Hailing from Providence, RI (home of fellow high-decibel noise rockers Lightning Bolt), Athletic Automaton took their musical cue from the local Fort Thunder collective of bands and quickly gained notoriety performing equally explosive sets while wearing tight '70s basketball uniforms and sweatbands. Ex-Arab on Radar guitarist Stephen Mattos joined forces with ex-Pellum 123 drummer Patrick Crump and the duo put out a split with Made in Mexico in 2006. After signing to the Skin Graft roster, in September 2007 they released the minimal and pseudo-conceptual A Journey Through Roman's Empire, an instrumental album with song titles like "The Gladiator's Sandal Fight" and "Ceasar's Haircut." ~ Jason Lymangrover