Earthtone9

Signing to Copro Records in 1998, the band's first major release was the album Lo-Def(Inition) Discord, which comprised songs from their three demos with a few new tracks. The record was produced on a budget of £500. Their harshest and noisiest recording, it quickly grabbed the attention of the British rock press, with favourable reviews in Terrorizer and Metal Hammer and a five-star rating in mainstream modern rock magazine Kerrang!.

After extensive touring, Lo-Def(Inition) Discord was followed in 1999 by Off Kilter Enhancement. Again it was a critical success, but commercial recognition was limited. The band had more time and money to play with this time, and it is here that the classic earthtone9 sound crystallised - harsh metal inspired by Helmet and Neurosis, mixed with softer textured moments, with Tool-esque dynamics and arrangements, not to mention enigmatic song titles and lyrics. Barely a year later, after the departure of original bassist Graeme Watts, the band delivered their final album - voted 16th best album of 2000 by Metal Hammer - Arc'Tan'Gent. It was described by earthtone9 as the first record they were truly happy with, having for the first time not been rushed in the recording process.