Looking at the Facebook page for Levels, the only information they offer is that they are a "Seattle-based band." The end. Clicking on to listen to their album, it's easy to see why they don't feel the need to elaborate on who they are or what they do. From the first, chopping guitars of "Ghoul," on their debut EP, V, all you really need to know is this band lives for the structure and impact of a tightly constructed riff.

Though adorned with bare-bones effects, "Ghoul" thrives on the immediacy and unimpeachably affecting riff supplied by guitarist and frontman Jerry Van Galder. His vocals are masculine and deadpan, another nod to the efficiency that seems to define Levels. As of the recording, Levels were just a two-piece, Van Galder's voice and guitar propelled forward by the drumming of Saba Samakar.

Read Rev. Adam McKinney's full feature on Level in Northwest Military's Music & Culture section.

LEVELS, w/ Simon the Leper, Icanus, New Mexico, 10 p.m., Friday, May 24, Le Voyeur, 44 E. Fourth Ave., Olympia, no cover, 360.943.5710