Hella Essentials

Formed in Sacramento, California in 2001, Hella found a particularly expressive middle ground between math rock and noise, working with both extreme volume and tempos. The sound that drummer Zach Hill and guitarist Spencer Seim hit upon as a result is as knotty and virtuosic as jazz and as in-your-face as hardcore punk. Over the years, the duo have expanded their attack, adding new members and experimenting with electronica. These days, it's back to just Hill and Seim, but with both finding less time for Hella with their various side-projects including Death Grips and The Advantage.