Ohio
riff rockers LO-PAN return to the road this evening supporting The Obsessed and
Karma To Burn on a two-plus-week stretch of dates from May 3rd through May
20th. See all confirmed dates below.
LO-PAN released their limited-edition five-song EP, In Tensions,
earlier this year via Brooklyn’s Aqualamb
Records (Husbandry, Black Black Black, Godmaker et al). Recorded in Columbus,
Ohio by Joe Viers, with mixings duties split between Jonathan Nunez (Torche,
Shitstorm) and Ryan Haft (Wrong, Capsule) in Miami, and mastered in Chicago by
Carl Saff (Big Business, Helms Alee, Russian Circles), In Tensions is a sonic
masterpiece created across multiple time zones — the fruit of relationships
forged through the band’s unending dedication to the life of touring road dogs.
The record continues to reap the approval of critics with
Sputnik Music noting, “the constant onslaught of raucous guitars and fat bass
lines are punctuated really well by the meticulous production, significantly
relying on their power whilst remaining crystal clear.” We Love Metal hails a,
“serious riff fest,” further championing LO-PAN’s “down and dirty metal style,”
combined with, “hints of ‘90s alternative and maybe some Helmet.” Two Guys
Metal Reviews notes, “It’s easy to get lost in this album simply because In
Tensions demonstrates the sort of pulse that made records in the ‘70s so
addictive. It’s a sort of constant throb that winds its way through every song
on the album and makes it feel even shorter than its five tracks would suggest.
This is a good thing though – In Tensions rapidly becomes highly addictive, an
album you wrap up and then can’t help but want to jam again.” PureGrainAudio
writes of “Long Live The King” specifically, “The track begins with a
fuzzed-out, driving bass line and then a Soundgarden-esque riff jumps on top of
that. Jeff Martin’s air-raid siren vocals are showcased in stride and there’s a
drum groove that glues everything together.”
Elsewhere the sentiment echoes. Spill Magazine issues, “In
Tensions is an important stepping-stone for LO-PAN, as they find themselves
already on the road gearing up for a busy year of touring. If In Tensions is
any indication of the band’s promise to keep progressing, to keep perfecting
their music, then the future can only hold bright things for LO-PAN.” Nine
Circle concurs, “In Tensions sits proudly as a reminder of the ability for that
perfect combination of frequencies to insinuate itself at a cellular level in
your very being, even if you don’t know all the words yet.” Adds Indy Metal
Vault, “Simply put, In Tensions is twenty-two minutes of music that’s as close
to perfection as it gets. One listen and you’ll have the riffs and melodies
stuck in your head for weeks.”
In Tensions is available on ten-inch vinyl and comes
accompanied by a one-hundred-page book featuring artwork by Chris Smith of Grey
Aria Design as well tour diaries, flyers, and a complete collection lyrics from
the band’s previous releases: Sasquanaut, Salvador, and Colossus.
Orders are currently available for In Tensions at THIS LOCATION where the record can also be streamed in full.
LO-PAN w/ The Obsessed, Karma To Burn:
5/07/2017 Korova – San
Antonio, TX
5/08/2017 Siberia – New
Orleans, LA
5/09/2017 The Jinx – Savannah,
GA
5/10/2017 Hideaway – Johnson
City, TN
5/11/2017 EARL – Atlanta,
GA
5/12/2017 Gramps – Miami,
FL
5/13/2017 Ground Zero – Spartanburg, SC
5/14/2017 Pour House – Raleigh,
NC
5/16/2017 Kung Fu Necktie – Philadelphia, PA
5/17/2017 ONCE Ballroom – Boston, MA
5/18/2017 Saint Vitus – Brooklyn, NY
5/19/2017 The Ballroom at Outer Space – New Hanover, CT
5/20/2017 Otto Bar – Baltimore, MD
In Tensions is equal parts modern sludge metal and
‘90s-influenced alt rock — synthesized to In Tensions is equal parts modern
sludge metal and ‘90s-influenced alt rock — synthesized to perfection. Vocalist
Jeff Martin has never sounded more soulful, confident, and passionate on
record. The riffs courtesy of the now former guitarist Adrian Lee Zambrano
compliment the tribal influenced drums of Jesse Bartz and grounding bass lines
of Skot Thompson, pummeling the listener on each repeated listen.
LO-PAN is:
Jeff Martin – vocals
Skot Thompson – bass
Jesse Bartz – drums
Chris Thompson – guitar
Additional Musician:
Adrian Lee Zambrano – guitars on In Tensions
http://www.lopandemic.com
http://www.facebook.com/lopandemic
http://www.aqualamb.org
http://wwwaqualamb.bandcamp.com
http://www.facebook.com/aqualambrecords
http://www.facebook.com/lopandemic
http://www.aqualamb.org
http://wwwaqualamb.bandcamp.com
http://www.facebook.com/aqualambrecords
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