The Automaton, in Greek mythology, is the big robot that’s the guardian of the Gods, basically. It’s a soulless, big machine named Talos. The big machine that’s working against mankind at this moment. In ‘Jason and the Argonauts’, Jason and the Argonauts have to battle this big machine guy that protects the island. Basically, what the album title is saying, metaphorically, is ‘Pike against the World.’” From reverent youth to Grammy-winning riff-wielder, Pike has always housed a boundless enthusiasm for the six-string and the stupendous sounds that – in the right hands – the instrument can produce. “I wanted to play guitar since I was born, basically,” proffers Matt Pike when asked about the formative years of his musical maturation. The iconic guitarist of High on Fire and Sleep seemingly came into the world with inherent talent.

We have separately been kicked out of every band we’ve ever been in. We are no longer allowed to talk about music in public or comment on the songwriting and/or riff writing and/or live performance of your band. We cannot play a show with “your band.” We are not a band. We can not have our pictures taken together. We are not allowed to rent our own, or share a practice space with another group. We each show up separately to “shows.” We do not have band van. We do not have a band fund. When we play “shows” we, “send any money the touring band’s way.” We are allowed to “support local shows” by attending and/or booking them, as long as we do not comment on the songwriting and/or riff writing and/or live performance of your band. We are allowed to DJ a local psuedo-Metal club and/or hole in the wall-bar that will let us DJ on an off night if we “draw out a few friends” as long as we do not answer “What band” this is when you come up to us and ask us when said band’s song is blaring and can barely be heard over, before you respond, “I thought this sounded familiar.” We once played with Electric Wizard (because somebody made us). We are not allowed to be “thrown on the list,” even if you were to say to us, “Hey man, what are you doing this Wednesday? Come out to the show. I’ll throw you on the list.” The previous owner of our Bassist's Emperor Bass cab was THE WAR ON DRUGS.

These Beasts (Chicago, Illinois) are a trio of hard driving heavy metal, soul bending space rock, and power noise that will rock your face off.