Once upon a time, there was the blues. An art form that simultaneously immersed the listener in pain and sadness and offered them a leg up out of that muck. That was then. For this millennium, we have something different.
Enter the music of Portland, Oregon's Aaron D.C. Edge.
In today's world of heavy music, art borne of trauma is bread and butter. But so rarely is that trauma literally a matter of life and death. So when the art is a reflection of the most truly dire of circumstances life can throw at a human being, it’d better be legit. In the case of The Lumbar Endeavor’s new spate of releases, it so fucking is.
We can’t really talk about Edge’s music without addressing his medical situation. Over a decade ago, he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Learn about the his early diagnosis and the early days of Lumbar
HERE as well as
HERE. The disease has shredded the linings of some of his nerves—almost exclusively in his hands and feet—causing not just a level of physical pain that’s difficult to imagine, but emotional anguish for him and his loved ones that couldn’t go unacknowledged.
This music is pain music. Plain and simple. Trust me, you’ll hear it.
When a track introduces itself with a nauseous scream, one has only a split second to steal one’s ears in ready for the heaviest chord. A swaying dirge like the tossings of a moored ship burning in the moonlight down to the bottom of the harbor. Singing guitars that soar above your head like vultures just as their bigger brothers dig your grave. “It’s a glimpse into my life." Aaron tells me, “Though, health-wise, I am better off than many with this disease, it is a heavy weight, a burden. This is part of my DNA, and, now my shared story.”
Fans of Aaron’s back catalog will no doubt be familiar with his projects Hellvetika, Genuine, and Izaguf; with collections of covers of songs by bands in such far-flung genres as alternative, new wave, pop, etc. They’ll be delighted but not surprised to hear a breadth of influences showing forth in TLE’s latest. Since the mid-80s, he has written music/lyrics for and performed on stages across the states with (most-notably) Himsa, Process Black, Brothers of the Sonic Cloth, Bible Black Tyrant, Ramprasad, Eshas, Grip, Hauler, Iamthethorn, Minor Fret, The Horde, spanning years of heavy material and lyrical content. “At the risk of suffocating listeners with even more output from my vault of material,” Aaron adds, “I do feel that this body of new work is relevant and worth immersing folks into. I suppose I could be creative only for a release, only for myself, but a few handfuls of folks seem to take interest, so I’ll share my craft."
With 2022’s The Lumbar Endeavor, one track might deliver near-symphonic overdubbed guitar octaves in counterpoint, another dirge will slowly and simply grind away. One is as likely to hear a mechanically pounding homage to work by Godflesh as a tune harkening back to the golden age of TNWOBHM. And, there’s plenty of versatile hours to dig into, including 37 tracks encapsulated over five separate releases—the first being "Revisiting the Darkest of Days”, out this August 31st—all completely created, performed, and recorded by Edge himself.
Only the first release is related to the 2013 "Lumbar” material, as Aaron covers his own seven tracks, now slower, darker, and made richer with texture, and layers. Drums are much more dynamic and varied than the originals. The song, "Day 3", now has music (no longer just a feedback soundscape). Guitars help to create harmonies throughout the release, previously done with Mike and Tad’s singing. These songs are deeper versions of the 2013 Southern Lord record, updated and with new enthusiasm. “I was in so much pain when first diagnosed with MS back in 2013,” he recalls, “the music was much simpler then… I wasn’t able to play well in my condition or add multiple tracks, color, and dimension. The record was raw and strong, but my delivery lacked depth.“ He goes on to say, “In my opinion, Mike’s singing on most of the tracks, and Tad’s on a single strong song, were more interesting than my music at that time. I am blessed that those two friends contributed, but they shined over my simple, pained strumming. I’m revisiting these tracks to have a better grip on them, with a new spin, as well as many newer, original, heavy tracks to be released in 2022. And, this first recording of The Lumbar Endeavor's 'Sonic Offerings' for the year is a donation-based release... pay what you want/can.”
>> "Revisiting the Darkest of Days” cover by CVSPE"I’m a very small fish in a huge pond,” Aaron says, “which is why 2022’s 37 tracks of The Lumbar Endeavor’s ’Sonic Offerings’ is without a record label. I’m handling the digital distribution myself, all part of being a solo musician who’s not touring, and without any merch.”
When asked why Mike Scheidt and Thomas Andrew Doyle aren’t involved in Aaron’s 2022 “Sonic Offerings" this year, he replies, “Those brothers were so very kind to lend their talents in the studio back in 2013. Though I had written all the music and lyrics, the delivery of their collective talent was the catalyst in which my early years with Multiple Sclerosis became known. I feel that my struggle and story would have been lost in AM static had they not been so generous with their love, support, and talent. The new material is a completely solo project for me, as both Mike and Tad are very busy with their own music and lives. Because I have become very comfortable recording on my own, and with a better understanding of my MS-induced limitations, I’ve updated the project’s name to 'The Lumbar Endeavor’. It’s new, heavy, and has many volumes, not just one chapter. It's years, not just seven days."
To say that Aaron is prolific is the understatement of the year. He’s never been one to shy away from speaking publicly about his health, nor the fact that his seemingly sleepless drive to churn out music is his coping mechanism. And, there's more coming down the pipeline from Mr. Edge's Lumbar Endeavor for 2023... two additional recordings under his "Sonic Offerings" umbrella will also be released in 2013.
"I've pieced together a very simple but effective portable recording studio that allows me to document all of The Lumbar Endeavor material (as well as Hellvetika, Genuine, and Bible Black Tyrant) from my Portland, Oregon apartment as well as my fiancée's London Flat," Aaron adds, "...not every musician or engineer has that luxury."
When asked about the cover designs for The Lumbar Endeavor releases, Aaron had this to say, "I'm truly blessed that my relationship with CVSPE has blossomed into such a wondrously efficient, creative connection. The artist has granted me access to original, stunning illustrations for each and every release, strong and bold on their own, and particularly so as a collection."
Because Aaron has art directed for bands, labels, and magazines over the years—one example, as Southern Lord's art director while he lived in Los Angelos—he often guides illustrators, painters, and photographers that he collaborates with. But, even with this particular huge volume of work, Aaron only gave CVSPE the titles for each release, with full creative license given to the illustrator on their take/representation on/of the titles. The only instruction given was that only three colors be used: black, white, and orange. The Multiple Sclerosis Society's color is Pantone 158/orange, and since Aaron has MS, it has been a powerful theme over the years.
>> Above photo by Joe KennedyHe continues, "I've been lucky to work with fantastic artists over the years, but the bridge and trust built for all these recordings with CVSPE is untouchable. The complete body of visual work is so powerful that I decided to not add any text, titles or project name to any of it. I am honored and incredibly grateful."
To wrap this up, the music of The Lumbar Endeavor is uniquely balanced between two poles: abjectly punishing and infectiously listenable. Whether we owe it to his decades of honing of his craft or the fact that the art is a genuine, naked expression of human experience, Aaron's effect is undeniable. This body of work is one that will touch you, perhaps awaken you to confront your own pain. Devastate you with its heaviness. And then, perhaps, just as it has done for its creator, help to lift you out of the misery it celebrates, clearing the way forward.
That's exactly why this collection of releases will live with me for a good long while.
—
Aaron Walters, July 2022
>> Aaron Walters is a multi-instrumentalist and music instructor from Seattle, Washington who has performed all over the U.S., Canada, Europe and Japan as a member of Akimbo.
