earthtone9

earthtone9 is an alternative metal group from Nottingham, United Kingdom. It forms in 1998 and remains active. Their early line-up on most of the major releases features Karl Middleton on vocals, Owen “Oz” Packard and Joe Roberts on guitar, Graeme Watts on bass, and Simon Hutchby on drums. For the final EP, Omega, Alex Baker replaces Hutchby on drums. Other members associated with the group include Dave Anderson and The Phantom Atlas.

Early releases

The band signs to Copro Records in 1998 and makes its first major release with lo def(inition) discord, an album built from re-recorded songs from two earlier demos with a few new tracks. It is recorded on a budget of £500 and is described as the group’s harshest and noisiest recording. The album draws attention in the British rock press, with positive reviews in Terrorizer and Metal Hammer and a five-star rating in Kerrang!.

After extensive touring, earthtone9 follows with Off-Kilter Enhancement in 1999. The record again receives critical praise, though it achieves limited commercial recognition. By this point, the group’s sound is established as a mix of harsh metal influenced by Helmet and Neurosis, quieter textured passages, Tool-like dynamics and arrangements, and distinctive song titles and lyrics.

arc'tan'gent and later activity

After the loss of bassist Graeme Watts, the band releases arc'tan'gent, which is widely regarded as one of the high points of British metal. The group describes it as the first record they are fully happy with, and the recording process is the first time they are not rushed.

Plans for an American record deal do not come together, beyond some limited distribution of existing material. The band later loses Simon Hutchby, struggles on for a couple of years, and announces its dissolution in early 2002. After the farewell tour, the rejected demo Omega appears as an EP, pointing towards a more melodic direction.

In 2004, hi-point (rem) is issued as a remastered version of the band’s first EP, hi-point. In 2010, the group announces a reunion to play a small number of shows, and later that year releases the free download compilation Inside, Embers Glow….

Members and later projects

After the split, the members continue in other projects. Karl Middleton joins the hardcore supergroup The Blueprint and also sings in Twinzero with Si on drums. Owen Packard moves into the industry side of music. Joe Roberts releases a few solo MP3s online before disappearing from public view.