Acid Mothers Temple
Japan · formed 1995 · last active 2025
Acid Mothers Temple & the Melting Paraiso U.F.O. are a Japanese psychedelic collective founded in 1995 by guitarist Kawabata Makoto as an outlet for a rotating cast of players, releasing their self-titled debut on PSF Records in 1997. Extraordinarily prolific, with well over 100 albums, they fuse acid-rock jams, krautrock motorik, raga drones and harsh noise into cosmic long-form freak-outs. The touring lineup has long centered on Kawabata with Higashi Hiroshi, Tsuyama Atsushi and, at points, guitarist Mitsuru Tabata.
SCORE PROFILE
Accent numbers counted towards the index. Hover an axis — or hold it on a phone — for what it means.
WHY THOSE SCORES
- Jazzy 2 — Free, improvisational jam construction, though rooted in psych rather than jazz idiom.
- Technical 4 — Kawabata Makoto's virtuosic, raga-informed guitar shredding.
- Glitch 4 — Electronic freak-outs, synth squall and tape/noise manipulation.
- Theatrical 2 — Cosmic 'soul collective' freak-out staging and personae.
- Folk 3 — French traditional covers (e.g. 'La Novia') and Indian raga/modal folk motifs.
- Doom 2 — Some passages sink into heavy, downtuned sludge.
- Drone 7 — Long-form raga drones and sustained krautrock motorik are central.
- Shoegaze 2 — Walls of saturated, washed-out guitar.
- Ambient 5 — Extended cosmic/space textures and quiet interstellar passages.
MEMBERS
- Kawabata Makotoguitar
- Higashi Hiroshisynthesizer
- Tsuyama Atsushibass
- Mitsuru Tabataguitar· also in Zeni Geva
- Cotton Casinovocals, synthesizer
CONNECTIONS
- 6:33path →
Both bands' cover art was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt (Discogs id 652485): Acid Mothers Temple's "Crystal Rainbow Pyramid Under The Stars" (2007) and this band's "Orphan Of Good Manners" (2011). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7); AMT joins the Seldon Hunt cluster as its 19th atlas client. source ↗
- Blind Idiot Godpath →
Both bands' cover art was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt (Discogs id 652485): Acid Mothers Temple's "Crystal Rainbow Pyramid Under The Stars" (2007) and this band's "Before Ever After" (2015). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7); AMT joins the Seldon Hunt cluster as its 19th atlas client. source ↗
- Burning Witchpath →
Both bands' cover art was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt (Discogs id 652485): Acid Mothers Temple's "Crystal Rainbow Pyramid Under The Stars" (2007) and this band's "Crippled Lucifer" (2008). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7); AMT joins the Seldon Hunt cluster as its 19th atlas client. source ↗
- Earthpath →
Both bands' cover art was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt (Discogs id 652485): Acid Mothers Temple's "Crystal Rainbow Pyramid Under The Stars" (2007) and this band's "Live Europe 2006" (2007). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7); AMT joins the Seldon Hunt cluster as its 19th atlas client. source ↗
- Ephel Duathpath →
Both bands' cover art was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt (Discogs id 652485): Acid Mothers Temple's "Crystal Rainbow Pyramid Under The Stars" (2007) and this band's "Through My Dog's Eyes." (2009). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7); AMT joins the Seldon Hunt cluster as its 19th atlas client. source ↗
- Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defectspath →
Both bands' cover art was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt (Discogs id 652485): Acid Mothers Temple's "Crystal Rainbow Pyramid Under The Stars" (2007) and this band's "Sol Niger Within" (2016). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7); AMT joins the Seldon Hunt cluster as its 19th atlas client. source ↗
- Goatsnakesatellitepath →
Both bands' cover art was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt (Discogs id 652485): Acid Mothers Temple's "Crystal Rainbow Pyramid Under The Stars" (2007) and this band's "1" (2022). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7); AMT joins the Seldon Hunt cluster as its 19th atlas client. source ↗
- House of Low Culturepath →
Both bands' cover art was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt (Discogs id 652485): Acid Mothers Temple's "Crystal Rainbow Pyramid Under The Stars" (2007) and this band's "Live From The House Of Low Temperature!" (2003). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7); AMT joins the Seldon Hunt cluster as its 19th atlas client. source ↗
- Jesupath →
Both bands' cover art was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt (Discogs id 652485): Acid Mothers Temple's "Crystal Rainbow Pyramid Under The Stars" (2007) and this band's "Sun Down / Sun Rise" (2007). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7); AMT joins the Seldon Hunt cluster as its 19th atlas client. source ↗
- KK Nullpath →
Both bands' cover art was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt (Discogs id 652485): Acid Mothers Temple's "Crystal Rainbow Pyramid Under The Stars" (2007) and this band's "Extropy" (2009). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7); AMT joins the Seldon Hunt cluster as its 19th atlas client. source ↗
- Lotus Eaterspath →
Both bands' cover art was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt (Discogs id 652485): Acid Mothers Temple's "Crystal Rainbow Pyramid Under The Stars" (2007) and this band's "Lotus Eaters" (2002). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7); AMT joins the Seldon Hunt cluster as its 19th atlas client. source ↗
- Made Out of Babiespath →
Both bands' cover art was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt (Discogs id 652485): Acid Mothers Temple's "Crystal Rainbow Pyramid Under The Stars" (2007) and this band's "The Ruiner" (2008). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7); AMT joins the Seldon Hunt cluster as its 19th atlas client. source ↗
- Nadjapath →
Both bands' cover art was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt (Discogs id 652485): Acid Mothers Temple's "Crystal Rainbow Pyramid Under The Stars" (2007) and this band's "Thaumogenesis" (2007). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7); AMT joins the Seldon Hunt cluster as its 19th atlas client. source ↗
- Neurosispath →
Both bands' cover art was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt (Discogs id 652485): Acid Mothers Temple's "Crystal Rainbow Pyramid Under The Stars" (2007) and this band's "A Sun That Never Sets" (2001). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7); AMT joins the Seldon Hunt cluster as its 19th atlas client. source ↗
- Orthodoxpath →
Both bands' cover art was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt (Discogs id 652485): Acid Mothers Temple's "Crystal Rainbow Pyramid Under The Stars" (2007) and this band's "Amanecer En Puerta Oscura" (2007). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7); AMT joins the Seldon Hunt cluster as its 19th atlas client. source ↗
- Pelicanpath →
Both bands' cover art was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt (Discogs id 652485): Acid Mothers Temple's "Crystal Rainbow Pyramid Under The Stars" (2007) and this band's "Live In Chicago 6/11/03" (2005). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7); AMT joins the Seldon Hunt cluster as its 19th atlas client. source ↗
- Sunn O)))path →
Both bands' cover art was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt (Discogs id 652485): Acid Mothers Temple's "Crystal Rainbow Pyramid Under The Stars" (2007) and this band's "Black One" (2005). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7); AMT joins the Seldon Hunt cluster as its 19th atlas client. source ↗
- The Oceanpath →
Both bands' cover art was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt (Discogs id 652485): Acid Mothers Temple's "Crystal Rainbow Pyramid Under The Stars" (2007) and this band's "Pelagial" (2013). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7); AMT joins the Seldon Hunt cluster as its 19th atlas client. source ↗
- Bastard Noisepath →
Shared label roster: Alien8 Recordings, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Boris (drone/doom era)path →
Shared label roster: Essence Music, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Boris (rock/shoegaze era)path →
Shared label roster: Essence Music, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Botanistpath →
Shared label roster: tUMULt, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Candy Canepath →
Shared label roster: Verdura Records, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Chat Pilepath →
Shared label roster: Sub Pop Records, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Circlepath →
Shared label roster: Riot Season, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Earthpath →
Shared label roster: Fire Records, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Godfleshpath →
Shared label roster: Swordfish Records, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Incapacitantspath →
Shared label roster: Dirter Promotions, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Keiji Hainopath →
Shared label roster: Black Editions, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- KK Nullpath →
Shared label roster: Dirter Promotions, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Mamifferpath →
Shared label roster: Ektro Records, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Melvinspath →
Shared label roster: Sub Pop Records, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Merzbowpath →
Shared label roster: Bam Balam Records, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Nadjapath →
Shared label roster: Alien8 Recordings, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Old Man Gloompath →
Shared label roster: Ektro Records, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Ompath →
Shared label roster: Important Records, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Oranssi Pazuzupath →
Shared label roster: Verdura Records, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Orthodoxpath →
Shared label roster: God Unknown Records, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Sumacpath →
Shared label roster: Sub Pop Records, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Sunn O)))path →
Shared label roster: Dirter Promotions, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Vampilliapath →
Shared label roster: Important Records, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Zeal & Ardorpath →
Shared label roster: Sub Pop Records, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
- Zupath →
Shared label roster: Macaroni Records, per MusicBrainz. source ↗
FURTHER LISTENING
Nearest score profiles in the atlas.
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Mamiffer is an American experimental band based in Seattle, Washington, founded in 2007 by Faith Coloccia out of ideas from her former group Everlovely Lightningheart. It began as her solo project and grew into a duo with Aaron Turner (of Isis and Sumac), who became her creative partner and later husband; the two also co-founded SIGE Records. The music intertwines ambient, drone, and post-rock composition with piano and ethereal vocals, and the band is known for collaborative albums and rotating guest musicians.
- Post-metalEI 28HarvestmanDroneAmbientFolk
Harvestman is the cosmic folk and psychedelic drone project of Steve Von Till, the guitarist and co-vocalist of Neurosis. The music blends delicate 1970s British-style folk with shimmering psychedelic drift, doom drone, krautrock, and space-raga textures built from electric guitars, synthesizers, dulcimers, and effects processing. Von Till has recorded albums including Lashing the Rye, In a Dark Tongue, Music for Megaliths, and the full-moon-timed Triptych series, all issued through Neurot Recordings. Members of Grails and Om have contributed to the project as supporting players.
- Turner-verse / Hydra HeadEI 24House of Low CultureDroneAmbientGlitch
House of Low Culture is an American drone/dark ambient and experimental project fronted by Aaron Turner (Isis, Sumac), active since 2000 and named after a song from Isis's Sawblade EP. Its music marries warm cinematic tones with murky, sub-nautical textures, and its lineup has drawn on figures from the wider Hydra Head/experimental-metal orbit. Since 2010 the project has centered on Turner alongside his Mamiffer bandmate and wife Faith Coloccia, with Kevin Micka joining in 2020.
- Southern Lord / droneEI 23EarthDroneAmbientFolk
Earth is an American band formed in 1989 in Olympia, Washington, led by guitarist Dylan Carlson, who is regarded as a father of drone. Their 1993 album Earth 2 is recognized as a pioneering work of drone metal, built from heavily distorted, minimalist, slow-moving guitar. After a late-1990s hiatus, the band re-emerged in the 2000s with a cleaner, twangy desert-rock minimalism on albums like Hex; Or Printing in the Infernal Method (2005) and The Bees Made Honey in the Lion's Skull (2008), with Carlson and drummer Adrienne Davies as its core duo.
- Southern Lord / droneEI 24NazoranaiDroneAmbientTechnical
Nazoranai is an improvising power trio formed in 2011 by Keiji Haino (guitar, vocals, synth), Stephen O'Malley of Sunn O))) (bass) and Oren Ambarchi (drums), issuing its self-titled live debut on O'Malley's Ideologic Organ imprint in 2012. The name signals a stance against pure free improvisation, favoring a more deliberate approach as the trio moves from sparse, post-industrial landscapes into huge firestorms of riff and distortion. Its genesis traces to a 2006 introduction between Haino and O'Malley via Ambarchi.
- Turner-verse / Hydra HeadEI 25Lotus EatersDroneAmbientGlitch
Lotus Eaters is an American experimental electroacoustic/drone supergroup formed around 1999, featuring Aaron Turner of Isis, Stephen O'Malley of Sunn O))), and James Plotkin of OLD and Khanate. Working in a minimal, guitar-and-electronics drone idiom, the trio released the CD Mind Control for Infants (Neurot Recordings, 2002) and Wurmwulv (Troubleman Unlimited, 2007). As the only project shared by Turner and O'Malley, it forms the shortest bridge between the Isis pole and the Sunn O))) pole of the atlas. (Not to be confused with the Liverpool new-wave band The Lotus Eaters.)
- Turner-verse / Hydra HeadEI 19JodisDroneAmbient
Jodis is a minimal drone/doom trio featuring Aaron Turner (vocals), James Plotkin (guitar) and Tim Wyskida (drums). The band is a modern exploration of restrained sonic minimalism and tonal/textural density, coupling Plotkin and Wyskida's sparse, mercurial rhythmic interplay with Turner's monolithic ambience and distressed vocals. They released two albums on Hydra Head Records: Secret House (2009) and Black Curtain (2012).
- Southern Lord / droneEI 34Keiji HainoDroneGlitchAmbient
Keiji Haino is a Japanese guitarist, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist active since the 1970s across rock, free improvisation and noise, best known for his long-running band Fushitsusha, formed in 1978. His intensely cathartic sound blends noise, psychedelia and Japanese traditional inflection into massively amplified guitar exploration. Within this atlas he intersects the drone axis directly: Black: Implication Flooding (1998) is a live collaboration album with Boris, and a 2006 meeting with Sunn O)))'s Stephen O'Malley (via Oren Ambarchi) grew into the trio Nazoranai.
- Southern Lord / droneEI 32KTLDroneAmbientGlitch
KTL was a drone/electronic duo formed in 2006 by guitarist Stephen O'Malley (of Sunn O))) and electronic musician Peter Rehberg (Pita, Editions Mego). The project originated as the score for Gisele Vienne and Dennis Cooper's theatre production Kindertotenlieder, which premiered in Brest, France, in March 2007. Working across drone metal, dark ambient, and noise, the duo released six drone-doom albums between 2006 and 2021 on labels including Editions Mego and Thrill Jockey.
- Devin Townsend-verseEI 25Devin Townsend (ambient era)AmbientDroneFolk
This node covers the atmospheric, largely un-distorted pole of Devin Townsend's solo catalog: Ocean Machine: Biomech (1997, "a mix of hard rock, ambient, and progressive rock"), the pure-ambient/experimental Devlab and The Hummer, and Ghost (2011) — a deliberately quiet, New Age-inflected release Townsend paired with the heavy Deconstruction as two halves of one project.