Paris/NYC jazz-metal trio Kilter have announced their new album Ten Billion Years, due out June 19th, 2026. The record serves as an ambitious sonic interpretation of the birth and eventual death of our solar system, following the journey of a single water droplet as it transforms across space and time through a striking blend of bass, drums, and saxophone.
Drawing inspiration from John Cage’s experiments with time-stretching, the band developed the material through a unique compositional process: recording ten minutes of music, slowing it down to 25% of its original speed, and then painstakingly reconstructing the pieces from scratch at the new, glacial pace. The result is a work rooted in reinterpretation and discovery, revealing new dimensions in the music much like unseen worlds emerging under a microscope.
New single Awakening & Living showcases Kilter’s ability to merge atmosphere with intensity. The moody waltz is driven by lush saxophone passages and culminates in cinematic vocals from drummer Kenny Grohowski (Imperial Triumphant, Secret Chiefs 3, John Zorn). Conceptually, the track captures the moment in Earth’s formation when life first emerged from the oceans and moved onto land.
Kilter’s fusion of jazz and metal feels both organic and exploratory, balancing experimental ambition with emotional depth. It’s this natural sense of atmosphere and fearless musical curiosity that gives the trio such a distinct and compelling identity.
ZR