Aaron Turner

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American musician (born 1977)

title: "Aaron Turner" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["1977-births", "living-people", "isis-(band)-members", "american-graphic-designers", "american-heavy-metal-guitarists", "american-heavy-metal-singers", "american-experimental-musicians", "american-shoegaze-musicians", "guitarists-from-new-mexico", "musicians-from-santa-fe,-new-mexico", "american-male-guitarists", "21st-century-american-singers", "old-man-gloom-members", "twilight-(band)-members", "musicians-from-springfield,-massachusetts"] description: "American musician (born 1977)" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_Turner" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary American musician (born 1977) ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox musical artist"]

FieldValue
nameAaron Turner
imageAaron Turner, B&W, Guitar — Isis @ Wagenhallen, Stuttgart, 2009-07-09.jpg
captionTurner performing live with Isis in Stuttgart, in 2009
birth_nameAaron Bradford Turner
birth_date
birth_placeSpringfield, Massachusetts, United States
originBoston, Massachusetts, United States
instrumentVocals, guitar
genreExtreme metal, experimental, avant-garde metal, ambient
years_active1995–present
labelHydra Head, Ipecac, Neurot, SIGE
current_member_ofSumac, Old Man Gloom, Mamiffer, Split Cranium, Greymachine, Jodis, House of Low Culture, Lotus Eaters
past_member_ofIsis, Twilight, Unionsuit
websiteAaronBTurner.blogspot.com
::

| name = Aaron Turner | image = Aaron Turner, B&W, Guitar — Isis @ Wagenhallen, Stuttgart, 2009-07-09.jpg | caption = Turner performing live with Isis in Stuttgart, in 2009 | birth_name = Aaron Bradford Turner | birth_date = | birth_place = Springfield, Massachusetts, United States | origin = Boston, Massachusetts, United States | instrument = Vocals, guitar | genre = Extreme metal, experimental, avant-garde metal, ambient | years_active = 1995–present | label = Hydra Head, Ipecac, Neurot, SIGE | current_member_of = Sumac, Old Man Gloom, Mamiffer, Split Cranium, Greymachine, Jodis, House of Low Culture, Lotus Eaters | past_member_of = Isis, Twilight, Unionsuit | website = AaronBTurner.blogspot.com

Aaron Turner (born November 5, 1977) is an American musician, singer, graphic artist, and founder of label Hydra Head Records. He is most widely known for his role as guitarist and vocalist for the post-metal bands SUMAC and Isis, while also participating in several other bands and projects such as Old Man Gloom, Lotus Eaters, Greymachine and Split Cranium, a collaboration with Jussi Lehtisalo of Finnish band Circle who toured with Isis in 2009.

Raised in New Mexico, Turner moved to the Boston area, where he attended art school and formed Isis and Hydra Head. In June 2003, Turner moved operations of both the band and label to Los Angeles, California. Turner now resides in Vashon, WA which is also the base of operations for Hydra Head and his various other activities.

In partnership with his wife Faith Coloccia, Turner founded another record label, SIGE, in March 2011. It has gone on to release material from his musical collaboration with Coloccia, Mamiffer. SIGE is distributed by The Business.

Personal life

Turner was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on November 5, 1977. At an early age, his family moved to New Mexico, where he was raised. His mother was a teacher "who taught a progressive curriculum" and his father an author, "mainly [of] non-fiction". Turner describes his upbringing, surrounded by his parents' writer, artist and photographer friends, as "creatively nurturing". At age 17, he started a company that sold rare punk rock records via mail-order. He later moved to Boston to attend art school at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, and in 1995 began releasing music. By 1997, the Hydra Head label was becoming a respectable small record label. Turner describes his early industriousness as being motivated in part by boredom:

::quote I grew up in New Mexico, and there wasn't a whole lot as far as youth culture is concerned. Especially when I started to get interested in straight edge and wasn't doing drugs anymore, there was really nothing for me to do. So that was like a big reason for me, I suppose, to become really productive. Also, I've never been a really social person. So there's not a lot of time taken up by my social life. And music has always been a very very big part of my life. I guess just a combination of those factors is why everything got started so early. ::

Around 1997–99, Turner was living with future Isis bassist and co-founder Jeff Caxide; until this point, he had been a member of the bands Union Suit and Hollomen. Isis was formed in 1997 out of a dissatisfaction with said bands' musical direction and Turner and Caxide's respective degrees of creative control.

In mid-2009, Turner moved from Los Angeles, where both Isis and Hydra Head Records were based at the time, to Seattle with his then-girlfriend, Faith Coloccia; they went on to wed in September of the same year.

Equipment

Touring with Isis in 2007, Turner used two different guitars: a 1976 Fender Telecaster Custom (black), and a 1975 Fender Telecaster Deluxe (brown), played through various effects (his pedalboard layout changed every gig depending on what songs the band decided to play that night), a VHT/Fryette Pitbull Ultra Lead, and two 4x12 Sunn cabinets. He has also acquired a custom guitar from the Electrical Guitar Company (as did fellow Isis guitarist Michael Gallagher).

In the past, Turner has also used a Gibson Les Paul Standard, PRS CE24, and has played through Sunn, Mesa Boogie, and Mackie amplifiers.

When playing with Isis, Turner and his fellow guitarists usually tuned their instruments (low to high) B-F#-B-E-G#-B, to achieve a heavier sound. They also used other tunings, though less frequently, such as F# (octave below)-F#-B-E-G#-B.

In 2016, Turner described the live rig he used with SUMAC as consisting of two custom-built guitars from the Electrical Guitar Company. Both have lucite bodies and aluminum necks, and custom-wound wide frequency range pickups. The newer of the two—a prototype for a signature model—has a slightly flatter fingerboard radius than the older instrument. On a tour of the Eastern US, Turner was using an Orange Dual Dark 100 amplifier head with a slaved Fryette Two/Ninety/Two power amp. Both heads drove Orange and Marshall cabinets, though Turner claimed to have no strong preferences for particular speaker cabinets. While recording, Turner prefers to use a Fryette Pitbull Ultra Lead, an amp model he's used consistently since his work in Isis. Turner described using a variety of effects pedals in his live rig. Specifically, he runs a BOSS TU-3 Chromatic Tuner, a Death By Audio Apocalypse fuzz, a MASF fuzz, a Strymon BlueSky reverb (which he described as the one essential pedal in his rig), a TC Electronics Ditto Looper X2, and an EHX Forty-Five Thousand sampler (used to trigger preset samples during performance). Turner prefers a Heil PR20 vocal microphone. When playing with Sumac he uses two distinct tunings being A-F#-B-D-F#-B and A#-F-A#-D-F#-A#.

Musical influences

Turner cites Pink Floyd, King Crimson, Godflesh, Neurosis, and Led Zeppelin as influences on Isis' sound. However, he points to the electronica, krautrock and hip hop genres as shaping the group's rhythmic focus and use of sampling, as well as their occasional digressions into ambient passages. He has also listed Melvins, Jimi Hendrix, Swans, Keiji Haino, Oxbow, Earth, and Coil as among his favorite artists, and has noted that Megadeth, Metallica, and Slayer were important to his early interests in the guitar. In addition, he has noted Black Sabbath as an influence during his formative years.

Discography

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/02/Aaron_Turner_2.jpg" caption="Performing live in Colchester, UK, in 2004."] ::

Solo

  • Interminable Conniption (2019), The Tapeworm / Sige
  • Repression's Blossom (2019), Sige
  • The Occupation of Selfishness (Single) (2021)
  • To Speak (2022), Trost

With Daniel Menche

  • NOX (2017), Sige

With Doolhof

  • Doolhof (2020), Sige

With Drawing Voices

  • Drawing Voices (2007), Hydra Head Records

With Greymachine

With Hollomen

  • "Brand New Genius" [single] (1997), Hydra Head Records

With House of Low Culture

With [[Isis (band)|Isis]]

Main article: Isis discography

With Jodis

With Jon Mueller

  • In the Falls (2021), Sige
  • Now That You've Found It (2022), American Dreams Records

With Lotus Eaters

With Mamiffer

  • Hirror Enniffer (2008), Hydra Head Records
  • Uncrossing / Ice Mole Split EP with House of Low Culture (2010), Utech Records
  • Iron Road II / Fake Witch Split 12" with Oakeater (2011), Sige
  • Lou Lou... In Tokyo Split with House of Low Culture and Merzbow (2011), Sige
  • Perverted Scripture / Silent Night Split EP with House of Low Culture (2011), Sige
  • Mare Decendrii (2011), Sige
  • Bless Them That Curse You Collaboration LP with Locrian (2011), Sige
  • Mamiffer / Pyramids Split LP with Pyramids (2012), Hydra Head Records
  • Enharmonic Intervals (for Paschen organ) Collaboration LP with Circle (2013), Sige
  • Statu Nascendi (2014), Sige
  • Crater Collaboration LP with Daniel Menche (2015), Sige
  • The World Unseen (2016), Sige
  • Recordings For Lilac III limited cassette (2017), The Tapeworm
  • The Brilliant Tabernacle (2019), Sige
  • Ae/Be EP, (2020), Sige
  • Mettapatterning for Constellation, (2020), Sige

With Marshall Trammell

  • Experimental Love I & II (2020), Sige

With [[Old Man Gloom]]

With Pharaoh Overlord

  • 6 (2020), Rocket Recordings

With Split Cranium

With [[Sumac (band)|Sumac]]

With Summer of Seventeen

  • Summer of Seventeen (2020, Karlrecords)

With Tashi Dorji

  • Turn!Turn!Turn (2019), Sige

With Thalassa

  • Bonds of Prosperity (2017), Sige

With Twilight

With Unionsuit

As a guest contributor

Artwork

Turner's artwork tends toward the abstract or surreal, often depicting strange or fantastic landscapes and structures. His work on album covers, concert posters, and other music-related graphics is distinct from typical work in heavy metal or rock graphic design. In part, this may be because of the way that Turner views his objectives in creating designs, which he has discussed on his blog in response to criticism of the clarity of text on one of his concert posters:

::quote I also generally reject the idea that posters and album sleeves and T-shirts have to be marketing tools with overly obvious type/graphics, as opposed to more artistically oriented pieces that invoke the true spirit of the music they are intended to represent. if the bands being represented aren't writing 3 minute pop songs with inane choruses that beat the listener into submission, why should the representative graphics serve that purpose? i like to think the audience that follows these bands isn't the type of audience that requires overly simplified/commercial imagery and type in order to draw their attention to the "product". it is precisely the type of corporate design mentality as exemplified by the statement above that i have striven to avoid with what i do in the realm of music related graphics. we're not trying to sell our music to wal-mart shoppers, so if you expect our graphic personality to fall in line with what you were taught in design school about corporate branding and "truly effective" type and illustration techniques you shall be continually disappointed. clean type has its time and place, but this poster which is meant to showcase the personality of our label and by extension the show itself isn't it. music related design can be art simply beyond the idea of selling something... ::

In 2008, Turner's artwork was featured in a FIFTY24SF Gallery group show entitled Catalyst. Turner has created album covers and liner note artwork for a variety of artists and bands, many of whom are signed to Hydra Head Records or Tortuga Recordings.

References

;Footnotes ;Citations

References

  1. Doreian, Robyn. (May 2009). "Welcome to My World: Aaron Turner". [[Rock Sound]].
  2. Brandon, Stosuy. (January 30, 2007). "Isis Frontman Joins Black Metal Supergroup Twilight".
  3. Neva, Damien. (September 9, 2003). "Fantasizing Hydra Head: A Conversation with Aaron Turner".
  4. Rosenschein, Ari. (April 12, 2016). "The Secret Island Life of Mamiffer".
  5. (March 7, 2011). "Mamiffer's Faith Coloccia, Aaron Turner Form SIGE Record Label". Plug in Music.
  6. Rennis, Nick. "Almost exactly four years ago, a fateful convergence".
  7. Carioli, Carly. (4–11 February 1999). "Metal Health". The Phoenix Media/Communications Group.
  8. Hill, Mike. (May 13, 2011). "Isis' Aaron Turner: Musical Renaissance Man – Exclusive Interview". [[AOL]].
  9. Bennett, J.. (June 2009). "Five Alive". [[Decibel (magazine).
  10. Turner, Aaron. (September 29, 2009). "Just Got Married". Feral Pig.
  11. (2007). "Aaron Turner ISIS 10 Year Anniversary Tour". GeekChat/GuitarGeek.
  12. Turner, Aaron. (2008). "HYDRA HEAD SXSW Poster". FERAL PIG/ the aural & visual art of Aaron Turner.
  13. Porosky, Pamela. (2005). "Isis". New Bay Media, LLC.
  14. Maximus. (2016). "RIGGED: SUMAC's Aaron Turner, Brian Cook, and Nick Yacyshyn". Blast Beat Network.
  15. Donnelly, Justin. (2005). "ISIS feature interview at Blistering.com".
  16. Gallardo, Alfredo. (November 15, 2011). "Entrevista con Aaron Turner".
  17. (2007). "Ten Questions with Aaron Turner of ISIS". HavocTV.com.
  18. Rauf, Adam. (June 18, 2010). "The Isis Interview: Exclusive". Blow the Scene.
  19. (December 27, 2009). "Grey Machine Discography". [[Godflesh]].
  20. "Unionsuit: Biography". [[Second Nature Recordings]].
  21. (April 6, 2004). "27 – ''Let the Light In''". Scene Point Blank.
  22. Gibb, Rory. (June 14, 2011). "Boris: ''Heavy Rocks / Attention Please''".
  23. (June 14, 2017). "Chelsea Wolfe: New Album Announced, New Song Released, New Tour Dates Announced!". MetalSucks.net.
  24. Yancey, Bryne. (April 30, 2012). "Converge, Napalm Death plan split 7-inch". [[Alternative Press (music magazine).
  25. (December 10, 2018). "Dekathlon: The Thin Road 7". Ektro Records.
  26. (March 2017). "FULL OF HELL FULFILL ALL PROMISES WITH BEST LP YET".
  27. (2008). "O T H E R". Hydra Head Records.
  28. McBay, Nadine. (October 27, 2009). "Pelican – ''What We Come to Need''". [[Drowned in Sound]].
  29. (2008). ""V" Is for Viagra. The Remixes". Puscifer Entertainment.
  30. (March 2022). "Samuel Kerridge on Facebook".
  31. Turner, Aaron. (10 March 2008). "Negative Approach". FERAL PIG / the aural & visual art of Aaron Turner.
  32. (September 4, 2008). ""Catalyst" Opens Tonight at FIFTY24SF Gallery". [[Juxtapoz]].
  33. "''Telestic Disfracture'' – 5ive". AllMusic.
  34. "''Breaking the Fourth Wall'' – Beecher". [[AllMusic]].
  35. "''Northern Failures'' – Cable". AllMusic.
  36. Turner, Aaron. (April 29, 2011). "Cave In "''White Silence''" LP". Feral Pig.
  37. Turner, Aaron. (August 20, 2011). "COALESCE, BLACK FACE, etc.". feral pig.
  38. Butler, Blake. "''Petitioning the Empty Sky'' – Credits". AllMusic.
  39. Gramlich, Chris. (2005). "Petitioning the Empty Sky ''(Reissue)''". [[Equal Vision Records]].
  40. "''Bodies for Strontium 90'' – Craw". AllMusic.
  41. "''Drowningman Still Loves You'' – Drowningman". AllMusic.
  42. "''War & Wine'' – The Dukes of Nothing". AllMusic.
  43. (1998). "Mosquito Control". Escape Artist Recordings.
  44. (1999). "The Red Sea". Second Nature Recordings.
  45. (1999). "Celestial". Escape Artist Records.
  46. (2001). "SGNL›05". Neurot Recordings.
  47. (2002). "Oceanic". Ipecac Recordings.
  48. (2004). "Panopticon". Ipecac Recordings.
  49. (2006). "In the Absence of Truth". Ipecac Recordings.
  50. (2008). "Not in Rivers, But in Drops". [[Ipecac Recordings]].
  51. (2009). "Wavering Radiant". Conspiracy Records.
  52. Turner, Aaron. (June 10, 2010). "torche/boris test prints, isis/melvins split, etc". Feral Pig.
  53. "''Atomsmasher'' – James Plotkin's Atomsmasher". AllMusic.
  54. (2006). "Silver". Hydra Head Records.
  55. "''Lifeline'' – Jesu". AllMusic.
  56. "''Mongrel'' – KEN mode". AllMusic.
  57. (2003). "Guitar Method". Hydra Head Records.
  58. "''Hello Motherfucker'' – Milligram". AllMusic.
  59. "''All Reflections Drained'' – Xasthur". AllMusic.

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::

1977-birthsliving-peopleisis-(band)-membersamerican-graphic-designersamerican-heavy-metal-guitaristsamerican-heavy-metal-singersamerican-experimental-musiciansamerican-shoegaze-musiciansguitarists-from-new-mexicomusicians-from-santa-fe,-new-mexicoamerican-male-guitarists21st-century-american-singersold-man-gloom-memberstwilight-(band)-membersmusicians-from-springfield,-massachusetts