KHANATE (pronounced CON-EIGHT) was born in Manhattan autumn 2000 after an initial meeting between James Plotkin/Bass (OLD, SCORN, James Plotkin's ATOMSMASHER, DEATH AMBIENT, TRIFID PROJECT, Lotus Eaters, several releases on Kranky, Relapse, Rawkus and other labels under his own name and in collaboration with various other individuals) and Stephen O’Malley/Guitar (Thorr’s Hammer, Burning Witch, Sunn O))), Lotus Eaters).
Plotkin arranged vocal torture courtesy of Alan Dubin (ex-OLD) with whom he had been working together in the proto-dirge unit SHADOWCAST during 2000. Tim Wyskida ( current drummer in BLIND IDIOT GOD) blessed the group with his hammers and KHANATE became solidified.

During winter-spring 2001 KHANATE recorded and produced their self titled debut for Southern Lord, in studio necrodrone8negatives, with final mastering by Mathias Schneeberger (THE OBSESSED, SAINT VITUS, GOATSNAKE). The sounds can probably be described as the next step down the mentally unstable ladder from BURNING WITCH. Ultra gravitational hellish brooding black doom metal with inhuman vocal constructs.

The album received mega-praise in the metal underground as well as experimental circles. Khanate showcased their true brutality live w/a eastern US tour w/ Thrones and Sigh (Japan). Word quickly spread that the band was much more than a studio-project. Suffocating volume, deadly precision and of course the slowest tempos (in)-humanly possible crushed every audience in their wake.

2003 unveiled the next wave/installment of studio damage from these grimm ones. In June the band unleashed a vinyl-only 12” with a new track: “Dead” , and a remix of “No Joy” (from the S/T CD version), on the much respected Load label (Lightning Bolt, Brainbombs).

The end of October brings their second full length, “Things Viral”, via Southern Lord. “Things Viral” showcases Khanate at their peak. The chemistry of theplayers has intensified into something otherworldly. With extremely advanced songwriting mixed with the unusual trademark Khanate production, Khanate has focused their attention on extreme dynamics and the “space between notes” on this album. Its difficult to pinpoint reference points when talking about Khanate, but if needed:

Imagine Bon Scott-era AC/DC puked through a qualude binge, captured in the studio by Steve Albini. Laugh while you can because afer carefully ingesting this album, chronic depression will set in.

For more information: http://www.ideologic.org