Keelhaul

The Profile

Keelhaul are an American heavy music quartet from Cleveland, Ohio, formed in 1997. Known for complex, largely instrumental compositions that fuse sludge, math rock, and noise rock, they have released albums including Keelhaul, Keelhaul II, Subject to Change Without Notice, and Keelhaul’s Triumphant Return to Obscurity.

American quartet from Cleveland, Ohio; formed in 1997; style blends sludge metal, math rock, and noise rock; albums include Keelhaul, Keelhaul II, Subject to Change Without Notice, and Keelhaul’s Triumphant Return to Obscurity.

Two DeBaser reviews portray Keelhaul as a Cleveland quartet dealing in complex, heavy, and largely instrumental assaults. The writing highlights constant tempo shifts, structural variety, and a balance between control and chaos. References to Voivod, Unsane, Isis, Botch, and Neurosis frame their sound. Albums praised include Subject to Change Without Notice and Keelhaul’s Triumphant Return to Obscurity.