Biography
Unrelenting and dynamic, Australian duo Divide and Dissolve generate a torrent of sound that fuses sludge metal's creeping dread, bursts of noise, and passages of avant-classical ambience designed to build tension. Charged sociopolitical ideologies shaped their primarily instrumental approach, with the 2020 album Gas Lit confronting the dismantling of white supremacy and oppressive power dynamics, while 2023's Systemic was conceived to oppose colonialism and advance Black and Indigenous liberation.
The group comprises drummer Sylvie Nehill alongside saxophonist/guitarist Takiaya Reed, both of whom apply effects to reshape their tones during live performances. Shortly after forming, the band issued its earliest recordings independently, followed by the full-length debut Basic on DERO Arcade in March 2017. Spoken-word artist Minori Sanchiz-Fung contributed to Basic's closing track by reciting original text over the duo's caustic textures, marking the only vocal appearance on the record. Basic received the Best Heavy Album honor at the Music Victoria Awards. The second album Abomination arrived in 2018, and the two-song 7" TFW came out via Saddle Creek in 2020.
Invada Records released the band's third full-length Gas Lit in January 2021, with Unknown Mortal Orchestra's Ruban Nielson providing production. Chelsea Wolfe and Moor Mother later created remixes of tracks from the album, issued both on an EP and within a deluxe edition. Throughout 2022, Divide and Dissolve toured Europe and North America, supporting Low as well as headlining their own dates and appearing at festivals. Nielson again produced Systemic, released in 2023, which featured Sanchiz-Fung's return on the track "Kingdom of Fear." Nehill subsequently stepped away from live performances for personal reasons.
The group comprises drummer Sylvie Nehill alongside saxophonist/guitarist Takiaya Reed, both of whom apply effects to reshape their tones during live performances. Shortly after forming, the band issued its earliest recordings independently, followed by the full-length debut Basic on DERO Arcade in March 2017. Spoken-word artist Minori Sanchiz-Fung contributed to Basic's closing track by reciting original text over the duo's caustic textures, marking the only vocal appearance on the record. Basic received the Best Heavy Album honor at the Music Victoria Awards. The second album Abomination arrived in 2018, and the two-song 7" TFW came out via Saddle Creek in 2020.
Invada Records released the band's third full-length Gas Lit in January 2021, with Unknown Mortal Orchestra's Ruban Nielson providing production. Chelsea Wolfe and Moor Mother later created remixes of tracks from the album, issued both on an EP and within a deluxe edition. Throughout 2022, Divide and Dissolve toured Europe and North America, supporting Low as well as headlining their own dates and appearing at festivals. Nielson again produced Systemic, released in 2023, which featured Sanchiz-Fung's return on the track "Kingdom of Fear." Nehill subsequently stepped away from live performances for personal reasons.
Albums
Singles
