Level Plane Records signs Bloody Panda

Official press release: Diverse indie label Level Plane Records proudly adds New York doom act Bloody Panda to its ranks. Driven by the mournful, melodic vocals of Japanese frontwoman Yoshiko Ohara, Bloody Panda's transcendent sound finds its roots in the dirge-like power of Swans, the amplifier-worshipping textures of Earth, and the ethereal tension of Skepticism, as well as in various traditional styles from around the globe. The band synthesizes its esoteric influences into focused, powerful, anthemic songs, hailed by Decibel Magazine as "Khanate-caliber doom metal" and by CMJ New Music Monthly as "New York microtonal funeral doom". Backing Ohara are guitarist Josh Rothenberger, bassist Bryan Camphire, keyboardist Blake McDowell, and drummer Dan Weiss. Weiss' ongoing work in the jazz and world music genres has earned him worldwide acclaim; he has collaborated with such players as Mr. Bungle's Trevor Dunn and has made his mark as a solo artist through his critically-worshipped reinterpretation of traditional Indian tabla music. Bloody Panda has been turning heads since 2003 with its live show -- an intense, theatrical experience in which band members perform in executioner's hoods -- and, in that time, has shared stages with the likes of Thrones, Akron/Family, Kayo Dot, Unearthly Trance, Wolf Eyes, Mouth Of The Architect, Zombi, and Genghis Tron. Among the converted is Eyehategod's Brian Patton, who witnessed the live spectacle and personally invited the band to contribute a track to the Eyehategod tribute album, "For The Sick" (out in January 2007 on Emetic Records, with Bloody Panda's cover of "Anxiety Hangover".) Bloody Panda can also be heard on a split EP with experimental act Kayo Dot, out now on Holy Roar Records. Bloody Panda's full-length debut will be released on Level Plane in April 2007. The album was recorded by Jason Marcucci (Flaming Lips, White Stripes) and mastered by Sarah Register (Lou Reed, Calla). The band will be touring in support of the album.