Hailing from the mountains of North Carolina, BASK was fully conceived in the fall of 2013 when guitarist Ray Worth, drummer Scott Middleton, bassist Jesse Van Note, and guitarist/vocalist Zeb Camp joined forces. The band’s new record, aptly titled III, showcases a soulful juxtaposition of Americana rock ‘n’ roll with progressive and psychedelic elements, separating BASK from your average Southern rock outfit.
Conceptually, each song on III is inspired by a piece of legend, folklore, or mythology, reexamining characters and situations that are often misunderstood or overlooked. Its overlying themes also including the natural world, the cyclical nature of human experience, revenge and subverting social norms.
Since forming in 2013, BASK has released two full lengths: American Hollow (2014) and Ramble Beyond (2017). The band has toured North America and Europe with seminal artists High On Fire and Weedeater, as well as contemporary figure heads Pallbearer, Kayo Dot, Royal Thunder, and Black Tusk. The band has also shared the bill with a range of diverse artists, from Guided By Voices to Carcass and Refused, on festivals such as Desert Fest Berlin and London, Speedfest in Eindhoven, The Netherlands, and Heavy Mountain in Asheville, NC.
BASK’s sound has been described as progressive and cinematic, containing glimpses of Appalachian tonality and heartfelt heaviness, something they unequivocally prove with III. While songs like “New Dominion” and “Stone Eyed” present a heavier dynamic from the band, tracks like “Maiden Mother Crone” and “Rid of You” serve up a melancholy elegance that showcases the band’s roots, adding to the record’s vast yet cohesive dimensions.
III is sure to take the listener on an emotional journey through its many peaks and valleys. It’s something you just must hear for yourself to truly grasp the depths of BASK’s rock ‘n’ roll soul. Esse Quam Videri.
