Eyrie – Beak

In 2012, Beak’s Eyrie burst onto the scene as a genre-defying statement from a band unafraid to wield heaviness with purpose. This five-track, 25-minute EP, self-released and later crowdfunded for a vinyl pressing, showcases the Chicago quartet of Chris Eichenseer, Jason Goldberg, Jon Slusher, and Andy Bosnak – whose chemistry feels both raw and deliberate. Drawing from the atmospheric sprawl of post-metal titans like Isis and the gritty aggression of sludge and hardcore, Beak crafts a sound that’s as punishing as it is captivating.

The opener, “Angry Mother of Bones,” sets the tone with a slow, ominous build—drums rumble like distant thunder, guitars weave dissonant textures, and vocals snarl from the shadows. It’s a patient escalation that explodes into a cathartic wall of sound, signaling Beak’s knack for tension and release. “Hands Collide” follows, leaning harder into sludge territory with its thick, downtuned riffs and relentless momentum, yet it retains an experimental edge with jagged, off-kilter rhythms.

A sound that’s as punishing as it is captivating

“Men at Arms” is the standout, a brooding centerpiece that balances melody and menace. Its hypnotic repetition recalls Neurosis at their most introspective, while subtle effects (courtesy of Ray Dybzinski) add a haunting depth. “Billions of Eyes” ups the ante with thrash-inflected ferocity, proving Beak can shift gears without losing cohesion. The closer, “The Weight and Time,” is a meditative comedown—sprawling and atmospheric, it leaves you suspended in its sonic haze.

Recorded and mixed by Neil Strauch at Engine Studios, with mastering by Collin Jordan at The Boiler Room, Eyrie boasts a production that’s both polished and primal, letting every riff and scream breathe. For a debut, it’s remarkably assured, blending post-metal’s expansiveness with the immediacy of hardcore and the weight of doom. Eyrie isn’t just a promising start; it’s a bold declaration from a band poised to carve their own path in the heavy music landscape.

Label: Someoddpilot Records
Release date: April 4, 2012