Bantering Ram
Beautiful, beautiful music. Both Joseph and Lachlan have their own styles and create distinct moods yet the album moves well in cohesion.
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Art As Catharsis is proud to announce the release of Eclipsing // Orbs – a split, instrumental record featuring progressive Australian guitarists Joseph Rabjohns (Kodiak Empire) and Lachlan R. Dale (Hashshashin).
For both Lachlan R. Dale and Joseph Rabjohns, Eclipsing // Orbs is rooted in the attempt to process loss and death, and the long journey from grief to acceptance. Musically, each pushes the boundaries of guitar instrumentalism, drawing from a variety of styles to conjure a cinematic journey that seeks to communicate the inner experiences of each musician.
Lachlan R. Dale is perhaps best known for his work in Hashshashin - an energetic fusion of progressive rock, polyrhythmic metal, and Eastern traditions. On his debut solo release, Lachlan takes a somewhat different approach, drawing inspiration from Persian and Indian classical music, and sifting them through a filter of ambience, minimalism and drone.
Lachlan cites drone-metal titan Dylan Carson (of Earth), Pandit Nikhil Banerjee and neo-classical composer Dustin O’Halloran as having informed his style, while others might pick-up hints of Year Of No Light’s blackened post-metal, the deep ambience of Rafael Anton Irisarri, or the meditative sonic explorations of High Aura’d. The resulting songs flow with gentleness, yet still maintain a snarl of distortion – Lachlan’s interests in heavier music stirring in the undercurrent. One a select few tracks, Peter Hollo (raven, Tangents) features, with Cameron Macdonald (Hashshashin, Five Star Prison Cell) and Susie Bishop (ex-Hinterlandt) appearing on one track each.
In contrast to Lachlan’s side of the record, Joseph shares deftness in his fingerpicking while often slipping into cleaner, more compartmentalised moments. Returning with frequent collaborator Zac Sacrewski (Milton Man Gogh) on double bass and Kieran Stevenson on ambient vocals, these four songs share Joseph’s love for math, prog and jazz in the form of neo-classical/folk arrangements. Some may detect similarities to the likes of Ben Monder and Pat Metheny, but again, Joseph’s work is in a class of its own.
Joseph’s side of the release was recorded and mixed by Cody McWaters with Jono Frowd assisting. Lachlan’s contribution was recorded and mixed by Tim Carr (We Lost The Sea, Mere Women, SEIMS) at One Flight Up. The record was mastered by Ron Pollard (Tangled Thoughts Of Leaving, Skullcave) at Studio Sleepwalker’s Dread.
Beyond this release, Joe and Lachlan intend on collaborating further. While COVID-19 restrictions hinder the chance of touring, the pair have shared intent on live performances in the future. Music wise, a collaborative album between the pair is also in the works – but for now, the warmth, space and texture of Eclipsing // Orbs will more than suffice.
credits
released November 26, 2021
Joseph Rabjohns - Eclipsing
For Julie & Robert Flynn, and Norman-George & Isabelle Rabjohns
Recorded by Cody McWaters at Hunting Ground Studios
‘Invoke’ recorded by Jono Frowd
Mixed by Cody McWaters at Hunting Ground
Mastered by Ron Pollard at Studio Sleepwalker’s Dread
Joseph Rabjohns: Guitar, ambient guitar effects/layers
Zac Sakrewski: Double bass
Kieran Stevenson: Vocals
Kat Hunter: Strings, Vocals
All strings arranged by Kat Hunter
Cody McWaters: Baritone guitar on track 5
Thanks to all who helped in the making of this release
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Lachlan R. Dale - Orbs
For Hennie Smith and Allan Dale
Recorded by Tim Carr at Adversary Studios and One Flight Up
Mixed by Tim Carr at One Flight Up
Mastered by Ron Pollard at Studio Sleepwalker's Dread
Artwork by Sam Harwood
Lachlan Dale: Guitar, loops
Peter Hollo: Cello on track 2, 3
Cameron Macdonald: Bass on track 2, 4
Susie Bishop: Violin on track 3
Lachlan R. Dale is a Sydney musician plumbing strange and unexpected sounds.
Inspired by the
free-flowing nature of Indian classical music, informed by doom, progressive metal and post-rock - Lachlan envelops audiences in a swirling mass of cinematic drone and psychedelia.
Lachlan also plays in Hashshashin, Black Aleph, and runs Art As Catharsis & Worlds Within Worlds....more
supported by 90 fans who also own “Eclipsing // Orbs”
I like the stylistic dialogue between this and Yamadori, which appear to me as an expansive study on contrasts, while Years Under Glass is like a subtle, nuanced etching examining harmony and balance, denser and more spiritually distinctive, and the album artwork captures that aptly. It's amazing how it plays with genre tropes, with an amount of this spontaneous, intuitive dynamics and rhythmic power most of the bands don't possess. Thank you for your art guys! Much love from Ukraine :) Terrence Falconer
supported by 88 fans who also own “Eclipsing // Orbs”
Brilliant record. I don’t usually listen to this style of music, but the album gripped me. It was intriguing while remaining accessible and heart-felt. Art as Cathasis really shares some amazing artists! ckokomo808
The aptly named Gloomseeker turn in a powerhouse new LP, full of bleak, haunting songs, echo-drenched vocals, and shadowy atmospheres. Bandcamp New & Notable Apr 10, 2021
supported by 88 fans who also own “Eclipsing // Orbs”
Boy-girl harmonies, deep fuzz stoner baselines, and cosmic anthems—Turtle Skull nails everything Black Mountain used to do before BM got that divorced dad sound. Josh Steichmann