SUMAC

SUMAC is a post-metal supergroup that has redefined the boundaries of heavy music by integrating free-jazz improvisation with sludge and noise rock. Formed in 2014 by Aaron Turner (Isis, Old Man Gloom), the trio includes bassist Brian Cook (Russian Circles, Botch) and drummer Nick Yacyshyn (Baptists).

Their sound identity is defined by extreme dynamic shifts, non-linear composition, and a focus on the 'physicality' of performance. While their early work like 'The Deal' leaned closer to traditional sludge, their evolution - particularly through collaborations with Keiji Haino - has pushed them into a more abstract, avant-garde space. Critically, they are viewed as a bridge between the disciplined structures of 2000s post-metal and the lawless experimentation of the Japanese noise scene. They occupy a unique cultural position as 'musician's musicians,' frequently cited for Yacyshyn's inventive drumming and Turner's philosophical approach to heavy sonics.