Brought up on bands like Sonic Youth, The Jesus Lizard or My Bloody Valentine, Bordeaux-based outfit MARS RED SKY had no idea that they were about to become French stoner scene cornerstones when they founded the band in 2007. Yet the heavy psychedelic trio already share many similarities and obvious connections with the “heavy and slow” community. Free from any musical genre consideration, the musicians build their very own style on the tracks of the underground pioneers. Julien Pras’ ethereal and melodic voice emerges from a thick and complex rhythm, carried by sci-fi literature’s lyricism. Almost cinematic, MARS RED SKY’s sounding has a peculiar and unique flavor, standing out within the heavy rock scene.
Hypnotic, exhilarating, heavy, their self-titled debut album conquered the very select heavy family and brought the trio to the biggest international rock and metal stages (SXSW, Hellfest, Desertfest, Roadburn). On stage, they manage to recreate their sophisticated studio atmospheres and to deliver the special sonic touch that characterises them. Their live shows absorb the listener, lose him into a visual and vibrant limbo and take him into another dimension.
A series of EP releases follow, including a split with post-metal sextet Year Of No Light in 2012. In 2014, MARS RED SKY begin a collaboration with French label Listenable Records and welcome their new drummer Matgaz to replace Benoît Busser who decides to leave the band. Together they complete the albums “Stranded In Arcadia” (2014), “Apex III (Praise For The Burning Soul)” (2016) and “The Task Eternal” (2019). Matgaz’s vision and musicianship create depth in the trio’s personality, which take a darker and more massive turn throughout these three productions.
The band’s latest EP (out April 2023 on Mrs Red Sound & Vicious Circle) features dark folk artist Queen Of The Meadow. The power of psychedelic heavy meets the depth of dark folk harmonies in a complex and exhilarating flavor. The daring combination opens up the genres to a whole new dimension.
New album ‘Dawn Of The Dusk’ was released in December 8th 2023 on both record labels Mrs Red Sound and Vicious Circle Records.
“Les Bordelais de Mars Red Sky forgent depuis cinq albums une matière sonique épaisse, pesante et hypnotique qui n’a pas d’équivalent.” – Le Monde
“Heavy-stoner magique” – Rolling Stone Magazine
“Un coup de maître” – New Noise Magazine
“Notre fleuron national dans ce style musical dont ils sont quasiment les seuls hérauts. Gloire à eux.” – Desert Rock
“Un voyage fabuleux” – MyRock Magazine
“Voraussichtliche Psychrock-Platte des Jahres” – Visions Magazin
“A realized vision of Mars Red Sky‘s fluid chemistry, dynamic, malleable approach and psychedelic vision. They are a special, singular band.” – The Obelisk
“The doomiest sounds meet some ethereal ones in a complex soundscape – such a successful work” – Doom Charts
