Earthride

Originally formed as a side project by Spirit Caravan bassist David Sherman in 1999, Maryland's Earthride (for whom he handles vocal duties) became a full-time concern after that band's dissolution two years later. Also featuring guitarist Kyle Vansteinburg, bassist Joe Ruthvin, and ex-Internal Void drummer Eric Little, Earthride vowed to perpetrate "pure Maryland doom for the brotherhood of music," and by the year 2000, had already recorded an eponymous, self-released debut EP. Characterized by the band's highly accomplished, but strictly blue-collar approach to doom metal, as well as Sherman's distinctive Lemmy-like, hoarse croak, this in turn paved the way for the full-length Taming of the Demons album, which was produced by stoner scene veteran Chris Kozlowski and released by Southern Lord Recordings in summer 2002.