Baroness (band)

Baroness is a heavy metal band from Savannah, Georgia, that has been around since 2003. While the group has seen many members come and go, vocalist and guitarist John Baizley has been the only permanent fixture. In addition to his musical role, Baizley designs the cover art for every Baroness album and has created artwork for other musical acts as well.

The band got its start in the summer of 2003 in Savannah. Its first members were John Baizley, guitarist Tim Loose, bassist Summer Welch, and drummer Allen Blickle. Before Baroness, Baizley, Welch, Blickle, and future member Pete Adams had played together in a punk band called Johnny Welfare and the Paychecks. Much of the early Baroness material was written by Baizley and Adams at a music store and later in a small Savannah apartment. The first song the band wrote was "Tower Falls." A demo was recorded in September 2003 by Steve West of Marble Valley and self-released that same year. Touring began in the fall, and the independent label Hyperrealist Records took notice.

The debut EP, *First*, was recorded in November 2003 at The Jam Room Studio in Columbia, South Carolina, with producer Phillip Cope of Kylesa. Hyperrealist released it on August 3, 2004. A follow-up EP, *Second*, came out on September 5, 2005. That same year, Tim Loose left the band and was replaced by Brian Blickle, Allen’s brother. After a European tour with the new lineup, the band reunited with Tim Loose in the studio to record two final songs for a split album with fellow Savannah band Unpersons. That record, *A Grey Sigh in a Flower Husk*, was released by At a Loss Recordings on June 26, 2007.

In March 2007, Baroness began recording their first full-length album at The Jam Room with Phillip Cope. Soon after, they signed with Relapse Records. Their first release on the label was a split 7-inch with High on Fire and Coliseum, featuring the song "O'Appalachia" from their upcoming album. The debut LP, *Red Album*, came out on September 4, 2007. Hyperrealist also put out a limited pressing of 1,000 copies on dark red vinyl with etched borders. The album was well received, with *Revolver* magazine naming it the top album of the year. On December 1, 2007, the band played at New York City’s Bowery Ballroom, and their first music video, for "Wanderlust," debuted on *Headbangers Ball* on December 8.