Comprised of Oliver Ackermann (guitars and vocals), Dion Lunadon (bass) and Robi Gonzalez), the New York-based trio of A Place to Bury Strangers have developed a reputation for a moody, atmospheric wall of sound-influenced sound that possesses elements of psych rock, shoegaze and space rock and for arguably one of the most punishingly loud and chaotic  live shows in contemporary music. Years ago, I saw the trio play a New Year’s Eve set at Mercury Lounge with an ex-girlfriend, and we both (unwisely) didn’t wear earplugs. After their set ended, we walked out of the Mercury Lounge with our ears ringing painfully for the better part of an hour. A few years later, I saw them open the Northside Festival with an absolutely bonkers live set that included Lunadon smashing a Fender bass amp with strobe lights flashing everywhere – the amp made this insane, slow-motion arc as he tossed it to the ground. By the end of the set, the amp was disemboweled and in 5 different pieces. The New York-based trio have teamed up with The Telescopes, a legendary British noise/space rock/dream pop/psych rock band influenced by Suicide, The Velvet Underground and 13th Floor Elevators, formed by Stephen Lawrie back in 1987 for one of the most intense, loudest split 7 inches I’ve heard in some time, and it sees its official release through Cabin Fever Collective/Fuzz Club Records tomorrow.

APTBS begins the split 7 inch with a new single “Down the Stairs” which features the band’s signature dense wall of sound-influenced sound, comprised of explosive drumming, throbbing bass, layers upon layers of swirling feedback and lyrics that convey uncertainty and menace simultaneously. The Telescopes contribute an incredible, acid burned cover of The Stooges “I Wanna Be Your Dog” full of menace, bile and vitriol. With both songs the vocals seem as though they’re sinking into a murky swamp. And although deeply psychedelic both songs seem to capture and evoke the dark and murderous recesses of the human soul. Play loudly and repeat.