Blending a mirage of musical influences with a desire to create evocative music, Chicago’s KASTASYDE are set to unleash their third album, “Gnosis.” The band has produced an album that is the result of a decade of experimenting with different styles of metal, rock, and acoustic music coupled with touring and forging a dedicated fan base.
Featuring vocalist Jarrett Roberts, guitarists Eric Kornfeind and Jerome Marshall, bassist Dustin Roberts, and drummer Garry Naples (Novembers Doom), KASTASYDE is a collaborative effort of diverse influences. With their third album “Gnosis” the band has taken ingredients from many different genres of music to create a cohesive and exciting recording. “Gnosis” shows a band that is hungry to evolve their sound and defy categorization. Groove, atmosphere, and style take precedence for KASTASYDE and “Gnosis” is their newest evidence of that.
Since their first demos in 2005, the band has released 2 full-length albums and an EP. “Gnosis” shows further growth from those releases in songwriting, identity and overall sound. Compared to diverse bands such as Mastodon and Acid Bath, along with more extreme acts such as Napalm Death and Machine Head, KASTASYDE is ready to unveil a new chapter in their evolution.
“Gnosis” was mixed and tracked by Chris Wisco at Belle City Sound in Racine, Wisconsin. Drum tracking was done by Pete Grossman at Bricktop Recording in Chicago. The album features a guest guitar solo by Black Dahlia Murder guitarist Ryan Knight as well as lap steel guitar contributions by Justin Spring.
REVIEWS:
From the temperate climates of Chicago Illinois hails a 5 piece band known as KASTASYDE... A band who's musical variety varies almost as much as the weather of their hometown. From rich lush acoustic pieces to precision face stomping grooves, bass lines that rumble your stomach, Drums that put fully automatic weapons to shame, blistering lead solo's and a vocal spectrum that is seemingly unachievable by most in the metal/rock scene, this band has something for everyone to enjoy. The talent Kastasyde possess is easily seen through their well thought out music and intelligent lyrical content... Standing out from the normal cookie cutter approach at music with songs that most people can relate to at one point or another in their lives. Kastasyde is a force to reckon with! Despite their numerous line-up changes throughout the years these five individuals have honed their craft to a razors edge, and I myself highly recommend seeing their live performance as well as picking up their album "Hundred Hollow Words" which I consider an absolute Must-Have!
*Dave - DmenteD Dave Industries*
Sweet, pure, original metal sound, and one of the most original singers and lyricist for an unsigned metal band, this band has the potential to go as far as they want.
*Justin - Evening Shade Promotions*
This band offers everything "metal-heads" will go crazy and kill someone for. Fans of God Forbid, Lamb of God, and In Flames will greatly appreciate this rising metal group. The Windy City has spawned another really awesome metal band that stays true to metal in all forms possible. Songs like "Disease of the Weak" will definitely please metal fans all over the world with guitar riffs Jesus can't even resist head banging his head to. Fans of Opeth and My Dying Bride should really enjoy the acoustic depressive "Roots of Sorrow" which is one of my personal favorites. We're very glad that this band added us on MySpace. This is one of the best we have ever come across. It surprises me Kastasyde isn't signed and headlining tours all over the world. Their time will come, and one day everyone who reads magazines such as Kerrang, Revolver, Metal Edge, ect will know who the fuck they are!
*Wes - Sore in the Masterpiece*