The music is evocative of the Grails, sinuous and unpredictable. It is therefore logical that anything that was written about them mentions how the listener is reminded of his own experiences, backgrounds, moods and dreams. People react emotionally to songs powerfully evocative of the quintet of Portland, Oregon, because it forces them to fill themselves the gap between music and language. To quote a sage of 20th century "instrumental music is a total music" : no voice can tell us how we should feel, only the emotional and disturbing the music can.
Grails began in the late '90s as a solo project of guitarist Alex Hall. Having toured the local underground punk scene, he decided that the world has enough rock bands. So he keeps his music for him. But drummer Emil Amos and roommate (also a member of Holy Sons) encouraged Hall to assemble a group and play its mini-symphonies in public. A small group of talented local musicians - the violinist Timothy Horner, a former student of Jackie-O Motherfucker, pianist / bassist William Slater classic, and second guitarist Zak Riles - born under the name of Laurel Canyon, in order to play some individual concerts. Public reaction was so strong that a group was born, in spite of himself.
Laurel Canyon has recorded and self-released two EP's in 2000 and 2001 Pamlico Sounds, played a few concerts, and was soon invited by Michael Gira (Swans, Angels Of Light) to play his first games. On a whim, Hall sent a demo to Neurot Recordings and shortly after, the good surprise to be offered to join the label, by Steve Von Till, co-founder of Neurot, moreover also guitarist / singer Neurosis . People label, though not renowned for leaving the base as music from the entourage of the two founders (and not any group sending a demo), were so moved by the music of Laurel Canyon, they invited them to join their catalog.
Then everything falls into place quickly. 'The Burden of Hope' released under the new name of the group, Grails, in 2003. It is followed by their second album, 'Red Light' in 2004. Recently, the group recorded three times, compiled on 'Interpretation' , their latest EP, released in October 2005. In 2006, the band signed to Temporary Residence and a new album In 2007, Burning Off Impurities .
His battle cry is instrumental music, a blend of krautrock, psychedelia and post-rock. Environments mostly bluesy, and mysterious mediaeval or Oriental, which you project into another dimension!
Grails, Burning Off Impurities
