Doomed Confessionary: Alaysa (Nine Layers Deep)
Nine Layers Deep is a stoner/doom/sludge trio from Buffalo, New York.
Firmly rooted in underground filth and with weighty ambitions to match their filthy tones, Nine Layers Deep are looking to take on the world. Powerful, heavy and undeniably potent Nine Layers Deep are bringing thoughtful and simply crushing doom metal to the masses and forcing you to choke on their wonderfully bitter sonic pill.
The band’s debut album »Sludge Life: I« was released on April 20th, 2019 via Helmet Lady Records, followed by second full-length »Impermanence« on February 23rd, 2024.
Nine Layers Deep are Alaysa (vox/baritone guitar), Jim (lead guitar) and Dan (drums).
Can you say a few words about your band?
Nine Layers Deep as a sound is ever evolving. It’s like this sonic force of raw power and passion. We don’t really like trying to confine our creativity to any one style or genre, we just kinda let the music go where it wants to take us. Within our sound exists heavy, hypnotic stoner doom vibes, gritty edginess of sludge, and the raw emotion of grunge all fueled by our quest for musical transcendence.
What was the biggest challenge for the band last year?
In the past year we looked for a new label to release our album. Had a few bites here and there but nobody picked it up. We ultimately decided to release it on our own and look for a label after the fact just so we could have music out there for people to listen to.
What can you be most proud of so far?
We’re extremely proud of our new album »Impermanence«. It was a long creative process but we kept pushing forward until we had something that we were proud of. When I listened to the whole thing with headphones on for the first time, it kinda felt like the first listens of all of my favorite albums growing up. I’m really grateful for all the time and energy spent with Doug White of Watchmen Studios that went into this record, it was definitely worth it.
What was your biggest regret?
No regrets, only lessons. Biggest lesson is that if it’s your dream and you want it you gotta go for it while you can because you could wake up tomorrow and all the stages you wanna play and bands you wanna see could be gone.
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
We played a lot of great shows but I would say that in the history of the band the best show was opening for Clutch and Big Business a few years back. Getting to play with bands like Crowbar, Firebreather and Bongzilla were all close seconds though, it’s really hard to choose.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
M’dood, I have seen a lot of bonkers shit out there but almost none of it has been surprising.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Dan has been listening to a lot of older Meshuggah and is a big fan of Devin Townsend.
Jim loves Godflesh, Cathedral and The Damned.
I’m really into Amenra, early Soundgarden and Acid Bath.
Can you say something more about the music scene in Buffalo, New York?
Buffalo has a small but strong community of bands and artists that put their all into their work, it’s nice having talented friends.
Photo by Barrett Lloyd
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
We’re planning to tour this year and get out to as many cities in the US as possible.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
For right now, we’re writing and recording new music for future EPs, make some music videos and get out on the road often as possible. Down the road we’re hoping for a bigger tour or hook up with some cool bands to go out on the road with, hopefully jump on some sweet, heavy festivals and eventually get picked up by a label.
How can people best support your band?
Listen to us on Spotify, Bandcamp and other streaming services. We just want people to listen to the music and share it around with their friends.
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Thanks for listening. It means so much to the band that anyone outside of the three of us would want to hear what we have to say with our music. There’s a lot of fucked up shit out in the world these days and you can either perpetuate that destructive energy or redirect it into something creative and honest.
We’re living and dying as one simultaneously, so get out and make the best of our last days. Start a band, paint a mural, take up photography, write poetry, cook a new recipe, do standup – get out there and express yourself while you can for no other reason than you can.
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well