"Celestial Blues" is the sophomore album by KING WOMAN. Led by the hypnotic and breathy vocal dramatics of Kris Esfandiari. KING WOMAN unveil a profoundly crafted opus of brooding, ethereal doom-rock. Produced by Jack Shirley (DEAFHEAVEN, WRECK & REFERENCE, OATHBREAKER).
Feeling compelled to reshape the biblical archetypes that once bound her, Esfandiari has created a theatrical tale of rebellion, tragedy, and triumph — a metaphor for her own personal experiences over the years — "Celestial Blues" was born. The former’s name refers to Lucifer himself, taking root in a John Milton-ish humanization of the Biblical adversary.
Esfandiari has written an epic poem in blank verse where the dramatic tone for the record is set with "Morning Star" where "Lucifer, falling from the heights" with an primeval echo in the heavy riffs by Peter Arsendorf that played both bass and guitar on the album in the absence of former guitarist Colin Gallagher and drums beaten with a firm handshake by Joey Raygoza. "Boghz" is about the delicate line between love and drugs. Beautiful-sounding tones begin "Golgotha" which invites to some gymnastics choirs, laze distorted guitars and violins that try to hide the bloody lyrics. "Coil" is a massive wall of big sounds in this punkish gospel. "Entwined" starts nicely at a low tide pace, only when halfway has been passed, it break loose and she sings "I've been fucking around my whole life, No more". In "Psychic Wound" she get enslaved by the pinions under seductive rule. The music surrounds in a horror theme around her screams. A bass line lick opens up "Ruse" is another story of betrayal in the sense of intoxication. The album closes really beautiful in "Paradise Lost" where the inspiration is taken from John Milton epic poem, a neat guitar and soft drums along with a naked and soulful vocals makes me shiver. "Celestial Blues" is marvelous and so different, as the lyrics is very important to understand it's composition and meaning, the music frames up the story very well. Highly recomend to spin this with headphones.
"Celestial Blues" was recorded in Oakland, California by GRAMMY-nominated engineer Jack Shirley (DEAFHEAVEN, WRECK & REFERENCE, ANENRA, OATHBREAKER). Released July 30, 2021 by Relapse Records
Sum: "Celestial Blues" is one of the year's most evocative records.
Today's tune "Morning Star", taken from "Celestial Blues", The video is pretty creepy and get's me think about Marilyn Manson, could this be his sister???, well enjoy!
KING WOMAN is a band who haunts you. Their stunning debut full-length, "Created in the Image of Suffering", is a crushing yet bleak listen and “Deny” is perhaps the most powerful piece of the album, check it out here!.
Formed in 2009 by Kristina Esfandiari, the Bay Area’s KING WOMAN began as a solo project then later developed into a full band. Over the course of the last seven years, KING WOMAN have crafted a sound thoroughly their own – a sound that harnesses the elastic textures and temporality of drone and doom metal alongside the strength and evocative power of artists like Mazzy Star, Royal Thunder, Grouper, and many more. The band’s debut EP Doubt (released on leading SF avantgarde imprint The Flenser in 2014) paired weighty subject matter such as religious abuse (which allowed Esfandiari’s lyrical ingenuity to really shine) with cathartic, brooding, and hypnotic songwriting with a transcendental feel.
With Esfandiari’s lush and dramatic vocals, KING WOMAN go far beyond mere stoner metal. The band’s compositions call to mind rich, detailed imagery and powerful atmospheres that elevate their music beyond classification. KING WOMAN‘s mystical sound resonated strongly enough to catch the attention of Relapse Records, who signed KING WOMAN in 2016. KING WOMAN‘s debut full-length "Created in the Image of Suffering", recorded at Jack Shirley’s Atomic Garden was released in February 2017.
KING WOMAN is:
Kristina Esfandiari, Colin Gallagher, Joey Raygoza, Peter Arensdorf
Today’s tune ”Manna” is taken from the new album "Created in the Image of Suffering”. A soft calling vocal haunt and creeping guitar lead the set, Kristina Esfandiari’s powerful multilayered vocals never let the listener feel completely comfortable.
San Francisco's KING WOMAN unveil their debut full-length "Created In The Image of Suffering", a profoundly crafted opus of brooding, ethereal doom-rock. Led by the hypnotic and breathy vocal dramatics of Kristina Esfandiari, KING WOMAN harness the elastic textures and temporality of drone and metallic shoegaze alongside the transcendental, melancholic power of doom. Recorded with engineer Jack Shirley (DEAFHEAVEN, WRECK & REFERENCE, OATHBREAKER) at the Atomic Garden, "Created In The Image of Suffering’s" seven compositions evoke rich, gloomy imagery with crumbling washes of blurred, billowing distortion densely layered atop hazy, psychedelic atmospheres that call to mind a surrealistic Black Sabbath fronted by Mazzy Star. Complete with deeply personal, introspective lyrics that serve as catharsis for years of religious and mental torment, KING WOMAN truly suffer to create their art.
"Created In The Image of Suffering” releases February 24, 2017
KING WOMAN Consists of:
Kristina Esfandiari, Colin Gallagher, Joey Raygoza, Peter Arensdorf
Today’s tune "Deny” taken from the upcoming album "Created in the Image of Suffering”, due out February 24th, 2017 on CD/LP/Digital via Relapse Records. Pre-order here!
