A time capsule from the future…
End Transmission isn't just a band; it's a testament to enduring friendship and the vibrant Chicagoland music scene. Forged from a friend circle in the late 1990s and early 2000s, this all-star lineup brings together decades of collective experience from beloved local acts like Relative Ash, Colonel Chloroform, Slow Planes, Janus, Ovef Ow, and Bind, to name a few. T
heir sound is a compelling and often paradoxical blend: imagine early 2000s nu-metal playing by '70s progressive rock rules, all anchored by shoegaze-inspired lyrics and a monumental wall of sound. What begins as Nick Barnett's tales of insanity and hope is often completely deconstructed and rebuilt by the powerhouse rhythm section. Bassist Tom Maslowski, a music instructor by trade, channels death metal ferocity mixed with beautiful Chick Corea-esque "Time Warp" basslines, while drummer Johnny Salazar, with a striking tattoo of King Crimson's Larks' Tongues in Aspic on his back, brings the Bruford beats while modernizing Y2K alt-metal grooves. Nick, an avid record collector, weaves in subtle nods from bands like Hum and Soundgarden, though the band's collective focus points to sophisticated, near-perfect albums like Cynic's Focus or Jeff Buckley's Grace. Every note was recorded by Johnny in his studio throughout 2023-2024, then sent to legendary sound wizard and friend Jordon Beal, who patiently sifted and sorted the chaos into a meticulously crafted eight-song voyage. They then worked with Chicago vinyl pressing gods Smashed Plastic to fine-tune a ridiculously bass-filled 180-gram vinyl. Best experienced on a high-fidelity system or with headphones to uncover the hidden Easter eggs, End Transmission invites listeners into a world bigger than you or I – a world of relentless dedication filled with enough imagination to build your own rocket ship. This attention to detail is precisely what makes their sound so captivating.