Mouth of the Architect

Formed in 2003, Dayton, Ohio's atmospheric metal quartet Mouth of the Architect now features Jason Watkins (vocals/keyboards/samples), Steve Brooks (guitar), Kevin Schindel (bass) and Dave Mann (drums). Combining progressive and sludge-metal ethics with moody ambiance and electronic samples, Mouth of the Architect debuted their experimental sound on 2004's Time & Withering. Garnering notoriety on the underground scene with ready-made comparisons to Isis and Neurosis, M.O.T.A suffered a few lineup changes that resulted in a decision to relocate to Seattle. With the help of Botch's Brian Cook on bass, Architect released their 2006 follow-up The Ties That Bind. At the forefront of a re-emerging melancholia scene, Mouth of the Architect returned again in 2008 with their third effort, Quietly, which those hungry for lengthy songs that invoke pained-yet-hopeful moody passages eat up contentedly.