The Haxan Cloak self titled debut album is barely believable.
Exploring mystic and occult audio space with cello, field recordings, violins, hand-made percussion and the human voice, this is barely conceivable as an artist’s first album. The depth and quality is tangible in every hair-raising moment, at every crescendo when one is left teetering above the abyss…
Combining elements of modern classical, film score and electronica with modern free-folk and even metal sensibilities, The Haxan Cloak is a truly diverse album.
‘Burning Torches Of Despair’ brings to mind a sedated Prurient trapped on a galleon, whereas ‘Fall’ and ‘Parting Chant’ have pathos of incredibly powerful modern Classical pieces, with stunning vocal performances from collaborator Mikhail Karikis.
‘The Growing’ shows a more modern, more digital side with it’s nod to modern electronic and even dubstep in it’s processed percussion, though culminating in unexpected grindcore blast beats courtesy of noted tattoo artist and drum maestro Liam Sparkes (Trencher). Additional visceral power was gained thanks to the mastering of Kris Lapke (long time cohort of NYC’s Hospital Productions, home of Prurient amongst others).
Simple classification is beyond impossible for this varied and majestic album. The Haxan Cloak simply is, was, and ever shall be.
Tracklisting:
01. Raven’s Lament
02. An Archaic Device
03. Burning Torches Of Despair
04. Disorder
05. Fall
06. The Growing
07. In Memoriam
08. Parting Chant
The album will be released via Aurora Borealis, who have organised a launch party on a boat in London (yes, you did read that correctly) on Thursday March 31st. More details will be forthcoming.
Meanwhile, Haxan Cloak will be supporting Wild Palms on the following dates:
Mar 2 – Fibbers, York
Mar 3 – Rough Trade East Instore – DJ SET ONLY
Mar 4 – King Tuts, Glasgow
Mar 5 – The Factory, Manchester
Mar 7 – Static Gallery, Liverpool
Mar 8 – The Cooler, Bristol
Mar 9 – Hare And Hounds, Birmingham
Mar 10 – Hoxton Square Bar, London – DJ SET ONLY
Mar 11 & 12 – The Green Door Store, Brighton
You can check out a remix Haxan Cloak did for Wild Palms on Soundcloud
The man behind the ‘cloak’ so to speak is a Sound Designer and Composer who has composed for installations at the V&A Gallery, Future Gallery and also created an original piece for The Rambert School of Dance. Other clients include Toyota, Sony Playstation, Google Chrome, Samsung, Vimeo and Swarovski. Pretty wide-ranging then!
