Tokyo trio blurring sludge metal, drone, and noise into a genre-defying sound that reshaped underground metal's international reach.
MOODS · heavy · droning · psychedelic · noisy · experimental · sludgy · atmospheric · intense · minimalist · unpredictable · immersive · raw
BIOGRAPHY
Formed in Tokyo in 1992, Boris began as a four-piece before settling into its long-running lineup of drummer Atsuo, guitarist/bassist Takeshi, and guitarist/keyboardist Wata, with all three sharing lead vocal duties. The band took its name from a song on the Melvins' album Bullhead. Their 1996 debut, Absolutego, appeared on their own label, Fangs Anal Satan.
Since then Boris have released more than twenty studio albums spanning sludge metal, drone, noise, and psychedelia, moving through labels including Southern Lord and Sargent House. Their 2005 album Pink drew major critical acclaim, landing on best-of-2006 lists from Blender, Spin, and Pitchfork, and topping Exclaim!'s metal reader's poll. The band also contributed to Jim Jarmusch's The Limits of Control soundtrack and opened for Nine Inch Nails in 2008.
WHY THEY'RE COOL
Boris built an international following not on genre purity but on omnivorous experimentation, folding sludge, drone, noise, and psychedelic minimalism into a catalog that keeps shifting shape. Their breakout, Pink, turned heads across metal and indie press alike, appearing on year-end lists from Blender, Spin, and Pitchfork, while filmmaker Jim Jarmusch singled out their live improvisation, comparing their onstage listening and reaction to jazz musicians. Decades in, the band remains defined by restless reinvention, evident in the 2020 NO/W project and continued explorations like Heavy Rocks (2022).
GEORGE'S PLAYS
First time on the station.
PLAYED ON WOKE1
