Cloaca

Formed in Ipswich, England late in 2005, Cloaca began as an ensemble of varied musicians inspired by doom metal and other ambient music. Guitarist Lewis Naylor and bassist Duncan Breeze were eventually joined by vocalist Mike Taylor, drummer Luke Jacobs and synth player Charlie Dawe in 2007. Later that year the band started performing live, delivering heavy, progressive music with an emphasis on visual presentation.

The first EP 'Ghost Town' was released in Autumn 2008 to strong reviews leading to an album recording in 2009, set for release in 2010 under the label Lone Vigil. Mike Taylor left the collective shortly after the albums completion and was replaced by Winterfylleth vocalist Chris Naughton. The band are currently promoting debut album 'Lassitude', supporting bands such as Nadja and Wolves in the Throne Room.



Blasting out of Kenosha, Wisconsin, Cloaca quickly became a part of the early-80s northwest Wisconsin heavy metal scene. Fronted by singer Frenchie Torres and keyboardist Ted Phillips, Cloaca first became notable in March of 1983 with their first single, "Epiphany of Lov," an early form of metal ballad. Backed by "Epiphany of Lov" and its follow-up, "Beer Party," Cloaca's first album, "Handsome and Singular" went on to sell 5,000 copies, at the time a record for a Wisconsin metal band.

Cloaca's early laudatory reviews were short-lived. Bassist Skeeter Phillips died of a beer overdose in 1985 and brother Ted Phillips was dismissed for erratic behavior in early 1986. Phillips would later go on to lead a solo career. Frenchie Torres gained a great deal of weight and was unable to tour or record for two years. In 1988, Torres, along with guitarist Randy Sagget, wrote and recorded the follow-up to "Handsome and Singular," Cloaca's sophomore release "Rising from Obesity." Sales figures for first single "Reincarnification" and second single, "Frenchie's in Yr Pantz" failed to live up to those set by their debut album, however, and Cloaca was dropped by their label, Katfrench Records. Saggett and Torres continue to make music today, touring the Midwestern United States as a Foghat cover band, "The Slow Ride."