PREMIERE: Eight Bells Set Sail With "Hating," a Heavy, Atmospheric New Track Off Their New Album

Photo by Veleda Thorsson

Search "Eight Bells" on Google, and one of the first results points you towards a painting. In 1886, artist Winslow Horner gave 2D life to two sailors; they stood on deck, peering out into the waves, instruments in hand, searching for clarity (or coordinates, if you prefer to be pragmatic). It depicts a moment of calm reflection in the midst of a journey defined by chaos. While it may be a stretch to think that Portland experimental doom trio Eight Bells drew their name from this particular painting, it's easy enough to draw a parallel between those tempest tossed souls and the members of strange heavy music band trying to navigate a different kind of murky waters.

Originally formed in 2010 by SubArachnoid Space veteran Melynda Jackson, Eight Bells has endured a series of permutations over the past half decade before arriving at its current form: a trio, comprised of Jackson on guitar, and two newer members— bassist Haley Westeiner, and drummer Rae Amitay. Their latest recording, Landless, is a tour de force, grounded in the same out-there progression, ethereal atmosphere, and unexpected harmonies as its predecessor, The Captain's Daughter (maybe my nautical musings aren't that much of a reach after all).

"Hating" is the first track off the trio's upcoming sophomore album, which was produced by tone god Billy Anderson and drops 2/12 on vinyl digital formats via Battleground Records (and on tape via Tartarus Records). Wrap your ears around it right here:

Catch Eight Bells on tour with Voivod and Vektor early next year: Feb 6 - Providence, RI @ Fete Ballroom
Feb 7 - New York, NY @ Gramercy Theatre
Feb 9 - Morgantown, WV @ Mainstage
Feb 10 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Altar Bar
Feb 11 - Asbury Park, NJ @ Stone Pony
Feb 12 - Lancaster, PA @ Chameleon Club
Feb 13 - Washington, DC @ Black Cat
Feb 14 - Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter
Feb 16 - Raleigh, NC @ Kings
Feb 18 - Charlotte, NC @ Neighborhood Theatre
Feb 19 - Sanford, FL @ West End Trading Co.
Feb 20 - Ybor City, FL @ Orpheum
Feb 21 - Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade
Feb 22 - Knoxville, TN @ The Concourse
Feb 23 - Newport, KY @ Southgate House
Feb 24 - Chicago, IL @ The Abbey Pub
Feb 25 - Cudahy, WI @ The Metal Grill
Feb 26 - St Paul, MN @ The Amsterdam
Feb 27 - Omaha, NE @ Waiting Room
Feb 28 - St Louis, MO @ Firebird