An influential drone music group, Pelt emerged in the early '90s with an improvisational sound rooted in psychedelia, modern composition, and, on albums such as 2001's Ayahuasca, Appalachian folk music and Indian raga. Featuring a core lineup of Mike Gangloff, Patrick Best, Mikel Dimmick, and Nathan Bowles -- late guitarist Jack Rose was a member for 11 years -- the band have released dozens of innovative albums, including Pearls from the River (2003), Effigy (2012), and Reticence/Resistance (2021). Associated acts include Eight Point Star, Black Twig Pickers, and the Spiral Joy Band.

Founded in Richmond, Virginia, Pelt released their first album, Brown Cyclopaedia, on their own Radioactive Rat label in 1995; it was later reissued by VHF. The group's second album, Burning/Filament/Rockets, was also issued in 1995. The band released two albums in 1997, Snake to Snake and Max Meadows. The latter featured electric guitar-based drones that were dense and cathartic just as often as they were subdued and meditative. On Técheöd, released in 1998, the group branched out a bit, mixing instruments such as tabla, flute, and lap steel into a sound increasingly influenced by folk and ethnic music. Pelt followed Técheöd with Empty Bell Ringing in the Sky, which contained both home and live recordings, and Rob's Choice, a limited-edition live album featuring Tom Carter of Charalambides on saxophone.

2001 saw the release of Ayahuasca as well as United Supreme Council Oastem Vibe Orchestra, a limited-edition live collaboration with Rake that was recorded in Richmond, Virginia, in 1997, and a collaboration with Keenan Lawler and Eric Clark entitled Keyhole. Pearls from the River appeared in 2003, followed by the eponymous Pelt in 2005, the latter of which marked the studio debut of Mikel Dimmick. Nathan Bowles officially joined the group in 2006 and made his Pelt debut on Skullfuck. Jack Rose left the fold in 2006 to pursue a solo career. Dauphin Elegies and A Stone for Angus MacLise arrived in 2008 and 2009, respectively. Sadly, Jack Rose passed away in 2009 after suffering a heart attack.

2012 saw Pelt issue Effigy, which was recorded in a former opera house, as well as the concert album The Eighth Day, The Eleventh Month, The Two-Thousand Twelfth Year. In 2017, the band performed at London's Café Oto over two nights. A recording of the performance titled Reticence/Resistance was released in 2021. ~ Charlie Wilmoth & James Christopher Monger, Rovi