
Rising from the ashes of Agalloch and Giant Squid, a new group is born: Khôrada. Featuring former Agalloch members Don Anderson (guitar), Jason Walton (bass) and Aesop Dekker (drums) alongside ex-Giant Squid guitarist/vocalist Aaron John Gregory, Khôrada creates colossal, textured, and emotionally powerful music. The group will release its debut album, SALT, on July 20th via Prophecy Productions.
Today, the band has unveiled the artwork, tracklisting and first new single, “Ossify,” from the upcoming record. Stream the new song now below:
“"Ossify" was the last song we wrote for SALT, with the sole purpose in mind of it being the big closer on the record. By premiering this track first, we may be giving away the ending of the movie. But, we'd rather think of it as a flash forward - leaving the listener to ponder all that came before it - especially considering the strange yet fitting "futuristic" vibe of the song, thanks in large part to the contribution of lush keyboards by Andrew Southard from Giant Squid. Lyrically "Ossify" explores what I imagine may transpire after all the often dystopian themes told throughout SALT.” - Aaron Gregory
As a completely fresh concept, Khôrada is an opportunity for the musicians to explore new soundscapes while creatively challenging themselves. With SALT, Khôrada forges breathtaking swathes of sound that swell, stretch, submerge and recede with panoramic power.
At once atmospheric, aggressive and apocalyptic, the album's emotion is driven by the band members' view of today's world; these are precarious times. SALT was written under the pressure and uncertainty of the beginning of the Trump-era, standing as a musical exploration of the landscape in which, we now live. Paired with the surreally visceral artwork of internationally renowned painter & sculptor Cedric Wentworth, the visual explorations prove to be as haunting as the ethereal vocals of Aaron himself.
“SALT is what a collection of musicians, each with over 20 years of experience, sound like when they start over from zero. All the music on this album was composed immediately following the conclusion of both Agalloch and Giant Squid. For all of us, this is what rebuilding, reorganizing, and reimagining sounds like.” - Don Anderson

SALT Tracklisting:
01. Edeste
02. Seasons Of Salt
03. Water Rights
04. Glacial Gold
05. Augustus
06. Wave State
07. Ossify
SALT will be released as Digisleeve CD, Gatefold 2LP, 2CD book edition (hardcover, 18x18cm, 36 pages with enhanced artwork, liner notes and Rudimentary Peni cover song) and ltd. complete box set; including Gatefold 2LP, 2CD book edition, 7" single featuring a B-side cover of Rudimentary Peni’s “Shard,” art prints and signed/numbered certificate. Pre-order the record now at https://prophecy.lnk.to/khorada-salt.
The dissolution of two of America's most beloved underground groups has resulted in the formation of perhaps the scene's most highly anticipated new band. With a sound built upon a resolute sense of purpose, Khôrada has arrived.
ONLINE
LINEUP
Jason Walton - bass
Don Anderson - guitar
Aaron John Gregory - guitar, vocals
Aesop Dekker - drums
BIOGRAPHY
Following the abrupt dissolution of the world renown, post-black-metal band, Agalloch, and the indefinite hiatus of the critically acclaimed, cult, doom-rock band, Giant Squid, a new band - KHôRADA - was formed. In August of 2016, the formation of the band was announced to great excitement and surprise among the metal world.
KHôRADA features Don Anderson (guitar), Aesop Dekker (drums), and Jason Walton (bass) of Agalloch, with Giant Squid frontman, Aaron John Gregory (guitar and vocals).
Upon forming, the band immediately started writing their debut album entitled, SALT, and quickly penned a deal with German based label, Prophecy Productions, to release it.
KHôRADA entered The Hallowed Halls recording studio in Portland, Oregon in July of 2017 with legendary producer, Billy Anderson (Neurosis, Agalloch, Pallbearer) and completed the basic tracking for SALT. Remaining guitar and vocal work was recorded in Oakland at Sharkbite Studios, also with Billy Anderson at the helm, and the neighboring Antisleep Studios with producer Scott Evans.
The album features guest appearances by Jackie Perez Gratz (Giant Squid, Grayceon, Amber Asylum) on cello, Andrew Southard (Giant Squid, Squalus) on keys, Nate Perkins (Giant Squid) on trumpet, and Bryan Beeson (Giant Squid, Squalus) providing transitional noise pieces. All album art work was done by San Francisco artist, Cedric Wentworth.
DISCOGRAPHY
Salt - 2018