KYLESA
Photos by Teodor Bjerrang, taken at their concert at Rockefeller during the 2025 Inferno Metal Festival in Oslo.
Kylesa is a sludge metal band out of Savannah, Georgia, that kicked off in 2001. They spun out of a crust punk group called Damad, bringing in guitarist/vocalist Laura Pleasants to help shape their sound. The name “Kylesa” actually comes from a Buddhist term about mental chaos, which fits their vibe perfectly — heavy, gritty riffs, crazy layered rhythms (they had two drummers), and trippy psychedelic touches. Albums like Static Tensions and Ultraviolet really show off how wild and textured they could get. They went quiet in 2016 but just made a comeback in 2024, gearing up for a fresh run in 2025.
