Jazz

Kilter

Heavy, industrial-tinged jazz that hits with the force of metal. Dissonant saxophones and distorted bass for moments of high-stakes focus.

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Intro

Kilter is a Brooklyn-based trio consisting of bassist Laurent David, drummer Kenny Grohowski, and saxophonist Ed RosenBerg III. They occupy a unique space in the contemporary music landscape, blending the technical complexity of avant-garde jazz with the sonic weight of metal and industrial music.

Their sound identity is defined by the 'metal-jazz' aesthetic, characterized by heavily distorted bass lines that often take the role of a rhythm guitar, polyrhythmic drumming, and aggressive, dissonant woodwind melodies. Their 2020 release 'Axiom' solidified their reputation among the 'jazz-metal' elite, often drawing comparisons to projects like John Zorn's Naked City or Painkiller. The group frequently collaborates with figures from the experimental world, including vocalists from the operatic and metal spheres, as seen in 'La Suspendida'. Critically, they are praised for their precision and the way they translate the 'loud-quiet-loud' dynamic of alternative rock into a sophisticated improvisational framework. They represent a growing movement of conservatory-trained musicians who reject genre boundaries in favor of high-intensity, texture-driven exploration.

Our Catalog3 Albums · 2020 · 2023
The Sound · Center of GravityWeighted across the artist's discography. Tap a trait for examples.
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