Some bummer news out of Michigan imprint Saw Her Ghost Records, the longtime imprint of crushing instrumental duo Beast in the Field (among others), which has announced that the band has decided to break-up. Based in Midland, MI, and comprised of drummer Jamie Jahr and guitarist Jordan Pries, Beast in the Field will play what will reportedly be their final Detroit show on April 30 at Small’s with Nuke and Bison Machine. There may be more dates after that, as the band says in the works, but it would seem like pending that, they’re done.

Beast in the Field issued five full-lengths together on Saw Her Ghost between 2007 and 2013, the last of which, The Sacred Above, The Sacred Below (review here, streamed here), offered a consuming 71 minutes of thick-toned, hard-hit obliteration. Deeply atmospheric in spite of being so outwardly heavy, it pushed the band’s Satanic themes on 2011’s Lucifer, Bearer of Light to the side in favor of statements more grounded in social issues of environment and the atrocities committed against Native Americans. That they managed to make such a statement, and make it so loudly, without the use of lyrics, only seemed to make the album’s artwork more evocative.

Their final release was the comic book (also wordless) and live album combo The Astral Path to Satan’s Throne (review here), which reaffirmed the impact of their onstage assault that I was fortunate enough to also see in 2014. To my knowledge, they never toured widely outside of the Midwest, and it looks like they never will, but Beast in the Field crafted a reputation for devastating heft delivered through a mountain of amplifiers, and cut their progression short at a moment when it seemed like they were just beginning to branch out in new and exciting ways. I was looking forward to their next album. They’ll be missed.

Here’s word from the label and a few brief notes from the band:

It’s been hard to keep this to myself, but April 30 at Small’s will be Beast In The Field’s last Detroit show. Jamie and Jordan are calling it quits. They’re two of my best friends. Anyone who really knows us knows how close we are and how intertwined our musical lives have been for the near decade long span of Beast. I’ve seen most of this country with them and lived some of the best experiences a guy could ever wish for, not to mention having the honor and thrill of releasing all of their music.

We always had the most fun.

Whether you’ve seen them a hundred times or never, I encourage everyone to come out and be a part of this show. It’s always an experience.

Thanks friends.

Said Beast in the Field:

LAST DETROIT SHOW FOR BEAST IN THE FIELD. YEP, WE ARE ALL DONE SOON. TRYING TO SET UP A SMALL RUN FOR THE CITIES THAT REALLY ENJOYED US AND WE ENJOYED. THE END.

https://www.facebook.com/beastinthefield/

https://www.facebook.com/Saw-Her-Ghost-Records-54739172715/

http://sawherghost.net/

Beast in the Field, “Wakan Tanka” official video