The seeds of Gouge Away's Deep Sage were sown during the fleeting moments of respite on and between tours in 2019, where the band found its creative energy during sound checks and the rare moments of downtime. By early 2020, they had immersed themselves in demo sessions with audio engineer Brok Mende in an unassuming storage unit in Orlando. Drawing inspiration from their influences while infusing their signature urgency, noise, and inward-looking lyrics, those initial demos served as the foundation upon which the new album was built.

However, fate dealt its harsh blow in 2020, as the world ground to a halt, casting shadows of uncertainty over Gouge Away's future. Forced into an unforeseen hiatus, the band dispersed across different corners of the country, their momentum abruptly halted. The songs they had poured their souls into could’ve been left to languish in obscurity, forgotten relics of a band on the rise.

But the echoes of those unfinished songs persisted, luring the band back to together. On the cusp of 2022, with the promise of a new year ahead of them, Gouge Away reunited, their creative spirit rekindled. A chance invitation to join Militarie Gun on stage reignited their passion, making way for a triumphant return after a three-year hiatus. Fueled by the electrifying energy of being back on stage and emboldened by newfound purpose, the band dove headfirst into finishing Deep Sage and emerge with an album full of urgency, abrasiveness, and melodic depth.

Recorded with Jack Shirley at Atomic Garden East in March 2023, Deep Sage captures the raw essence of Gouge Away. Embracing the analog warmth of live recording, the band sought to recreate the intimate camaraderie of jam sessions in their Florida beginnings. They’ve done that and more, with the result being visceral and unfiltered, the sound of a band forging a path forward with passion, purpose, and unyielding resolve. If rage were currency, Gouge Away would already be rich.