Gone Is Gone

The Mysterious, Genre-Defying Sound of Gone Is Gone
If you're a fan of experimental rock that pushes boundaries and defies genre limitations, then you need to check out Gone Is Gone. This SoCal-based supergroup features members of some of the most innovative bands in recent memory – members of Mastodon, Queens of the Stone Age, and At the Drive-In all come together to create a sound that's both familiar and completely unique. But what is it about these musicians that makes Gone Is Gone so special? In this article, we'll explore the musical biography of the band, highlight some of their best songs, and try to define their ever-elusive genre.
The story of Gone Is Gone begins in 2016, when Mastodon bassist and vocalist Troy Sanders joined forces with Troy Van Leeuwen (Queens of the Stone Age), Tony Hajjar (At the Drive-In), and film composer and multi-instrumentalist Mike Zarin to create something new and different. The band's self-titled debut EP was released in the summer of that year, and it showcased a sound that was simultaneously heavy, haunting, and hypnotic. Since then, the band has released two full-length albums and continued to evolve their sound and style.
One of the standout tracks from Gone Is Gone's debut EP is Stolen From Me, a haunting and atmospheric track that showcases the band's ability to create a sense of foreboding and unease. The song builds gradually, with layers of guitars, drums, and synthesizers adding to the tension as Sanders' vocals become more and more desperate. The chorus is a cathartic release, with the band unleashing their heavy side in a way that feels both organic and surprising.
Another track that highlights the band's unique style is Gift, which features an almost trip-hop inspired beat and a dark, brooding melody. The song features dueling vocals from Sanders and Zarin, with the former delivering his lines with a sense of urgency while the latter croons in a more restrained, almost ethereal style. The song is a perfect example of how Gone Is Gone can blend seemingly disparate elements to create something that's both familiar and new.
But what genre does Gone Is Gone actually belong to? The band themselves have described their sound as experimental rock, but that doesn't really do justice to the wide range of influences and styles they incorporate into their music. There are elements of hard rock, shoegaze, prog rock, and even electronic music in their sound, and yet they manage to make all of these disparate elements cohere into something that's uniquely their own.
One of Gone Is Gone's most memorable live performances was their appearance at the 2017 Riot Fest in Chicago. The band played a blistering set that included tracks from their debut EP and their follow-up album Echolocation, and they managed to engage the crowd in a way that was both intense and intimate. Sanders is a charismatic frontman who has a way of drawing the audience in with his energy and passion, while Hajjar is a powerhouse drummer who drives the band forward with his thunderous beats.
But even with all of these accolades, it's hard to talk about Gone Is Gone without acknowledging some of the criticisms that have been leveled against them. Some critics have accused the band of being too experimental for their own good, with songs that lack structure or coherence. Others have criticized Sanders' vocals, saying that they can be muddled or unintelligible at times. However, for many fans, these flaws are part of what makes the band so exciting and boundary-pushing.
Gone Is Gone may not be a household name yet, but they're a band that deserves to be recognized for their creativity, musicianship, and willingness to take risks. Their eclectic sound and genre-defying approach make them a fascinating and intriguing addition to the rock landscape, and their ability to create music that's both heavy and haunting is a testament to their talents. So if you're looking for something new and different to add to your music collection, give Gone Is Gone a listen. You never know – they just might become your new favorite band.
Gone Is Gone may not be a household name yet, but they're a band that deserves to be recognized for their creativity, musicianship, and willingness to take risks. Their eclectic sound and genre-defying approach make them a fascinating and intriguing addition to the rock landscape, and their ability to create music that's both heavy and haunting is a testament to their talents. So if you're looking for something new and different to add to your music collection, give Gone Is Gone a listen. You never know – they just might become your new favorite band.