Artist description The Sabians are a hard rock band that have an unparalleled passion and integrity in their music, lyrics and live presentation. Their sound is a combination of punk, folk, metal and chant.

Music Style indie rock, alternative rock, hard rock, guitar rock with a stoner rock edge

Musical Influences Black Sabbath, Johnny Cash, Rush, Pink Floyd, Iron Maiden, Verdi,

Similar Artists Staind, Bush, Creed, Smashing Pumpkins, pearl jam, faith no more,

Artist History The Sabians came together in the summer of 1999 in Oakland, California, when singer-songwriter Justin Marler settled in the Bay Area after seven years of seclusion in a monastery. Desiring an outlet for musical expression, Justin reunited with drummer Chris Hakius, his former bandmate in the popular Bay Area underground band SLEEP, and the two began to create powerful, pensive sounds. In December 1999, they hooked up with Patrick Huerta, a long-standing guitarist in the East Bay who helped shape the sound by adding a dark and ambient edge to the music. After playing with several bassists, they found Rachael Fisher who added a finishing touch of heaviness to the sound. The Sabians are a powerful four piece, with influences ranging from Johnny Cash to Ozzy to Byzantine chant, creating an entirely different sound all of their own. The Sabians are named after the North African region from which one of the Three Wise Men supposedly hailed. However, Marler emphasizes that "we are not a Christian rock band. We don't push Christianity. There's nothing in our songs directly related to it. But we do have a spiritual orientation." What he's come up with is actually closer to the emo ethos than what most emo labels are proffering these days: a dynamic and unpretentious approach to contemplative rock music that's more about emotional proselytizing than speaking from any sort of pulpit. Even if he's removed now from a cloistered life, Marler is unquestionably and proudly transformed by his monastic experience. "It's a war," he says of the monk's life. "You're taking upon yourself ... a war. Which means struggle, difficulty, challenge, suffering. And a taste of reward. It was an amazing experience. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the whole world." The debut album from The Sabians, Beauty For Ashes was produced by Alex Newport (At The Drive In, Will Haven, Melvins, etc) and wil be released in May 2002 on The Music Cartel!

Albums Beauty For Ashes ©2002 The Music Cartel, Inc.

Location Oakland, California - USA

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