Greatness!! The one word which comes to mind when I listen to the San Antonio, Texas based math-rock band, SLOTH. Composed of four members, Axel Ruiz (Guitar and vocals), Timothy Cruz (Bass), Guylum Alfaro (Guitar and Vocals), and Jaiden Posada (Drums and vocals), SLOTH is what we would call in the industry as naturally gifted. The unique blend of metal, emo, and jazz makes for a progressive math-rock sound that can only be described as “Sloth”.
What began in 2020, has turned four friends into one unbelievable band. As high school students, Jaiden, Axel, and Guylum were playing covers as a part of other groups; however, they knew their vision was to find and create a band with standards. They later teamed up with Tim, which led to a friendship that further solidified this up and coming 4-piece. Finally, the perfect blend of musicians were assembled, to what is known as “Sloth”. Sloth was officially established and ready to take over.
Sloth is an amalgamation of progressive rock, emo, jazz, and metal all blended to come up with a sound that is signature. Sloth has gained international attention, and well deserved. The band draws inspiration from bands like, “Delta Sleep”, “CHON”, “Dance Gavin Dance”, and, “The Fall Of Troy”...The objective is to reach the masses with their music. As college students, the band finds a way to stay balanced while performing shows, benefits, and jamm’n out! Speaking of Jam’n, the group has found the recipe to great song writing in the form of “Jam Sessions”. The Sloth Band uses the impromptu sessions that at times come up out of nowhere, to create music that is organic. The jam sessions, often in Guylum’s garage, has become the groups bread and butter in which the group explained, spurned the hit “Riff Salad”. Guylum went on to explain, “the key to our success is putting aside creative differences and honing in on what the song is really calling for”. The organic magic of the jam sessions is where opportunity, talent, and emotions collide to create masterpieces.
As I sat across from “Sloth”, the one thing I noticed was the camaraderie and brotherhood of the band. Each of the four young people have a genuine amount of respect for the other’s craft and contribution to the band. I would ask random guided questions, and they had no problem deferring to the band member who was responsible, or had the most knowledge. As with most young bands, Sloth is on the journey of playing as many gigs as possible, while cementing their brand of music in hopes of becoming a household name. With that being stated, Sloth is in the perfect place, at the right time.
The rock scene in San Antonio has exploded in recent years. The band hopes to become a permanent staple in not only S.A., but anywhere a scene for new rock music thrives.
Released in September of 2022, the band’s self-released EP, “See You Later”, is still the toast of the town. With four classic progressive rock tracks, See You Later symbolizes the end of the old, and the ushering of a new. The EP’s tracklist includes fan favorite “Riff Salad”, “Smokescreen”, “Strawberry”, and the band’s first ever written track, “Asteroid Blues”. Even at the beginning, sloth has always maintained an unusual method to making their music. The track “Asteroid Blues” came to life as Jaiden Posada created a riff in which Axel and Guylum continued to build off of. At the jam sessions as a final piece, Timothy would come through to perfect it with the additions of his bass.
As a bassist, Timothy cruz’s approach is quite unorthodox in that he actually transitioned from guitar. With the perspective of a guitarist , it has afforded Timothy the ability to create different sounds and melodies when writing. Jaiden Posada penned Sloth’s “Riff Salad”, which has become one the bands favorite at live gigs. Jaiden explained the recording of the record, “I instantly knew that the lyrics had to match the energy of the record”. The outcome of the groups combined energy produced a smash record. “Riff Salad”, is one of those songs that draws listeners in by tapping into their emotions with heart wrenching lyrics.
See You Later – an EP which was intended to include six-tracks was cut short due to technical issues with the producer of the project and the financial burden of such a project; however, all things worked out for the better. Through the process, Sloth has learned a lot about the business and themselves as they have grown tremendously since the release of See You Later. The Sloth Band plans on finishing the year out playing shows, writing, and recording at least six tracks which will be added to the four from See You Later and released as their studio debut album early next year. Don’t worry, PMB will have the exclusive, and we promise to share the journey in the meantime.
Sloth Band usher in a New Era –
The post renaissance of progressive rock has settled upon us. From San Antonio, Texas to other burroughs of the United States, an emergence of sound is changing the narrative. The Sloth Band recognize the growth of the movement, and consider themselves as one of the catalysts of the progression. While making a name in San Antonio’s alternative, emo, rock scene has been an objective, Sloth Band reminds us that the goal is a nationwide tour. From performing at San Antonio’s Paper Tiger, Vibes Event Center, Backyard House Shows, and UTSA’ artist showcase, it’s just a matter of time before Sloth is headlining a major tour. The Sloth band; Guylum Alfaro, Axel Ruiz, Timothy Cruz, and Jaiden Posada are poised to make some major noise in the Progressive Rock Scene.
Steam See You Later…….. (Below)
