VIPASSI laid the groundwork for their mind-bending instrumental passages back in 2017, when they debuted Śūnyatā. The Australian quartet built on that solidly progressive foundation last month with the release of “Phainesthai”, the first single and keystone of their new album Lightless.
Today, the band are handing us another key. “Labyrinthine Hex” weaves a maze of intricate melodies and rhythmic complexities into a symphony of emotions.
The accompanying studio playthrough reveals not only the technical virtuosity of each member but also their telepathic chemistry. Watching the way they play off each other, it’s no wonder that Vipassi can spin epic stories without uttering a word.
Watch the video for “Labyrinthine Hex”:
https://youtu.be/57YmrVajeGU
Lightless comes out 26 January, 2024.
Pre-order: https://shop.season-of-mist.com/list/vipassi-lightless
Tracklist
1. Lightless (5:07) 2. Labyrinthine Hex (7:11)
3. Morningstar (6:57)
4. Shapshu (4:23)
5. Phainesthai (5:49) [WATCH]
6. Ruination Glow (6:05)
7. Neon Rain (3:59)
8. Promethea (10:42)
Totalruntime: 50:13
In Buddhist tradition, VIPASSI is the twenty-second of the twenty-eight Buddhas. Etymologically, the name has its roots in clear vision – a being of extreme contemplation. The band of the same name is a world-spnning instrumental extreme metal band from the lands of Australia, France and the UK.
With members of acts such as Ne Obliviscaris, Black Lava, Hadal Maw & Virvum, their work on the 2017 debut album ‘Sunyata’, which has a loose signification of Emptiness or Void, set the grounds for a technically impressive and fully instrumental exploration of sonic textures in what can best be described as – a divine experience reaching the depths of the human soul.
Originally made as a project between Daniel Presland (Drums) and Ben Boyle (Guitars) as far back as 2007 to explore new concepts and sounds not currently engaged by their projects at the time, the band has since then grown and expanded to an international connection of like-minded musicians and virtuosos with Arran McSporran (Fretless Bass) and Benjamin Baret (Guitars).
Further exploring their labyrinthine textures and layers of sounds, the band VIPASSI is back with their sophomore album ‘Lightless’. The album shifts from the realm of the void towards a clash of light and dark – and sees the band expanding into even more technical and experimental realms, pushing the limits of their own ideas and abilities to heights unimagined when the band began all those years ago.
Lineup
Daniel Presland – Drums
Ben Boyle – Guitars & Synths
Arran McSporran – Fretless Bass
Benjamin Baret – Guitar Solos
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