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Casual Treatment returns to HAYES with Sludge, six elaborate works rich with living detail and complex, atonal riffs that weave a textural fabric in an impressionistic, dimly lit cavern.

Von ihrer selbstbetitelten Debüt-EP im Jahr 2019 bis zu ihrem ersten Album 'Moonlit Cross' zwei Jahre später ging der Aufstieg von THE NIGHT ETERNAL rasant. Die Ästhetik des deutschen Quintetts stand von Anfang an fest – melodischer, aber dennoch stimmungsvoller Heavy Metal mit mehr als einem Hauch der teuflischen Vergangenheit des Hard Rock – aber selbst der Übergang von der EP zum Album bewies, dass ihre Vision immer noch die dunkleren Nuancen des Heavy Metals auslotete. „Beugen, aber nicht brechen“, lautet die Devise, und THE NIGHT ETERNAL kehren weitere zwei Jahre später mit einem Album zurück, das mehr Dunkelheit denn je erforscht.

Das zweite Album von THE NIGHT ETERNAL mit dem Titel 'Fatale' strahlt sofort eine berauschende Aura aus: härter, schwerer und definitiv DUNKLER, und doch auch irgendwie sanfter und geheimnisvoller. Dynamik spielt hier eine Schlüsselrolle: Während die Deutschen immer noch hart rocken, färbt ein feines Gespür für Nuancen diese neun Hymnen, die eine fast violette Samtatmosphäre haben. Passend dazu strotzt ihre ohnehin schon überragende Melodik vor hymnischer Energie, selbst wenn sie entscheiden, düsterere Schritte ins Jenseits unternehmen. Das Ergebnis ist unwiderruflich ein verblüffend einzigartig und eigenständiger Sound und Stil.

„Unser Versuch für Fatale war es, THE NIGHT ETERNAL noch mehr nach uns selbst klingen zu lassen. Wir haben versucht, gleichzeitig die Melodien und Riffs eingängiger zu machen und dem Gesamtsound eine härtere, düsterere und zeitlosere Note zu verleihen.“

'Fatale' bietet eine kraftvolle, kristallklare Produktion von Marco Brinkmann, abgerundet durch Arthur Rizks Mastering. Der zweite Longplayer von THE NIGHT ETERNAL ist groß und geräumig, bewahrt aber auf magische Weise Intimität und Geheimnisvolles. Es klingt und fühlt sich stadiontauglich an, ganz wie ihre Gründungshelden Judas Priest, Iron Maiden und die Scorpions. Aber auch hier kann nicht genug betont werden, wie 'Fatale' die Band nachhaltig zu einer einzigartigen Einheit macht.

"Fatale" strahlt sofort eine berauschende Aura aus, die Fans von TRIBULATION, THE DEVILS BLOOD, IN SOLITUDE und UNTO OTHERS sofort in ihre Bann ziehen wird!

Die GRAMMY® nominierten Stilikonen des Modern Metal mit cineastischem Alt Metal Meisterwerk Truth Killer

SEVENDUST stehen für innovative Riffs, ausgefeilte Rhythmik und mitreißenden, gefühlvollen Gesang, der sich in der Schnittmenge von Modern Metal, Nu Metal, Alternative Rock und Soul wiederfindet. Seit ihrer Gründung 1994 verfolgen die US-Amerikaner ihren ganz eigenen Weg, auf dem sie sich stets treu geblieben sind. Und der Erfolg gibt ihnen Recht: Bis heute hat Ausnahmeband weltweit über sieben Millionen Alben verkauft. Drei ihrer Alben erreichten in den USA Goldstatus, drei weitere landeten direkt in den Top 15 der Billboard Charts, und mit einer GRAMMY®-Nominierung in der Kategorie „Best Metal Performance“ haben SEVENDUST zweifelsohne ein für alle Mal ihre herausragende Stellung unter Beweis gestellt.

In diesem Sommer meldet sich die Band mit Album Nummer 14 (!) zurück: Das Napalm Records Debut Truth Killer, produziert von Michael ”Elvis” Baskette (Alter Bridge, Trivium, Slash), erscheint am
28. Juli 2023.

Nach knapp 30 Jahren Bandgeschichte machen SEVENDUST mit Truth Killer eindeutig klar, dass sie in all den Jahren weder ihren innovativen, kreativen Geist, noch an Relevanz in der Musiklandschaft verloren haben.

Born from their shared love for heavy music and 20 years of experience in playing together, THE GORGE consists of four jazz musicians who use the project as a creative outlet besides their day jobs as session musicians and music educators. Triangulating the chaotic yet groovy energy and the guitar masterclass of Botch with the riffage of Mastodon and the nimble instrumental intricacy of Animals as Leaders or Intronaut, Mechanical Fiction is an immensely ear-pleasing collection of tasty riffs and complex compositions that are nonetheless free-flowing like a river smoothly carving its winding path through a rugged landscape. With their third full-length album, THE GORGE take you on a giant voyage of discovery from which an incredible amount of joy can be experienced. Besides being wizards at their instruments, the quartet from St. Louis also prove to be incredible composers who know when to shine and when to take a step back, which is a rare feat in progressive music these days. The final track «Wraith» offers a sublime moment in which the band's compositional skill and emotional lyrics come together to offer one last opportunity for respite and consideration. Among the giant synthesizers, slow syncopated riffing and dying screams we are all laid to rest with our faces towards the sunset. Having come to the end of a life's journey, THE GORGE ofer us the thing that we have all longed for: release from the bonds of our Mechanical Fiction. Ltd Orange Red Marble (Beneath The Crust Ed.) Vinyl!

In 2003, Mental Disorder was inaugurated with its first e.p. "Psychiatric Hospital". Twenty years later Mental Disorder is pleased to present "Scoundrel", a release consisting of 3 tracks, all of them written and conceived by label founder Reeko and Surgeon, the living legend and one of the most influential artists of all time. Undoubtedly the most special, risky and different release in the whole MD catalogue so far.

On this release, we find rogue rhythms at 175bpm bordering on drum n' bass, gangster bass sequences with funk influences and eerie atmospheres, healing melodies and hypnotizing riffs that seem to come from vanished civilizations.

Anthony Child and Juan Rico bring to life the twenty-sixth in the mental disorder catalogue, giving a truly unexpected musical twist.

Die australische DeathCore-Combo Thy Art Is Murder lauschte viel Slipknot und Hatebreed und reicherte die aggressive Melange mit den genretypischen Growls und einem fetten Death Metal-Riffing an.

In »Reign Of Darkness« ziehen sich die Gewitterwolken dunkel zusammen, um sich dann in »The Purest Stain Of Hate« komplett zu entladen. Eine astreine Knüppelorgie, die keine Gefangene nimmt. Der anschließende Track »Vile Creations« wiederum besticht mit dem Hardcore-immanenten Groove, der in den zehn Tracks der Platte immer wieder auftaucht. Der letzte Track, »Doomed From Birth«, schließt sogar atmosphärisch die Klammer zum Auftakt.

'Jump Into Love' is the new album from Half Japanese, true DIY noise-rock royalty, led by the ever-effervescent Jad Fair. It's a meeting of minds, a coming together from the world's favourite indie-alt-rock outsiders. Atypically out there and off-kilter, the album wears its heart on its sleeve through a cascade of new, dark and brooding songs from the band who would be king. Loved by Kurt Cobain, Daniel Johnston, Penn Jillette and outsiders everywhere, Half Japanese continue their quest for answers; creating a soundscape for a post-zombie land where bells chime and it's OK to say "Yes". It's another adventure; series 20 from an introspective parallel world where the super prolific Jad Fair cogitates on life, love, giants, the possessed and even bigger issues that simply swell the brain. Musing on the writing process, Jad explains "I feel a need to do music and do song writing. It's something I really miss when I'm not doing it. There's a certain amount of tranquillity that's obtained from the fact that you can be working on songs each day. I think you use that certain portion of your brain that is otherwise not used. I kind of kind of prefer using it than not using it." Half Japanese currently includes Jad with John Sluggett, Gilles-Vincent Rieder, Mick Hobbs and Jason Willett, a veritable who's who of DIY indie culture. 'Jump Into Love' was recorded at Tempo House, Baltimore, Russian Recording, Bloomington Indiana, Studio de la Trappe, Donneville France and la Casamurada, Tarragona Spain. The album was mixed by long time Half Japanese sparring partner Jason Willett at his home in Baltimore, Maryland. "Amid hard-riff jams, swinging ditties, lovelorn ballads and other catchy gems, Jad persistently breathes life into the Half Japanese" NPR "One of indie rock's most reliable sources of positivity" Pitchfork

Voyager Gold Vinyl

On Jupiter, Brooklyn trio Upper Wilds voyage deeper into the cosmos, mapping out the overwhelming enormity of the universe in soaring hooks and blistering noise. The third installment in the trio"s exploration of our solar system looks to its largest planet for a daring exploration of scale and perspective. New York underground mainstay Dan Friel"s melodic gifts and wry lyricism are magnified and propelled ever outwards by the thundering rhythm section of bassist Jason Binnick and drummer Jeff Ottenbacher, all immersed in rippling fuzz. Just like its namesake, Jupiter stands as Upper Wilds most colossal offering in their catalog. The raw power of their music is amplified to titanic proportions, sky-clawing riffs invoking the sheer awe that the heavens inspire. More than any Upper Wilds album before it, Jupiter makes humanity"s endeavors in space exploration an inseparable part of its sonic DNA . Recorded with Travis Harrison at his studio Serious Business in Brooklyn (Guided By Voices, Dope Body, The Men), the trio"s live recordings are inspired by the Voyager Golden Record - a double LP launched with the 1977 Voyager probe spanning field recordings to compositions by J.S. Bach and Laurie Spiegel. While the Voyager Golden Record"s intended audience may have originally been the extra-terrestrial beings that might encounter the probe, Upper Wilds bring cosmos-seeking sounds back to earth with a record made for and about humanity. Jupiter finds comfort in space"s unending expanse. Far from feeling defeated by the smallness of our existence in the face of an uncaring universe and ever-expanding infinite, Upper Wilds capture the power of creativity to extend our lifespans far beyond our limited time on earth

Pelican and Thrill Jockey are proud to present a deluxe edition of the band"s acclaimed 2005 album The Fire In Our Throats Will Beckon The Thaw, newly remixed, remastered and featuring special bonus rarities including an early version of "Red Ran Amber," (previously only available on a split with MONO) and demos of "Autumn Into Summer," "Last Day of Winter" and "Sirius". The Fire In Our Throats established Pelican as indisputable masters of their craft. Pelican"s ability to alchemize their influences into a sound so wholly original and then expand on that sound into a work of captivating beauty remains a marvel. The album indelibly shifted the paradigm of heavy music and the ripples of that shift can be heard in the countless bands who have risen to prominence since its release. The genre-busting nature of the album"s melodicism and refined dynamics was a harbinger of things to come in a genre whose strict boundaries were rapidly being shattered; a fact recognized and cemented by the album"s critical reception, which engendered everything from an Album of the Year nod from Decibel, to pontifications about Pelican representing a rising wave of intellectualism in metal from the New York Times. Nearly two decades since the album"s release on Hydra Head Records, The Fire In Our Throats has stood as not just one of the band"s most celebrated releases, but as a watershed work of avant-metal. The album arrives with a fresh mix by its original engineer Greg Norman and mastering by Josh Bonati, imbibing the songs with a new ferocity while also granting increased clarity, highlighting the developing interplay between each member. The refreshed mix brings an additional punch to the rhythm section of bassist Bryan Herweg and drummer Larry Herweg, bolstering the brightened melodicism and interlocking riffing between guitarists Trevor Shelley de Brauw and Laurent Schroeder-Lebec. The more articulate presentation of the album showcases the power of each individual player while buttressing Pelican"s distinct sound as a unified force.

Pelican and Thrill Jockey are proud to present a deluxe edition of the band"s acclaimed 2005 album The Fire In Our Throats Will Beckon The Thaw, newly remixed, remastered and featuring special bonus rarities including an early version of "Red Ran Amber," (previously only available on a split with MONO) and demos of "Autumn Into Summer," "Last Day of Winter" and "Sirius". The Fire In Our Throats established Pelican as indisputable masters of their craft. Pelican"s ability to alchemize their influences into a sound so wholly original and then expand on that sound into a work of captivating beauty remains a marvel. The album indelibly shifted the paradigm of heavy music and the ripples of that shift can be heard in the countless bands who have risen to prominence since its release. The genre-busting nature of the album"s melodicism and refined dynamics was a harbinger of things to come in a genre whose strict boundaries were rapidly being shattered; a fact recognized and cemented by the album"s critical reception, which engendered everything from an Album of the Year nod from Decibel, to pontifications about Pelican representing a rising wave of intellectualism in metal from the New York Times. Nearly two decades since the album"s release on Hydra Head Records, The Fire In Our Throats has stood as not just one of the band"s most celebrated releases, but as a watershed work of avant-metal. The album arrives with a fresh mix by its original engineer Greg Norman and mastering by Josh Bonati, imbibing the songs with a new ferocity while also granting increased clarity, highlighting the developing interplay between each member. The refreshed mix brings an additional punch to the rhythm section of bassist Bryan Herweg and drummer Larry Herweg, bolstering the brightened melodicism and interlocking riffing between guitarists Trevor Shelley de Brauw and Laurent Schroeder-Lebec. The more articulate presentation of the album showcases the power of each individual player while buttressing Pelican"s distinct sound as a unified force.

DEICIDE aus Florida halten die Fahne des unerbittlichen, brutalen, bösen und satanischen Death Metal hoch. Das 11. Studioalbum der Band "In The Minds Of Evil" aus dem Jahr 2013 enthält 11 Tracks reiner und vollkommener musikalischer Blasphemie, produziert von Jason Suecof (Trivium, Death Angel, The Black Dahlia Murder, etc.). Es ist das gnadenlose Schlagzeugspiel, die herzzerreißenden Riffs, die kreischenden und doch melodischen Soli und der brummende Bass, der Dich auf den Boden nageln wird, während Mr. Benton dir ins Gesicht brüllt wie Neros wildester Löwe. "In The Minds Of Evil" ist nichts weniger als ein weiteres großartiges Beispiel für makellos ausgeführten unheiligen Death Metal von den Pionieren und Paten dieses Stils.

RAGE waren schon in den Achtzigern eine hart arbeitende Band, die sich aber erst finden musste. Auf Alben wie „Perfect Man“ (1988) und „Secrets In A Weird World“ (1989) konnte das Line-up aus Peavy Wagner (v./b.), Manni Schmidt (g.) und Chris Efthimiadis (dr.) sich stilistisch austoben, auf dem Nachfolgewerk „Reflections Of A Shadow“ (1990) gar unter Hinzunahme eines Keyboarders.
Anfang der Neunziger erhielt die Metal-Szene aber einen zeitgemäßeren, Riff- und Groove-betonteren Anstrich, der auch an den Hernern RAGE nicht vorbeiging. Diese Entwicklungen haben deutliche Spuren auf den beiden Werken „Trapped!“ und „The Missing Link“ hinterlassen. Auf diesen Longplayern konnte das Trio sich auch qualitativ nochmal steigern und lieferte zahlreiche Hits ab, die in den Folgejahren zum festen Bestandteil ihres Live-Sets wurden (u.a. 'Solitary Man', 'Enough Is Enough', 'Medicine', 'Firestorm', 'Refuge', 'Nevermore'). Die beiden Alben bescherten der Band nicht nur einen gehörigen Popularitätsschub, sondern gingen zurecht als RAGE-Klassiker in die Geschichte ein.

Nun erscheinen die beiden legendären Alben zum 30. Jubiläum als streng limitierte Sonderauflage inklusive Demoversionen sowie unveröffentlichter Titel. Für RAGE-Fans sind diese Neuauflagen natürlich unverzichtbar!

RAGE waren schon in den Achtzigern eine hart arbeitende Band, die sich aber erst finden musste. Auf Alben wie „Perfect Man“ (1988) und „Secrets In A Weird World“ (1989) konnte das Line-up aus Peavy Wagner (v./b.), Manni Schmidt (g.) und Chris Efthimiadis (dr.) sich stilistisch austoben, auf dem Nachfolgewerk „Reflections Of A Shadow“ (1990) gar unter Hinzunahme eines Keyboarders.
Anfang der Neunziger erhielt die Metal-Szene aber einen zeitgemäßeren, Riff- und Groove-betonteren Anstrich, der auch an den Hernern RAGE nicht vorbeiging. Diese Entwicklungen haben deutliche Spuren auf den beiden Werken „Trapped!“ und „The Missing Link“ hinterlassen. Auf diesen Longplayern konnte das Trio sich auch qualitativ nochmal steigern und lieferte zahlreiche Hits ab, die in den Folgejahren zum festen Bestandteil ihres Live-Sets wurden (u.a. 'Solitary Man', 'Enough Is Enough', 'Medicine', 'Firestorm', 'Refuge', 'Nevermore'). Die beiden Alben bescherten der Band nicht
nur einen gehörigen Popularitätsschub, sondern gingen zurecht als RAGE-Klassiker in die Geschichte ein.

Nun erscheinen die beiden legendären Alben zum 30. Jubiläum als streng limitierte Sonderauflage inklusive Demoversionen sowie unveröffentlichter Titel. Für RAGE-Fans sind diese Neuauflagen natürlich unverzichtbar!

OUTER HEAVEN return with their crushing new album, Infinite Psychic Depths! The album, an exploration into the darkest depths of extreme music, showcases OUTER HEAVEN's muscle, as the band churns out some of 2023's most visceral and frenetic slabs of twisted Death Metal. Taking advantage of guitarists Jonathan Kunz’s and Zak Carter’s penchant for technical prowess and rhythmic galloping with melodic catchiness, OUTER HEAVEN bridges the worlds of dark n’ dank despair and upbeat hookiness. Austin Haines' vocal delivery is as unchained as ever, barking and growling through interwoven stories of societal collapse, hallucinogens, mutations, and more, connecting Infinite Psychic Depths to their acclaimed debut, Realms of Eternal Decay. Methodological riffing swirls around muscular half-time clobbering in both “Soul Remnants” and “Unspeakable Aura". “Pillars of Dust” and “Liquified Mind” take the listener on a journey from the furthest reaches of the Earth’s exosphere to the sweat and spilled beer of a dive bar moshpit. “Fragmented Suspension” gives a backhand to the genre tunnel vision with a tendinitis-inducing palm muted shuffle that’s part Norwegian black metal iciness and part classic ‘80s L.A. hardcore skate punk. Recorded by Ryan Reed and mixed and mastered by Greg Wilkinson at Earhammer Studios, Infinite Psychic Depths throws a few tricks and guest appearances into the mix with bass playing by Derrick Vella from Tomb Mold, as well as vocal contributions from Pig Destroyer’s JR Hayes, Morbid Angel’s Steve Tucker and Alex Jones from Undeath. The new album also features a special appearance by Dave Suzuki (Churchburn, ex-Vital Remains) doing a trade-off solo on “Rotting Stone/D.M.T.”

Toxic Holocaust makes good on the threat to unleash the finest metal this side of the 21st century on their Relapse debut An Overdose of Death… An Overdose of Death… is an unstoppable juggernaut of infectious riffs, punk attitude and unforgettable anthems. If you call yourself a fan of metal, punk, or just kick ass rock, this record is nothing less your godsend.

Die in Bergen (Norwegen) ansässige Hardrock & Doom-Band Strange Horizon lässt sich von fünf Jahrzehnten Heavy-Musik inspirieren und klingt dabei weder modern noch retro. Prägnante Riffs und Melodien bestimmen die Songs auf 'Skur 14'. Ehrliche Musik für unehrliche Zeiten. Traditioneller Doom Metal, oder wie die Band es nennt, blytung (bleischwerer) skandinavischer Heavy Metal! Beeinflusst von Black Sabbath, Saint Vitus, Count Raven, der Maryland-Szene, dem Proto-Hardrock der 60er/70er Jahre sowie Blues und NWOBHM. Auf diesem Album ist Eirik Arntsen von Kryptograf als Drummer zu Gast. Es wurde von Odd Erlend Mikkelsen (ebenfalls Kryptograf) aufgenommen und gemischt.

Boris und Uniform mögen wie ein seltsames Gespann gewirkt haben, als sie sich 2019 für eine US-Tournee zusammentaten. Sicher, beide Bands nutzen die Kraft großer, explosiver Riffs, aber Boris' Rock-Heldentum, lysergische Ausbreitung und monolithischer Sludge beschwören eine andere Energie herauf als Uniforms mechanisierte Bombardements und rasende Angriffe. Als Boris jedoch Uniform einlud, als Teil ihrer Zugabe eine neu gestaltete Version ihres Klassikers „Akuma no Uta“ zu spielen, war die Chemie zwischen den Künstlern offensichtlich. Die Idee eines gemeinsamen Albums kam auf, und die Bands verbrachten das nächste Jahr damit, Songideen und Aufnahmen in ihren Heimstudios auszutauschen, bis Boris und Uniform ein Album hatten, das die furchtlose Erforschung und ungezügelte Kraft ihrer Live-Auftritte einfing. Sacred Bones Records ist stolz darauf, das gemeinsame Album Bright New Disease von Boris & Uniform zu präsentieren.

Bright New Disease beginnt mit der ersten Single „You're the Beginning“, einem wilden Thrash-Banger aus dem Boris-Lager. Von dort aus setzt das Album seinen unerbittlichen Angriff mit „Weaponized Grief“ fort, einem fiebrigen Mashup aus japanischem D-Beat und Boredoms' absichtlich unpassenden Klangtexturen. Es gibt keinen Moment, um die Trümmer zu sichten, bevor die Bands mit „No“ beginnen, einer bewussten Anspielung auf die japanische Hardcore-Hommage von Boris' 2020er Album NO. Entspannung kommt schließlich mit der eisigen Verstärkeranbetung von „The Look is a Flame", einem Song aus Boris' Feder, der Licht und Erlösung statt Düsternis und Grausamkeit beschwören soll. Verstärkt durch die kosmische Synthesizerarbeit von Randall Dunn und den ächzenden Bass von Steve Moore behält der Song das bedrohliche Timbre des Albums bei und deutet gleichzeitig die Möglichkeit der Erlösung an. Die Klangpalette des Albums wird in der zweiten Hälfte von Bright New Disease noch breiter, wie z. B. beim herausragenden Stück „Narcotic Shadow“. Mit Berdans modularen Synthesizer-Arpeggios, Boris' von Dark Wave/New Romantic inspiriertem Gesang und Greenbergs verzerrten Studiomanipulationen bietet der Song einen schäbigen und schwermütigen Kontrapunkt zu der ungezügelten Wut der ersten Hälfte des Albums. In ähnlicher Weise ist „A Man From the Earth“ weniger auf Katharsis als vielmehr auf eine düstere, tiefrote Interpretation von David Bowies Glam-Jahren fixiert. Aber diese Abweichungen dienen nur dazu, den Albumabschluss und die zweite Single „Not Surprised“ noch düsterer, qualvoller und erschütternder zu machen.

The Moiss Music label seems to like to drop their EPs two at a time. They did it in February and they're doing it again in May. This eighth outing collects four more lively disco cuts, each with their own subtle influences. Berobreo's 'White Rabbit' for instance has funky undertones with loopy guitar riffs and nice breaks. The Magic Track's 'Jamming With Mom' meanwhile is more sensuous and deep, with late-night synth work and seductive vocals. Oldchap's 'I Want To Show You' has an expressive soul vocal with more low-slung grooves and Alexny's 'Not Bad' then gets quick, clipped and loopy for its lip-pouting disco thrills.

Brutal Nature Redux is a continuation of Rhys Fulber’s “Brutal Nature” album and art concept, featuring remixes by carefully curated artists. Years of Denial’s take on “Rogue Minority” injects some emotion and humanity into the stark and aggressive original while preserving the driving bass riff and lifting it into the sound of a futuristic tribal gathering. Berlin’s Sarin is up next, leaning into the future EBM style he also shares with Fulber but amping up the intensity and apocalyptic dance floor elements of Central State Institute. Night Render is given a darker and more sinister sheen by up-and-coming Bulgarian producer, Evitceles. The nature elements of the original are replaced by a cinematic dystopia, akin to salvaging lost technology in a ruined city. Orphx add their rhythmic sophistication to “Stare at the Sun, tripping and refining the original down to its base elements while tuning Sara Taylor’s (Youth Code) screams across what appears to be several channels of short wave radio. Qual’s radical re-interpretation of “Pyrrhic Act” brings elements of Fulber’s past history in EBM right to the fore, creating a groove that’s both retro and very modern, slowing it down so the tension hangs heavier in the air. Lastly but certainly not least, Vanity Productions highlights the “nature” of “Fragility”, accentuating it with delicate clouds hanging in an air of contemplation; darkness and light coexisting in thick emotional textures. A fine way to close out this collection of cohesive individualism.

Shapes of Rhythm is proud to present the self-titled debut LP of Turkish psychedelic pop from MLDVA & Çınar Timur. This record is a celebration of the classic music and culture typically of the 70s and 80s, but which also leans into western jazz funk and soul jazz moments. If you're into the Turkish music legends of the 70s and 80s such as Barış Manço and more recently Altın Gün or Derya Yıldırım & Grup Şimşek, you've come to the right place.

MLDVA were formed in Krakow, Poland in 2013 as a DJ and production outfit. Under the influence of Greek and Turkish folk and psych-rock music they began to transform into a band, taking up instruments including the Saz which is one of the most recognisable trademarks of the Turkish sound. Two years later in 2015 they invited Turkish instrumentalist Çınar Timur to join them and this completes the line up on their debut. This electric album is packed with excellently-recorded expansive tracks which are full of energy, psychedelic deep grooves, hard-hitting breakbeats and everything else you'd expect with classic Turkish sounds.

The instrumental double-header of Neşat Erkaş' Zülüf Dökülmüş Yüze, moving into the time-honoured traditional Kozan Dağıis the perfect opening track. The introduction is an overture of sorts with two minutes of Çınar Timur's pondering guitar. This tees up the record perfectly before heading into a break-beat driven workout with the band matching Çınar's evocative and energetic riffing. The result is a tight sound and a heavy groove that sets the tone for what's to come.

With the band unveiled, Sarı Çizmeli Mehmet Ağa, written by Barış Manço (a legend in Turkish popular music), hits a relaxed, deeper and more psychedelic groove, dominated by Wojciech Długosz's dreamy Rhodes piano, set against choppy wah-wah guitar licks that characterize that classic electric Turkish pop sound. We're introduced to Ulaş Çıbuk's vocals for the first time, telling the historic tale of a charitable village lord Mehmet Ağa from 19c Anatolia known for his generosity. He shared his fortune with people inneed and as a result, died penniless. This track also features the unique sound of Çınar's Mictrotonal electric guitar.

Bir Adım Öte is MLDVA & Çınar Timur's magnificent mellow moment, marking the halfway point in their debut. The group shows that it's not all about the frenetic in a nod to western Soul-Jazz constructs. They showcase restraint, emotion and that joy in repetition of a wonderful guitar refrain. Not content with holding this down, Wojciech Długosz's Rhodes solo steps into a world that's US-influenced Soul jazzand is a lesson in reduction and feeling. Çınar Timur then takes a solo turn, keeping it western-influenced with an on the spot improvisation. When the three minutes of solos are over, we're brought back out of thedream and towards the East again.

Adımız Miskindir Bizim kicks off like a hip hop/funk crossover tune, until the chord changes muscle in, to remind you where you are in the world. As with other tracks on the debut, the tune is marked by recurring motifs, this time from Çınar's microtonal electric guitar. We've more solo Rhodes action, thist ime busier and more urgent. The lyrics–originally written by Yunus Emre – criticizevalues such as holding grudges that destroy ideas of love, friendship and peace among people which causes hostility. Adımız Miskindir Bizim concludes with an uplifting vocal vamp which switches it up unlike any of thetracks on the LP.

In Fesupanallah– made most popular by Erkin Koray – Ulaş Çıbuk sings about the simple subject ofbeing patient with never ending problems in life, and trying to find a solution for them. This cut takes a rhythmical side-step to the rest of the album. The kick drum maps out a solid four-four, but the vocals and guitar lines move around it to impose Fesupanallah as being the record's most traditionally Turkish-sounding cut.

The album's closing track Ölüm Allah'ın Emri (another Manço classic) was recorded live in the band's more familiar surroundings of Krakow's Cheder Cafe during 2020's Jewish Culture Festival. The lyrics tell the tale of someone who has accepted death but cannot accept the separation that comes with it. We open with a dreamy, psychedelic mood before progressing into a heavy-riffing rock feeling with probing synths. Ulaş delivers his vocals over the top of a stripped back, shuffling groove. As the track progresses towards a frenetic conclusion, drummer Szymon Piotrowski cuts loose, combining with Grzegorz Dąbek's synth lines.

MLDVA & Çınar Timur's debut LP is not the sound of a band starting out. Taking time to hone their craft and let influences across the global spectrum of music mature, this is the result of years of jamming, gigging and collaborating. Now, after prestigious festival appearances and their place on Saz Power – an essential modern Turkish music compilation – they're making a lasting contribution to a rich, time-honored culture. MLDVA & Çınar Timur releases Friday 30 June 2023 on limited edition vinyl LP and digital download/streaming services on Shapes of Rhythm. Global distribution by Kudos Records.