Something shifted in the Portland music scene in 2021. As the world emerged from the uncertainty of the pandemic, a surge of live-band energy propelled a new generation of artists to the forefront of the local consciousness. For the members of Rhododendron, whose debut album Protozoan Battle Hymns arrived that May, the moment was a complex mix of ambition and apprehension. Singer-guitarist Ezra Chong recalls the era with a sense of protective skepticism, noting the influx of newcomers who lacked a genuine connection to the community that had nurtured the scene long before the spotlight arrived.
Formed in 2019, Rhododendron quickly established itself as one of the most formidable acts in the Pacific Northwest. Their sound—a brutal, intricate blend of prog, black metal, post-rock, and screamo—is anchored by the jazz-trained precision of drummer Noah Mortola. Now, nearly five years after their debut, the band is poised to reach a wider audience with their sophomore effort, Ascent Effort, released via The Flenser. The San Francisco-based label, known for its curation of “dark music,” provides a fitting home for a record that feels both expansive and deeply claustrophobic.
“Full disclosure,” Chong admits, “we’ve been sitting on this record for like two years.” Bassist Gage Walker adds, “It’s like a bottle of the time. Speaking for myself, it doesn’t really relate to how I feel now.”
The recording process took the band to The Unknown, a desanctified church in Anacortes, Washington, famously utilized by Phil Elverum. The resulting sound is atmospheric and tectonic, evoking the rugged, windswept landscapes of the region. Despite the technical complexity of their compositions, the band maintains a grounded approach to performance. Chong explains that their vocal style, which draws from the harsh textures of grindcore and powerviolence, is intentionally recontextualized within their slower, more deliberate arrangements.
While the band has shared stages with technical heavyweights like Agriculture and The Fall of Troy, they remain committed to a raw, unadorned live experience. “We focus a lot on each other when we play live,” Walker says. “So maybe we come across as pretty boring or stoic, but there is a lot of workshopping and a lot of attention you have to give to the moment of each song.”
As they prepare for upcoming dates, including a performance at Portland’s Aladdin Theater, the band remains focused on the gradual, organic growth of their career. They aren’t chasing the anthemic trends that often follow a band’s rise in profile; instead, they are content to let their music speak for itself. For Rhododendron, the ascent is not about reaching a specific peak, but about the endurance required to keep climbing.
