Doomed Confessionary: Alex, Ben, Adam & Ian (Sonolith)
Sonolith is an instrumental stoner/doom/heavy metal band from Las Vegas, Nevada. Since 2012, they have had the privilege to share the stage with bands such as The Obsessed, Truckfighters, 1000mods, Spaceslug, Nebula, Freedom Hawk, Borracho, Mos Generator, Sasquatch, Mothership, Lord Dying, and many more.
Sonolith’s third release was envisioned and summoned into being over the course of two years, burning the candle from both ends while working day jobs, performing live shows, writing, and recording. They also became a four piece with the addition of our second guitarist, allowing for live performance of the densely layered, cinematic, and kinetic instrumental compositions that the band’s come to be known for.
The upcoming album »III« (out October 4th, 2024) tells a story in sound and symbolism of a fraught journey undertaken to escape the persecution of a psychotic tormentor, through the high peaks and low troughs, towards eventually obtaining freedom and spiritual emancipation.
Sonolith are Alex Lidey (guitars), Ben Dubler (guitars), Adam Sage (bass) and Ian Henneforth (drums).
Can you say a few words about your band?
Sonolith started back in 2012, with Alex, the founder/original member, guitarist and artists working through several line-up changes and keeping the truck on the road, so to speak. Sage came on board in 2019 as bassist, elevating the sound with his strength in writing wicked bass lines and sound engineering. Ian came into the picture in 2021, hand-picked for the job due to his constant growth as a drummer as witnessed through his band progression and social media posts, as well as his great attitude and contributions to compositions. Ben came on board just over a year ago in 2023 as the second guitarist, bringing loads of band experience, adding his personal flair to leads and harmonies, and allowing the band to bring some of the more complex aspects of the work done in the studio into the live setting. And with regards to the albums, Sonolith records, mixes and masters everything except the initial recordings of the drums at Sage’s home studio!
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Finding the right players was the first and ongoing hurdle. We all have day jobs, families and other commitments, so finding time to accomplish everything that we want is also a challenge. It becomes a work-life balance of rehearsing for and playing gigs, finding time to write and record new material, and not letting other responsibilities slide. Initially some of the promoters we have worked with seemed concerned with the band being instrumental, but that hasn’t stopped us from playing so many killer shows with excellent bands, and over time has actually come to be a bit of strength. That is not to say that we are not open to having some kind of vocals in the future…
What can you be most proud of so far?
We’ve been fortunate enough to earn good relationships with local promoters and have gotten to play with some really amazing, heavy-hitter bands. Also, we came in at 24 on Doom Charts with the release of our last album »Voidscapes« and we were really happy with that. We are very proud of the work we’ve put into the next release »III« and hope it receives a similarly good reception and to be able to share it with as many folks as possible!
What was your biggest regret?
Sonolith would like to book more festivals and out-of-state shows. We cut our teeth doing a small Pacific Northwest tour last year that culminated in playing at Rocky Mountain Riff Fest. That was most excellent and we need to make more of that a reality.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
That is a really hard question to answer. Honestly, there have been so many great concerts, opening for some world-famous and talented bands. For Sonolith, the Pacific Northwest run was amazing because we got our music in front of a new audience and got to share the stage with some great friends’ touring bands. The country is just so beautiful up there also: big change of scenery for us.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
I think we are all shocked at the diminishing demand (in the states at least) for rock music. We have a strong, supportive and dedicated heavy underground scene, but we are always super excited to see new faces. There is almost always something going on in Las Vegas, and sometimes it is a challenge to compete for attention, even for really accomplished and well-known bands.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
We all have pretty eclectic tastes, so it’s good you focused that down to heavy stuff, lol! Black Sabbath, Electric Wizard, Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats, High On Fire, The Sword, Spaceslug, Type O Negative, Lamb Of God, Leprous, Dark Tranquillity, Vexing Hex, Tribulation.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
Music is an artistic vehicle for communicating emotional content. If you are not making music that accomplishes this in some manner, be better, lol. If you love what you are doing and are emotionally invested, the audience will feel it. Any other motivations are suspect. Elevate other musicians and PLAY NICE. The rising water should lift all boats. We are family. Don’t ever give up.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Alex: Unadulterated Nerdom (Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Mythology, Cosplay, Gaming).
Adam: Mopery, lol.
Ian: Electric Light Orchestra, The Beatles and Smokey Robinson and the Miracles.
Ben: Pinch harmonics.
Can you say something more about the current music scene in Las Vegas?
Get off the computer and go out and see a show! Meet new people with similar interests. There are so many talented, interesting and fresh bands out in Las Vegas that you are unlikely to stumble upon just getting trapped in the standard streaming services loops. You could see 20 local shows for what you pay for one stadium concert for a band you’ve already seen. We all have to get out and support each other! The local heavy underground shows are so fun, inviting, and little to none of the cliquey BS.
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Our album release show will be in November, details pending… Watch the Facebook page!
What are your plans for the future as a band?
We are planning on writing & recording new material and reaching new audiences. We are actively seeking festival bookings and shows in neighboring states: Cali, Utah, Colorado, Arizona. We’ll be doing some select local shows also. AND, exciting stuff: we also are in discussions with a talented guest vocalist for a potential appearance on an upcoming release and live performances.
How can people best support your band?
Come see a live show and buy merch! If you cannot make it to a show, make a purchase on our Bandcamp! Also, please follow us on social media and streaming platforms and engage with our posts. We love talking with our people!
Do you have any message for your listeners?
We do this for the love of heavy music, and we want to share that appreciation. You, as listeners and fans, are a huge part of this whole thing, so come out to these shows, support the heavy underground, and accept your place at the table! Share cool shit with your homies and reinvigorate the latent excitement in rock music. Rock ‘n’ Roll will never die!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well