There Were Wires were an underground hardcore/metal band from Boston, MA that formed in the late 90s. They quickly gained notoriety in New England for their intense and chaotic live shows. The band played regularly throughout the early 2000’s, sharing stages with prominent bands like Mastodon, Converge, and The Dillinger Escape Plan, along with successful tours with Daughters (Ipecac Records) and Zombi (Relapse Records).
There Were Wires were an early pioneer of the moody, atmospheric metal genre, and became an influential giant that would pave the way for a wave of slow, heavy music that would follow after the band’s demise. Members of There Were Wires later went on to play in Doomriders (Deathwish Inc.) and Disappearer (Dark Operative).
"Somnambulists" was There Were Wires’ sophomore release, originally released on Iodine Recordings in 2003. The record was a departure from their original fast and thrashy sound, which was dominant on their debut Self Titled LP. For this release, the band worked with producer Matt Squire at Camp Street and Q-Division studios. By this time, There Were Wires had matured as song writers and constructed songs considerably longer and more intricate than anything previously written. These tracks belied much of the frenetic energy of earlier works, moving glacially at times, winding tension with extended buildups and clean vocals while still maintaining its intensity. Somnambulists was not only a dramatic departure from the punchy abruptness of their earlier sound, but a welcomed one, as well - the record was met with much acclaim from fans and critics alike. Somnambulists is a full album experience that combines heavy, droning, and bluesy riffs with atmospheric interludes. The album follows a theme of loss, regret, sleep walking, and darkness.
Iodine Recordings and Tor Johnson Records are excited to present "Somnambulists" on vinyl for the first time ever. The album has been remastered for optimal listening and contains all new artwork in a gatefold jacket. The record also includes a previously unreleased cover of Tunic by Sonic Youth. This is Iodine Recordings’ first release in 17 years!
Credits:
Jaime Mason: Vocals
Jebb Riley: Bass and Vocals
Thomas Moses: Guitars
Don Belcastro: Guitars
Ryan Begley: Drums
Recorded and engineered by Matt Squire at Q-Division Studios
Mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side
All songs written by There Were Wires
except “Tunic” written by Sonic Youth
Track Listing:
01. New Doom
02. His Talk, Her Teeth
03. Walking
04. Get Cryptic
05. Waking
06. Black Magic Rabbit
07. Gasp
08. Tunic
First Press:
100 x Bone White / Black & Gold Splatter (Iodine Exclusive)
100 x Clear / Black & White Splatter (Tor Johnson Exclusive)
100 x Black / Silver Pinwheel (Deathwish Exclusive)
100 x Gold (Revelation Records Exclusive)
100 x Black & White A/B w/ Rainbow Splatter (Band Exclusive)
25 x White w/ Ltd. Alternate Cover (Limited to One Exclusive)
75 x White (Small Record Store Semi-Exclusive)
400 x Black
200 x Cassette Tapes - White / Black