Morne

Known for mixing the murky heaviness of sludge metal with more experimental, atmospheric elements, Boston, Massachusetts' Morne began as the brainchild of Milosz Gassan in 2005. Initially started as a solo project, Gassan eventually expanded the lineup to include bassist Max Furst and drummer Kevin Adams, who joined the band just before the recording of its first demo. With a lineup established, the band's sound began to evolve from its demo, and the following year Jeff Hayward (of the doom/sludge outfit Grief) joined Morne as a second guitarist. In 2009, Gassan and the now fully realized Morne made their full-length debut with Untold Wait. With their debut drawing praise from metal icons like Darkthrone, Morne hit a rough spot later that year when Adams departed due to artistic differences before the band set out on a European tour (where Alabama Thunderpussy's Erik Larson filled in). The next year, Morne found a more permanent replacement on the drums in Billy Knockenbauer, and invited keyboardist Ian Schultz to join the band on a permanent basis as well. Back to fighting strength, Morne headed back to work in the studio, and in 2011 released their second album, Asylum.