With its combination of glacial tempos and angular riffage, Lawrence, Kan.-based progressive doom trio Jumbo’s Killcrane is gaining attention as part of a resurgent doom/sludge movement in the heavy metal underground. The Daily Pulse caught up with guitarist, vocalist and founding member Erik Jarvis at tour stop in Richmond, Va. to discuss the band’s latest album “The Slow Decay” and the power of volume.

Joshua Haun: You guys took your sound in a heavier direction with “The Slow Decay.” What led you in that direction?

Erik Jarvis: Well, I think it was just natural progression of our band; it always just does that. We didn’t really try to do it on purpose, it just kind of came out that way. We like it — it’s definitely our favorite album to date. We’re pretty proud of it.

JH: It seems like the doom/sludge genre is getting more attention in the underground; do you agree?

EJ: I could see that; I don’t know, the first two shows of this tour have been pretty good, so I don’t know if that’s any indication but, yeah, I’d say there’s some interest brewing.

It seems like a couple years ago it kinda started to get popular and then it kinda faded, and it seems like there’s a little bit of a rebirth going on now.

I think if you’re a good band, people will enjoy that no matter what style it is. I like doom, but I don’t even consider us a doom band really — it just kinda turned out that way.

JH: A lot of reviews of “The Slow Decay” talk about a progressive element of your sound in addition to the doom elements. Where does this side of the band come from?

EJ: I that’s just to keep us interested, probably the selfish aspect of our music or whatever, but that’s just what we do. Things have gotten louder and heavier over the years but we still have that … I guess it’s kind of a quirky writing style.

JH: When I spoke to Greg Anderson of [experimental/doom duo] Sunn 0))), he said he felt you can wring much more emotion out of playing slower music. Do you agree with that?

EJ: Yeah, definitely. There’s something about a slower pace that makes things more intense. There’s the whole tension release thing in music anyways; I think it’s made all that more powerful by doing things slower in some cases.

But then again, you also have to be way more precise to make it effective.

It’s definitely a whole different way of looking at being in a band and creating soundwaves.

Soundmen definitely don’t like doom bands because they rely so much on big huge [speaker] cones and feedback.

JH: How much does that sheer volume play into what you do in the live setting?

EJ: It’s crucial, definitely. It has to punch you, it has to vibrate within you and just really affects you physically and emotionally.

JH: What goes through your mind when you’re playing live?

EJ: It’s just a release when we’re playing, it’s a lot of fun. It’s just a total emotional release and catharsis.

What: Jumbo’s Killcrane, William Elliott Whitmore, Clutch

Where: Harry Mary’s, 2307 University Ave., Des Moines

When: 7 p.m., tonight

Cost: $20