Hiss - A Cheapened Crown

HISS have released their new album of heavy, sludgy noise rock. Formally known as Still/Form they continue the sound of that group in new ways.

HISS is a 3-piece band from Portland, OR playing sludgy, heavy noise rock that began playing out in the last year. If their sound is somewhat familiar to you, it's because HISS is the latest version of Robert Comitz (guitar/vox) and Kirk Evans' (bass/vox) 2 previous band, Still/Form. They continue on as HISS, alongside drummer Chase Hall, who previously played with Comitz in Marriage + Cancer. HISS is comprised of the heaviest players of both bands. Retaining some of the disturbing and jarring guitar work reminiscent of Marriage + Cancer, as well as the sludgy heft of Still / Form, HISS delve more into driving heaviness, crushing rhythms, and riffy songs. Comitz' raspy vocals provide an unsettling layer that gives the music an added dose of unease. "A Cheapened Crown" is a debut album that doesn't easily slip into categories like 'metal', 'post-hardcore' or even strictly 'noise rock'. They're just heavy and unsettling. HISS recorded the effort at LoRent Studio, had it mixed by Bob Cheek (Haunted Horses / Bronson Arm / Elephant Rifle etc), and finally mastered by Carl Saff. The band has put the time in to craft these songs and lay them to tape with attention to detail in the weight of the music, making it as heavy as can be without making the needle skip.