Eraas

Brooklyn's dark electro-rock project ERAAS formed out of the ashes of the like-minded post-rock group Apse when that outfit disbanded in late 2010. Seeking to do more with less, Apse founder Robert Toher reunited with one of his former bandmates and childhood friend Austin Stawiarz. The pair began writing songs that retained Apse's dark atmosphere but streamlined it with pulsating electronics, and finished their self-titled debut album in 2011. After making ERAAS available for free online, the group signed to Felte Records, which gave ERAAS an official release in October 2012. Just over a year later, Toher and Stawiarz returned with Initiation, a moodier and even more electronic-based set of songs. ~ Heather Phares