SCIENTIST

Scientist biography
Scientist are an American progressive sludge metal band from Chicago, Illinois, founded in 2011 by former Yakuza vocalist/guitarist Eric Plonka. The group began as a trio of Plonka, drummer Justin Cape and bassist/guitarist Patrick Auclair. Scientist play a style of sludge reminiscent of Mastodon's early material, as well as Clutch and Isis.

The group independently released three full-length albums from 2013 to 2018. Their self-titled debut featured guest contributions by synthesist and producer Sanford Parker (of Minsk), vocalist Stavros Giannopoulos (of the Atlas Moth), Plonka's former Yakuza bandmate Bruce Lamont on saxophone and lap steel guitarist Jeff Lyman. Scientist's ambitious double LP, 2015's 10100||00101, saw the addition of bassist Matthew Milligan to the lineup and the return of guests Lyman and Giannopoulos, along with vocals by Pale Horseman guitarist Andre Almaraz, Without Waves guitarist Anthony Cwan and James Clayton Bowman. Barry Kotarba (of Boatman's Toll) would join Scientist afterwards on lead vocals, and 2018 saw the release of Barbelith, a concept album described by the band as the search for life's meaning through the use of psychedelics and the occult, only to discover that you haven't even been born yet, citing influence from Scottish comic book author Grant Morrison's The Invisibles.

Scientist come recommended to fans of Mastodon, Baroness and Neurosis as well as their acolytes Timeworn, Boss Keloid, the Atlas Moth, Huntsmen and Barishi.