Blind Idiot God
United States · formed 1982 · last active 2015
Blind Idiot God is an instrumental trio formed in 1982 in St. Louis, fusing noise rock, dub, funk, free jazz and metal; Greg Ginn signed them to SST Records after hearing their demo. Their 1988 album Undertow was produced by Bill Laswell and featured saxophonist John Zorn, and the full band performed on Laswell's Praxis album Sacrifist (1993) alongside Buckethead, Bootsy Collins and Yamatsuka Eye. Khanate drummer Tim Wyskida joined in 2001 and remains the band's drummer through their 2015 reunion album Before Ever After.
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 5 — Cited free-jazz influences (Cecil Taylor, Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane); saxophonist John Zorn composed 'Purged Specimen' for the band and they performed in his Coltrane-tribute group 'Ascension' (Wikipedia).
- Hardcore 2 — Formed in 1982 St. Louis playing one-minute hardcore-punk songs before moving away from vocals and toward instrumental fusion (Wikipedia).
- Death 2 — Heavy, palm-muted metal riffing is part of their instrumental fusion, though without growled vocals or death-metal genre identity.
- Technical 7 — Described as 'technical, aggressive' fusion of noise rock, math rock, dub, funk, free jazz and 20th-century classical music (Wikipedia/AllMusic).
- Ambient 2 — Dub-influenced atmospheric passages noted in critical descriptions of their sound.
MEMBERS
CONNECTIONS
- Jodispath →
Tim Wyskida in both — drums in Jodis, drums (2001-present); also drummer of Khanate in Blind Idiot God. source ↗
- Khanatepath →
Drummer Tim Wyskida, known for his work in Khanate, joined Blind Idiot God in 2001 and remains their drummer. source ↗
- Khlystpath →
Tim Wyskida in both — drums, gong in Khlyst, drums (2001-present); also drummer of Khanate in Blind Idiot God. source ↗
- Godfleshpath →
Guitarist Andy Hawkins collaborated with Justin Broadrick (Godflesh) on the side project Skinner's Black Laboratories (1995). source ↗
- Praxispath →
The full band (Andy Hawkins, Gabe Katz, Ted Epstein) performed on Bill Laswell's Praxis album Sacrifist (1993), alongside John Zorn, Buckethead, Bootsy Collins, Mick Harris and Yamatsuka Eye. source ↗
- Khlystpath →
Will Dahl (Blind Idiot God bass) handled live sound and audio recording for Khlyst's Chaos Live (2008), credited Technician [Live Sound], Recorded By [Audio Recording]. source ↗
- Painkillerpath →
Bill Laswell (Painkiller) worked as producer/engineer on Blind Idiot God's "Sawtooth" — credited Producer. Multi-anchor credit (Bill Laswell is a member of 2 atlas bands); tied to every home band per ruling 9 (2026-08-22). source ↗
- Praxispath →
Bill Laswell (Praxis) worked as producer/engineer on Blind Idiot God's "Sawtooth" — credited Producer. Multi-anchor credit (Bill Laswell is a member of 2 atlas bands); tied to every home band per ruling 9 (2026-08-22). source ↗
- 6:33path →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: 6:33's "Orphan Of Good Manners" (2011) and Blind Idiot God's "Before Ever After" (2015). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Acid Mothers Templepath →
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/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Blind Idiot God's "Before Ever After" (2015) and Burning Witch's "Crippled Lucifer" (2008). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Earthpath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Blind Idiot God's "Before Ever After" (2015) and Earth's "Live Europe 2006" (2007). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Ephel Duathpath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Blind Idiot God's "Before Ever After" (2015) and Ephel Duath's "Through My Dog's Eyes." (2009). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defectspath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Blind Idiot God's "Before Ever After" (2015) and Fredrik Thordendal's Special Defects's "Sol Niger Within" (2016). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Goatsnakesatellitepath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Blind Idiot God's "Before Ever After" (2015) and Goatsnake's "1" (2022). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- House of Low Culturepath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Blind Idiot God's "Before Ever After" (2015) and House of Low Culture's "Live From The House Of Low Temperature!" (2003). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Jesupath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Blind Idiot God's "Before Ever After" (2015) and Jesu's "Sun Down / Sun Rise" (2007). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- KK Nullpath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Blind Idiot God's "Before Ever After" (2015) and KK Null's "Extropy" (2009). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Lotus Eaterspath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Blind Idiot God's "Before Ever After" (2015) and Lotus Eaters's "Lotus Eaters" (2002). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Made Out of Babiespath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Blind Idiot God's "Before Ever After" (2015) and Made Out of Babies's "The Ruiner" (2008). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Nadjapath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Blind Idiot God's "Before Ever After" (2015) and Nadja's "Thaumogenesis" (2007). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Neurosispath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Blind Idiot God's "Before Ever After" (2015) and Neurosis's "A Sun That Never Sets" (2001). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Orthodoxpath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Blind Idiot God's "Before Ever After" (2015) and Orthodox's "Amanecer En Puerta Oscura" (2007). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Pelicanpath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Blind Idiot God's "Before Ever After" (2015) and Pelican's "Live In Chicago 6/11/03" (2005). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- Sunn O)))path →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Blind Idiot God's "Before Ever After" (2015) and Sunn O)))'s "Black One" (2005). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
- The Oceanpath →
Both bands' cover art/design work was done by freelance artist Seldon Hunt: Blind Idiot God's "Before Ever After" (2015) and The Ocean's "Pelagial" (2013). Pairwise artwork tie per the 2026-08-07 ruling (PROTOCOL rule 7, the exception to hub-and-spoke) — Hunt is not an atlas band member so there is no anchor band. One representative Discogs credit cited; the companion credit is logged in research/edge-taxonomy-ledger.json. source ↗
FURTHER LISTENING
Nearest score profiles in the atlas.
- Dissonant tech-deathEI 10ZeviousTechnicalJazzy
Brooklyn/NYC instrumental trio blending prog, jazz, and metal into knotty, polymetric compositions; began as an acoustic jazz unit before electrifying into an aggressive math-rock/tech-metal power trio. Drummer Jeff Eber doubles in Dysrhythmia, and the band's Cuneiform-era records were engineered by Dysrhythmia's Colin Marston, tying them into the Brooklyn tech-metal underground.
- Dissonant tech-deathEI 14DysrhythmiaTechnicalJazzy
Dysrhythmia is an instrumental progressive/technical metal trio formed in Philadelphia in 1998 by guitarist Kevin Hufnagel and drummer Jeff Eber, now based in Brooklyn. Bassist Colin Marston — also of Krallice, Behold...The Arctopus, and the reunited Gorguts — joined in 2004, and the band's eight studio albums fuse jazz-inflected chord work, technical/progressive-death riffing, and prog-rock structure into a wordless, largely live-tracked instrumental attack.
- UnaffiliatedEI 8Cartel CarnageTechnicalJazzy
Cartel Carnage is a French quintet of jazz-scene musicians (guitar, bass, trumpet, tenor sax, drums) fusing free jazz, heavy metal, pop and progressive rock into what reviewers called a 'musical UFO.' Their sound and stated influences — Naked City, Fantomas, Mr. Bungle, Zorn, Ornette Coleman, alongside Meshuggah and Slayer — place them squarely in genre-collision RIO/avant-prog territory, though no sourced personnel or label ties connect them to the existing atlas. Their sole full-length, Incorporated, was released in 2012 on Great Winds/Musea Records.
- UnaffiliatedEI 8Tear Light From MatterTechnicalJazzy
Tear Light From Matter is a Massachusetts-based instrumental act pairing saxophone with a standard metal rhythm section, self-tagged on Bandcamp as experimental/jazz metal/fusion/prog metal. Their debut, "In Statu Nascendi" (released 25 January 2019, recorded and mixed by Jerry MacDonald at Odd Fellows Recording), sits alongside a further release, "Fœtal Præyers", in a small but pointed discography. The saxophone-led interplay places them in the lineage of jazz-inflected heavy bands rather than straightforward metal songwriting.
- Dissonant tech-deathEI 11The Pitts Minnemann ProjectTechnicalJazzy
The Pitts Minnemann Project is an instrumental progressive-rock/jazz-fusion collaboration between keyboardist Jimmy Pitts (Scholomance) and drummer Marco Minnemann, joined by rotating guest virtuosi on guitar, bass, saxophone, and violin. They released two albums, '2 L 8 2 B Normal' (2014) and 'The Psychic Planetarium' (2016), both blending heavy fusion with progressive-metal complexity.
- ZornEI 15Titan to TachyonsTechnicalJazzy
Titan to Tachyons is a New York instrumental quartet led by guitarist Sally Gates, built around a two-bassist frontline (Trevor Dunn and Matt Hollenberg) with drummer Kenny Grohowski, fusing free-jazz improv, prog counterpoint, and metal violence into sci-fi-themed instrumentals. Their 2022 album Vonals was released on John Zorn's Tzadik label (following 2020's Cactides on Nefarious Industries), and the polyrhythmic, two-bass arrangement gives the compositions an unusually dense, contrapuntal low end. Every member's other credits (Mr. Bungle, Fantômas, Tomahawk, Secret Chiefs 3, Cleric, Imperial Triumphant) wire this band into the Zorn/downtown-jazz and Patton-adjacent avant-metal orbit.
- Tool-verseEI 11Volto!TechnicalJazzy
Volto! is an American jazz-fusion jam band based in Los Angeles, best known as the side project of Tool drummer Danny Carey. Formed in the early 2000s from improvised sessions with guitarist John Ziegler and bassist Lance Morrison at a San Fernando Valley jazz club, the group spent nearly a decade as a live-only act before releasing its debut album Incitare (2013) on Fantasy Records. Their heady, genre-spinning instrumental sound bridges King Crimson, Liquid Tension Experiment, and 1970s fusion, foregrounding the improvisation that Carey has cited as his main motivation for the project.
- Kayo Dot-verseEI 8The DRXTechnicalJazzy
The DRX is the avant-rock vehicle of New York drummer/composer Dan Romans, active since 2008 with a rotating cast of collaborators drawn from Kayo Dot, Psalm Zero, Buke & Gase and other Brooklyn/Rochester experimental circles. Across Thesis (2009), the Deepening Hole EP (2011) and the concept album Throughout Within (2016, Nefarious Industries), the project layers polyrhythmic riffs, hardcore breakdowns, horns/strings/choir and synthesized drones under Romans' despondent, catharsis-driven songwriting. The sound sits at the progressive/avant-metal edge of art-rock — dense, horn-inflected and structurally restless rather than genre-orthodox.
- UnaffiliatedEI 8Burning GhostsTechnicalJazzy
Los Angeles metal-jazz quartet fronted by trumpeter Dan Rosenboom and guitarist Jake Vossler, pairing lyrical, Miles-Davis-lineage trumpet against Vossler's distorted, noise-inflected guitar over double bass and drums. Their 2017 debut Reclamation (Tzadik) was tracked in 72 hours as a politically charged 'jazz protest record,' moving between free improvisation, heavy thrash riffing, and balladic passages.
- UnaffiliatedEI 8Red Side VisibleJazzyTechnical
Red Side Visible is a Cleveland/Akron, Ohio project built around multi-instrumentalist Tim Mirth, fusing odd-metered metal riffing with genuine free-jazz improvisation and alto saxophone. Press copy invokes Meshuggah, Mr. Bungle and Zappa as touchstones; the 2021 album 'A Break from Normality' collects material written and re-recorded across a decade since the project's 2010 debut 'Enter Entropy'.