Etc / Music Forum // Drowned In Sound". Drownedinsound.com. Archived from the original on September 17, 2016. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  23. ^ Matthews, S.K. (August 26, 2013). "Kayo Dot – Hubardo in ScenePointBlank.com". Review. Scene Point Blank. Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved October 15, 2014.
  24. ^ "Staff's Top 50 Albums of 2013: 10 – 1 « Staff Blog". Sputnikmusic.com. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  25. ^ "Invisible Oranges SXSW showcase 2014: Black Tusk, Mutoid Man, Kayo Dot, Yautja, Wild Throne & Venomous Maximus!". BrooklynVegan. February 26, 2014. Retrieved January 12, 2016.
  26. ^ "Kayo Dot – Coffins On Io". The Flenser. July 10, 2014. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  27. ^ Evans, Olivia Lace (October 22, 2015). "Violinist highlights a decade of online abuse". BBC News. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
  28. ^ "Kayo Dot's New Album, 'Plastic House on Base of Sky, Is a David Lynchian Electronic Wonder". Vice. June 20, 2016. Retrieved June 26, 2016.
  29. ^ Sacher, Andrew (July 9, 2019). "Kayo Dot announce new album". Brooklyn Vegan. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  30. ^ wookubus, wookubus (July 27, 2019). "Kayo Dot premiere "Blasphemy: A Prophecy"". The PRP. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
  31. ^ "Kayo Dot's Choirs of the Eye 20th anniversary". February 24, 2023.
  32. ^ [1] Archived February 24, 2016, at the Wayback Machine - 'it's just objectively wrong to say that [Kayo Dot] music has any jazz elements'
  33. ^ "NEW DISC REVIEW + INTERVIEW 【KAYO DOT : PLASTIC HOUSE ON BASE OF SKY】 - Marunouchi Muzik Magazine" (in Japanese). July 12, 2016. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
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