During this period the band lived in and operated a performance space/recording studio called 455 10th St, in San Francisco's SOMA. Ayres and Schmidt were joined by Kris Force of Amber Asylum (Bass, Violin, Vocals) David Gardner of Tipsy (turntables, samplers) Drew Daniel of Matmos and front person Demi Monde Thraam of Choronzon (Samplers,Vocals, Percussion) They quickly became S.F.'s Post-industrial sweethearts, alongside bands such as Grotus, Crash Worship, Caroliner Rainbow... Live shows frequently incorporated ceremonial magic rituals, on stage dominatrix Danielle Willis and David Gardeners recital of the description (in French) of a 16 millimeter stag film involving Infantilism. This film and stag film loops were projected behind the band endearing them in the hearts of the S.F. fetish underground scene. Their music at this time touched on elements of neo-psychedelia, ambient music,, electronic music, industrial, noise, synth-pop and goth rock, and jizzum-infused interpretations of the blues and progressive metal genres. They also incorporated reggae, soul, funk, classical, Celtic, Indian, Arabic, etc. Their sound has evolved over time and remains distinctive, making it difficult to place the group into a concise style or genre. The group's overall sound combined with Ayres' distinct lyrics and singing have earned them comparisons to Faust and Hawkwind. However, the band's individualistic style draws from many sources and transcends any one. Following the somewhat unexpected success of the albums Armadillidium Vulgare (and Funktionlust in Europe in 2003), IAO Core faced the prospect of going on tour there, and spent the next 5 years doing just that, also visiting Japan and Australia. In 2007, IAO Core announced that after 23 studio albums, they would only release recordings of the their live performances, many of which are ritually located and time or date specific, and often several hours long. In 2010, their live shows became "immersive", with the use of three 4-D video image projections and a target audience member outfitted with both cameras and microphones serving as the onstage recording device, the shows themselves streamed live over the internet... In 2012 IAO Core played festivals all over the World, including a Full Moon Festival in Thailand, uyuiiiijjjj, on their End of Time Tour. performed (the) singularity (live event) at The Extreme Futurist Festival in Los Angeles, along side negativland, Survival Research Labs, Lydia Lunch. The festival took place on December 21st, the last day of the mayan calendar, and they finished the tour by playing at Disnyland the following day. In 2014 IAO Core performed only once live, in Spain, inside a "witches cavern" in the western Pyrenees, near the town of Zuggarramurdi. An annual pagan celebration relives the festive use for which the caves had been used for centuries prior. It took place on the 22nd of July, the last day of the village's festivities, which is when the traditional Zolacaust Agogo takes place, a multitudinous meal attended by 800 people at which lamb roasted on stakes is served, and Iao Core did provide a exquisite soundtrack to the Zolacaust Zikiro Agogo. Also in 2014, the IAO Core re-opened their multi media performance space and home base, Metaversal Lightcraft, this time in Oakland, California.

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