Explosions In The Sky

With song titles like "First Breath After Coma," "With Tired Eyes, Tired Minds, Tired Souls, We Slept" and "Greet Death," it's safe to assume these are some serious dudes. But Explosions in the Sky leave the weighty words solely to the titles, translating dark emotion into richly cathartic instrumentals with the prowess of classical-music engineers bred on hard rock and metal. The Austin, Tex., band is one of the premier post-rock outfits alongside forebears like Mogwai, Sigur Ros and Godspeed You Black Emperor! Originally called Breaker Morant, they changed their name to Explosions in the Sky after being inspired by a fireworks display the night they laid down their first track. Their debut album, How Strange, Innocence, came in 2000, followed by 2001's Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell the Truth Shall Live Forever, which caused a bit of an uproar due to its unfortunate timing. Released just prior to September 11, 2001, the album cover features an airplane, and the liner notes read "This Plane Will Crash Tomorrow." But the band persevered and subsequently wrote the soundtrack for the 2004 film Friday Night Lights, followed by 2007's All of a Sudden I Miss Everyone.