What’s funny about Vegas’ local music scene is its resemblance to sports leagues, where its top players trade like playing cards, constantly hopping onto new projects with each other. Local hardcore band Khasm came to fruition through these means in 2021, when guitarist and vocalist Jett Stotts envisioned forming a band with a heavy sound that embraced a diversity of genres.
Leveraging his years of involvement and experience in music, Stotts tapped a few long-time friends, one who played alongside him in World Tension, while the others hailed from adjacent musical realms. Since then, Khasm—consisting of Stotts, Gabriel Brownotter on bass and vocals, drummer Jack Phelan, and guitarist Erik Kline—has experienced a surge of success, not just locally, but on a global scale.
“We’ve been involved in the local hardcore and metal scene for so long individually, and the amount of support Khasm has gotten is kind of crazy,” says Stotts. “Traditionally, it’s tougher to get out of Vegas [as a band] but to see the love we’ve gotten from the East and West Coast and the touring opportunities is cool—we actually went to Mexico earlier this year and we’re going to Canada next month.”
Khasm released a demo in 2022 via Outlook Fanzine, a self-titled EP in 2023 and just last Thursday released their much-anticipated sophomore EP, Theater of War. Rooted in hardcore, Khasm’s sound delves deeper into the influences of New Orleans sludge bands like Eyehategod, Acid Bath and Crowbar, while also paying homage to the raw energy of ‘90s Northeast hardcore.
Their creative process reached new heights when they recorded the new EP with Ryan Bram at Tucson, Arizona’s Homewrecker Studios. Homewrecker provided the exact equipment Khasm needed to achieve their specifically desired sound. Remarkably, they utilized just one amp—an obscure ‘80s Randall RG100, favored by the bands that inspired them. With that unique studio setup, the EP resonates with a monumental presence. Or, as Stotts puts it: “It sounds huge.”
Khasm musically snarls at its listeners in the best way, the intense fusion of brooding sludge riffs and melodic upticks breeding a unique balance of sound that fills a void we didn’t know we had. Vocally, Brownotter and Stotts serve up low pitched lyrical screaming that gives off a spiteful spirit that you can’t help but shout back to, once you’ve learned the words.
Theater of War is not only a culmination of Khasm’s career to this point, but also a representation of Vegas. The brutal opening track “Galvanized” features members of local band Thousand Wayz 2 Die on vocals, and Dustin Shaw, founder of Blackpath Booking, sings a part on “Contra.” Stotts says, “There’s a lot of Vegas love on the record because we always have to represent—especially since we travel more, we make sure to put on for Vegas wherever we are.”
Khasm is scheduled to take the new bangers on the road this summer, and to kick off the run, they band is giving local fans the first taste at Eagle Aerie Hall on June 19, alongside LA’s Pull Your Card, Thousand Wayz 2 Die, Scrutiny and Blush Hour. This gig is not only guaranteed to rouse the moshers but will also be marking a new chapter for Khasm’s growing presence in hardcore.
KHASM RECORD RELEASE SHOW With Pull Your Card, more, June 19, 6 p.m., Eagle Aerie Hall, seetickets.us., khasmlv.bandcamp.com.
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