CIVIL ELEGIES

Formed in early 2014, Glasgow's CIVIL ELEGIES has been described as "something of a secret institution... producing vicious, bilious noise-rock with few frills and zero punches pulled." (Echoes and Dust)

Comprising members of bands past and present such as The Ninth Wave, Gendo Ikari, Moni Jitchell, Thin Privilege to name but a few, the three-piece has spent years honing their sound through near-constant live performances in the early days (opening for bands like Full of Hell, The Body and Birds in Row), and an equal dedication to recording. The three albums (recorded and almost entirely self-released in just two years between 2014-16) see a move towards lurching, menacing, repetitive slabs of sound produced by the guitar duo of Hamish Black and Kyalo Searle-Mbullu, lent urgency by drummer Grant Donaldson's fluid but assertive grooves. Hamish's lyrics—often utilising literary references/devices as a means through which to explore severe trauma; crises of mental health, the self and society; political anger; artistic frustration, etc.—act as a ferocious thematic glue to the cacophony occurring behind him. The resulting sound could reasonably be viewed as a mix between Godflesh, Melvins, Swans and Lungfish. An exercise in pure catharsis, with the intent to use music to move people not emotionally, but physically.

After a long break, the band returned in 2023 to record a new EP (the upcoming No Life) and will continue to create and release new music when they feel like.