Dredg

The perennial masters of creating mood and atmospheric effects with their music, the Bay Area foursome of dredg bring an unparalleled artistry and intellectualism with their signature brand of artsy prog-rock. Frontman Gavin Hayes’ sparkling vocals never fail to have a visceral impact on listeners, no matter how much he may distort them. Whether going the dark and haunting route, or the big and epic route, these guys are expert storytellers, both sonically and lyrically. Not gonna lie, a good portion of the audience is going to be tripping balls during their set, but even if you opt to abstain, the band still takes you on worthwhile journey with each of their songs. And even eight years later, the El Cielo album is still totally my jam. - Brien Overly