Inspired by the East-meets-West solo guitar musings of
John Fahey or
Robbie Basho, former
Plague Lounge guitarist
Ben Chasny formed
Six Organs of Admittance in 1998 in Northern California.
Six Organs' self-titled, self-released debut was released that year, followed by various compilation tracks and obscurities. In 2000,
Six Organs released the
Manifestation EP on the Ba Da Bing! label, a one-sided clear vinyl-only release consisting of one extended piece (it was reissued by Strange Attractors on CD in 2004 with extra music), and featuring female vocals and varied percussion accompanying the centerpiece of
Chasny's guitar. Also in 2000,
Dust and Chimes was released, first in a limited edition by Pavilion, and then in an expanded run by Holy Mountain. The second full-length from
Six Organs, it featured raga-like guitar work surrounded by bells, chimes (as the name implies), drones, and
Chasny's multi-tracked, chant-style vocals. In 2003
Chasny began an association with
Comets on Fire, which led to him becoming a full-time touring and recording member of the band. He also released
Compathia with Holy Mountain and two titles for Time-Lag, a CD reissue of 1999's limited-edition
Nightly Trembling and the landmark
For Octavio Paz. After recording and touring extensively with
Comets on Fire in 2004,
Chasny returned to the studio and issued the moving and beautiful "School of a Flower" on Drag City in January of 2005.
Sun Awakens and
Shelter from the Ash arrived in 2006 and 2007, followed in 2009 by
RTZ. ~ Jason Nickey & Thom Jurek, All Music Guide