Khanate is a name that rings in the ears of fans of doom metal and experimental music alike. This iconic band, formed in New York City in 2000, has made some of the most immersive, intense, and disturbing music in recent decades. Khanate's sound is characterized by ultra-distorted guitar and bass riffs, crushing drums, and the ominous, torturous vocals of frontman Alan Dubin. In this article, we will delve into the fascinating story of Khanate's formation, evolution, and legacy, while also highlighting some of their most noteworthy albums and songs.
The members of Khanate first met in the early 1990s, while Dubin was performing with doom legends Old. After the dissolution of the band, Dubin and guitarist Stephen O'Malley formed the short-lived group Thorr's Hammer, which foreshadowed Khanate's glacial and suffocating sound. When Thorr's Hammer broke up, Dubin and O'Malley recruited drummer Tim Wyskida and bassist James Plotkin to complete the lineup of Khanate, setting out to push the boundaries of metal and noise.
Khanate's debut album, simply titled Khanate, was released in 2001, and it quickly established them as a force to be reckoned with in the underground scene. The album consists of only four tracks, each one clocking in at over ten minutes, and it's characterized by a sense of creeping unease and bleak hopelessness. Pieces of Quiet is arguably the standout track, featuring Dubin's harrowing screams over a minimalist bassline and eerie feedback from O'Malley's guitar. Khanate further honed their sound on their subsequent releases, Things Viral (2003) and Capture & Release (2005), which introduced elements of drone, free jazz, and experimental musique concrete into the mix.
One of Khanate's most famous songs is Commuted, from the album Capture & Release. This track is a harrowing journey through layers of dissonance and feedback, building up to a cathartic release of primal screams and pummeling drums. The song showcases Dubin's ability to convey a profound sense of anguish and despair through his voice, while the rest of the band creates a suffocating sonic maelstrom. Another standout track from Khanate's discography is No Joy, the opening cut from Things Viral. This song immediately sets the tone for the album with its churning, sludgy riff and Dubin's ominous whispering. As the song progresses, it becomes more and more claustrophobic, with Plotkin's bass and Wyskida's drums creating a wall of noise that seems to crush everything in its path.
In terms of influences, Khanate drew from a wide array of sources, from the droning soundscapes of early Earth and Sunn O))), to the grindcore intensity of Napalm Death and the visionary experimentalism of Merzbow. However, Khanate's unique sound and approach truly set them apart from their contemporaries, carving out their own niche in the underground music scene. Khanate's music is not for the faint of heart, but for those who dare to plunge into the abyss, it offers a profound and haunting experience.
Khanate's musical biography is one that stands as a testament to the power of experimentation, collaboration, and artistic vision. This band's legacy is not only the music they created but also the inspiration they gave to other artists to forge their own paths and push the boundaries of what is possible in music. If you are a fan of doom metal, experimental music, or just want to experience a cathartic release of sonic violence, Khanate is a band you should definitely check out.
