Edmonton’s DEGENERATOR Unveil Emotive Sonic Experience in Debut LP

DEGENERATOR is an eclectic two-piece from Edmonton, Alberta featuring Barrett Klesko (guitar, bass, vocals) and Jonathan Webster (drums), a dream-weave of modern/heavy metal mingled with elements of grunge, sludge, stoner, progressive, and Gothic.

Frontman Kelsko reveals:

‘The Abyssal Throne’ is a lyrical journey of how I fit in the cosmic scheme. It touches on themes of time, madness, despair, and contrasting dark and light. The music, which came first, was shaped to match these themes.

The duo, in fact, began with Webster’s drum tracks and constructed the album around that scaffolding. Kelsko also experimented with vintage gear to produce a fuzzed-out sound inspired by '90s greats such as The Smashing Pumpkins, Type O Negative, and Alice in Chains.

There is a feeling of sorrow that pervades the record, but this is tempered by big drumming (“The Spiral”), compelling rhythms (“Hiraeth”), winding snake-like riffs (“Eternalism”), rumbling crescendos (“Heart Like a Hole”), and consoling vocals (“For Every Truth”).

The guitar play is outstanding throughout, with plenty of thoughtful touches (“Neurotonic”) and effective emotional moments (“A Way Out”) reminiscent of Jerry Cantrell. There is great musical inventiveness on display here, with a deft blend of influences. An ideal vibe for this foggy, cloud-covered Thanksgiving Day.

Degenerator’s new spin The Abyssal Throne is an emotionally moving album, worthy of being on a playlist with the likes of Chevelle, Young Hunter, Ancient VVisdom, Foot, and Mars Red Sky. Look for it this Friday, November 24th (pre-order here), and take it out for a long drive on a gloomy morning.

Give ear…

SOME BUZZ

Degenerator, Edmonton, Canada’s aggressive sonic titans, unleash a captivating blend of stoner, sludge, grunge, and goth rock with their debut album 'The Abyssal Throne,’ which is streaming now. Led by Barrett Klesko (Alle Else Fails) who is joined by Jonathan Webster (Pass of Era, ex-Striker), this relentless musical force delivers a spellbinding sound that resonates with fans of grunge, sludge, stoner, and doom metal. These internationally acclaimed musicians set the stage for an immersive journey through explosive moods, progressive time signatures, and hauntingly unusual vocal melodies. Klesko comments on what’s in store for those who check the album:

“This album is a radical departure from anything I have produced before. It’s more somber, but not as heavy, as All Else Fails, slower, but also more profound than the Misfires, and though it has more order than The Secret Places of the Earth, it still keeps some of the mystery. I hope my fans can discover a new facet of my creativity and a new bond with the art that I make.”

Degenerator is a sonic experiment that Klesko conducted to unleash the noise that was haunting his mind. He wanted to capture the essence of retro The Smashing Pumpkins, with their saturated fuzzy guitars, but also add a touch of gothic darkness that he finds deeply appealing. Interestingly, they started with the drums and then built everything else on top of them.

Drawing inspiration from the genre’s most revered figures, Degenerator fearlessly invites listeners into an enigmatic soundscape where raw emotions intertwine with thought-provoking lyrics. Their music reflects the complexities of the human experience, delving into the depths of despair while simultaneously igniting a raging fire within the soul.

From the very first notes, Degenerator launches audiences into a realm where aggression surges and anticipation fills the air. With their unyielding commitment to innovation, they flawlessly navigate intricate and progressive time signatures, resulting in a sonic assault that defies convention. Each song becomes an adrenaline-fueled journey, enticing listeners to surrender to the primal depths of their own emotions.

'The Abyssal Throne’ is completely DIY, mixed and mastered by Webster and produced by Klesko, who also did the album artwork and leveraged AI to create something that reflected how the music made him feel. It is recommended for open-minded fans who want to experience something new and who enjoy Baroness, Torche, Smashing Pumpkins, and Soundgarden.