Formed in August 1998 from the remnants of like-minded Baltimore groups THE GREAT UNRAVELING (Kill Rock Stars) and BEHIND CLOSED DOORS (Vermin Scum ), THE CONVOCATION OF... consists of Tonie Joy (guitar/vocals), Guy Blakeslee (bass) and George France (drums). While the band has shared the stage with such indie rock notables as BLONDE REDHEAD, UNWOUND and MAKE UP, hardcore outfits such as BLACK DICE, ORCHID and labelmates THE LOCUST, and "heavy" rock bands SPIRIT CARAVAN, THE FUCKING CHAMPS and KARMA TO BURN, THE CONVOCATION OF... manages to exist in a space between all three of these diverse scenes and genres with a sound that "epitomizes the union of ancient and futuristic urges." A power trio which places equal importance on rhythmic bombast, hypnotic low end and guitar wizardry, the Convocation of. has garnered comparisons to past and recent bands like SHELLAC, BLACK SABBATH, JOY DIVISION, and LED ZEPPELIN, but this myriad of influences falls short of capturing the band's sound or essence accurately. Progressive song structures and dense instrumental interplay are balanced with angular, yet very "heavy" guitar parts and catchy percussive loops, often straying from traditional "western" time signatures but avoiding the pitfalls of "math rock." After three U.S. tours, and a 12" ep of "remixes," on GSL (Gold Standard Laboratories), the Convocation of. releases their debut LP/CD this November, on the same imprint. This record is poised to make an indelible mark across many genres of underground music. While Tonie Joy was also a founding member of another Kill Rock Stars band, Universal Order of Armageddon, the widely influential, seminal hardcore band Moss Icon, and also played in Born Against, the Convocation of. stands firmly on its own, its three members redefining the past, and bringing fresh and lasting elements to the current state of new music.