The Sabians are a hard rock band that have an unparalleled passion and integrity in their music, lyrics and live presentation. Their sound is a combination of punk, folk, metal and chant. The band came together in the summer of 1999 in Oakland, California, when singer-songwriter Justin Marler settled in the Bay Area after seven years of seclusion in a monastery. Desiring an outlet for musical expression, Justin reunited with drummer Chris Hakius, his former bandmate in the legendary Bay Area underground band Sleep, and the two began to create powerful, pensive sounds. With influences ranging from Johnny Cash to Ozzy to Byzantine chant, The Sabians create an entirely different sound all their own. Although The Sabians are not a Sleep clone, Sleep fans will not be disappointed as they have retained a cutting-edge side with raw guitars and intense, lengthy songs.