On October 10, Texas-based shoegaze outfit trauma ray released their latest single, “Bardo.” This is the third single to come ahead of the group’s upcoming debut album Chameleon, set to be released on October 25 via Dais Records. Combining the haunting musicality with the upbeat intensity of ’90s nu-metal, trauma ray deliver a sound that is as inviting as it is unique.
Bringing together eerie shoegaze melodies with heavy alternative compositions, “Bardo” opens with a guttural bass riff and is soon followed by hard-hitting guitars and drums. The heaviness of the track is balanced by the melancholy echo of vocalist Uriel Avila. The band’s lyricism is prominently inspired by Avila’s religious upbringing. In the work of trauma ray, songs about guilt and self-reflection may be found.
“Bardo,” a track inspired by the idea of purgatory and passing from one life to another, is similar to its two preceding singles, “Bishop” and “Spectre,” in that it conveys themes of oppression and religion.
Trauma ray are composed of the band’s primary songwriters Avila (vocals, guitars) and Jonathan Perez (guitars), as well as Coleman Pruitt (guitars), Darren Baun (bass), and Nicholas Bobotas (drums). Their upcoming debut album is a dark, beautiful, and highly-anticipated body of work.
The band will play three shows in the U.K. later this month before coming back to the states. trauma ray will tour alongside Levitation, Citizen, Panchiko, and others, playing a number of exciting shows including multiple in their home state of Texas and two release shows: one headlining The Roxy and one at Voodoo Room in San Diego.
Trauma Ray Live Dates:
Oct 26 – Birmingham, UK – XOYO *
Oct 27 – Manchester, UK – B.E.C. Arena (Outbreak Autumn)
Oct 28 – London, UK – New Cross
Oct 31 – Rubber Gloves – Denton, TX
Nov 01 – Levitation – Austin, TX
Nov 03 – Oklahoma City, OK – Tower Theatre ~
Nov 04 – Little Rock, AR – EJ’s
Nov 06 – Kansas City, MO – The Truman ~
Nov 07 – Chicago, IL – Sleeping Village #
Nov 08 – Indianapolis, IN – Deluxe ~
Nov 09 – Grand Rapids, MI – Elevation ~
Nov 10 – Pittsburgh, PA – Roxian Theatre ~
Nov 12 – Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer ~
Nov 13 – Boston, MA – 4th Wall
Nov 14 – New Haven, CT – Toad’s Place
Nov 15 – New York, NY – TV Eye #
Nov 16 – Washington, D.C. -Comet Ping Pong !
Nov 17 – Richmond, VA – Cobra Cabana !
Nov 18 – Raleigh, NC – Kings !
Nov 19 – Atlanta, GA – Altar #
Nov 20 – Birmingham, AL – Saturn #
Nov 21 – New Orleans, LA – Siberia #
Nov 22 – Houston, TX – TBD #
Nov 23 – San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger #
Nov 29 – Los Angeles – The Roxy (Record Release) ^
Nov 30 – San Diego – Voodoo Room (Record Release) $
* w/ Citizen
~ w/ Panchiko
# w/ Leaving Time
! w/ Leaving Time and Full Body
^ w/ Toner, Lvster, Slumped
$ w/ Toner, Slumped, Sparkler
Photo courtesy of Will McCarthy
Preorder or pre-save Chameleon here.
Buy tickets to see trauma ray on tour here.
Stream “Bardo” here.
Follow trauma ray on Instagram, X, Twitch, Bandcamp, and Spotify.
