An aggressive, shamanic performer, Hyde's charisma and otherworldly voice anchors one of the most transcendent sounds in the country. An experimental sonic sludge, furious and apocalyptic, it's a sound which has taken the local metal scene by storm since the Wellington quartet released its debut self-titled album in May 2011.
Recorded in Dunedin, in the quiet surrounds of Roslyn, the eponymous work's success has seen the band support the likes of metal heavyweights High on Fire, The Melvins, and the reformed Kyuss-Lives.
Now, a year on, the band is mixing their follow-up, again recorded in Dunedin with engineer Dale Cotton.
Tonight, though, they'll emerge to perform as part of Radio One's 91 Club at Sammy's, a venue, Hyde tells me over the phone, the group has always wanted to play.
"I know that everyone is really excited about playing Sammy's. It's steeped in Dunedin rock 'n' roll history.
"We love Dunedin, so of course we wanted to come down, but it's great that it's turned out to be at Sammy's. I hear it's a beautiful venue. It's a good sign for all of us making music in New Zealand to have a beautiful kick-ass venue in Dunedin."
The Dunedin visit also provides the opportunity to "kill two birds with one stone" and undertake some further work on the forthcoming record with Cotton.
"Dale likes to have a bit of space between recording and then mixing the album. I think he's still looking for the sound to incorporate into what we gave him. You go through a whole period of excitement, but it's a long process.
"[The album] is more heavy in parts, but then again we tried to experiment and actually grow as songwriters. There's one song on the album which reminds us of early Cure ... but I think it's a bit more metal."
The band also plans to tour internationally after the release of the record early next year.
However, with an average band age of 37, and Hyde and bassist James Woods both fathers, further success may come at a cost of lifestyle.
"We're still figuring out how we can balance it all," Hyde said.
"But with this band, there's always been a will, so I'm sure there will be a way. It'll happen." The difficulty is illustrated by Hyde's young daughter playfully fighting for her father's attention during our conversation.
In the interim, Hyde is just thankful to be working on a second album while playing to an ever-increasing audience in New Zealand.
"This is the year of working and playing in New Zealand. We shouldn't forget that it's great to have an audience in your own country."
Join that audience tonight at Sammy's.
See it, hear it
Radio One and The 91Club present Beastwars (Wellington), Mountaineater, Arcacend and Made In China tonight at Sammy's, Dunedin. Free entry with your 91Club card or $10 on the door. 91Club cards available from r1.co.nz or Cosmic, George St.
- Sam Valentine.
