SEIMS "FOUR"

Country: Australia
Genre(s): Progressive Rock, Math Rock, Post Rock
Label: Art As Catharsis Records, Bird’s Robe Records, Dunk Records
Format: CD, digital, vinyl 
Release date: October 22, 2021
Tracklist

1. The Mountain’s Lullaby

2. The Pursuit of Intermediate Happiness

3. Showdown Without A Victim

4. Shouting At A Brick Wall

5. Stranded. Isolated.

6. Elegance Over Confidence  

7. Biting Tongues

8. Nuance Lost In Translation

9. Understatement

10. The Mountain’s Scream

Line-up

Simeon Bartholomew - Basses, Guitars, Synths, Piano, Vocals

Chris Allison (Plini) - Drums, Percussion

Kat Hunter - Vocals, Violin Solo (4)

Susie Bishop - Violin, Violin Solo (7)

Monique Mezzatesta - Violas

Peter Hollo - Cellos

Thomas Botting - Double Basses

Paul Murchison - Flugelhorns, Trombone, Trumpet

Paul Meo - Trumpet

Victor Valdes - Harp

Description/Reviews:

The new record showcases the band’s delicately crafted arrangements on tracks including the beguiling 65daysofstatic ‘Wild Light’ era tinged post-math-rock of Elegance Over Confidence, the soaring modern post-rock of The Mountain’s Scream and the dark ‘Stranger Things’ evoking electro-prog of Showdown Without A Victim.

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Voronoi "The Last Three Seconds"

Country: UK
Genre(s): Jazz-Rock, Fusion
Label: Art as Catharsis, Small Pond
Format: CD, digital, vinyl
Release date: May 5, 2021
Tracklist

1. Interstellar Something (3:33) 

2. Gamma Signals (3:11) 

3. The Nauseator (10:12) 

4. Robots As Pathos / Robots As Menace (3:12) 

5. Darker The Night (4:33) 

6. The Last Three Seconds (5:19) 

7. The Outsider And The Priest (12:27) 

8. Home Could Be Lightyears Away (6:24) 

Total Time 48:51

Line-up

Aleks Podraza - Keyboards

Sam Quintana - Bass

Tom Higham - Drums

   With

Calvin Travers - Guitar (8)

Anna Chandler - Alto Saxophone (8)

Description/Reviews:

A totally unique record, The Last Three Seconds is definitely jazz with a heavier persuasion rather than progressive metal with jazz elements. The neoclassical foundations are sublime, the heavier sentiments are spot on and the overall feel from VORONOI on this album is smooth and consistent. To summarise, The Last Three Seconds is beautiful, expressive, textured playing with a generous helping of mind melding rhythms and emotive sonic-storytelling that weaves together a rich and rewarding listen. This is a masterful effort that is truly exceptional for a debut record.

Read the full review by Laura McCarthy at distortedsoundmag.com

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Arcing Wires "Prime"

Country: Australia
Genre(s): Instrumental Progressive Jazz Rock/Metal, Fusion
Label: Art As Catharsis
Format: CD, digital
Release date: November 6, 2020
Tracklist

1. The Lizard (5:37) 

2. Catacaustic (5:43) 

3. Blue Steel (6:45) 

4. Arc9 (6:50) 

5. Eniargim (5:17) 

6. Merits (2:01) 

7. Serotonin (7:22) 

8. Bobbin Head (5:05) 

Total Time 44:40

Line-up

Nick Henderson – Electric Bass, Synths, Piano

Yutaro Okuda – Electric Guitars, Electric Baritone Guitar

Felix Lalanne – Electric Guitars, Acoustic Guitar

Alex Hirlian – Drums, SPDX

Nish Manjunath – Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet, FX, Synths, Piano

   With

Steph Russell – Vocal (2)

Matt Thomson – Keyboards, Synths (8)

Description/Reviews:

Adding a saxophone to the standard rock line-up of two guitars, drums and bass is of course nothing new. German legends of Panzerballett come to mind immediately and the comparison isn’t too far fetched if you listen to the opening triple of the singles ‘The Lizard’, ‘Catacaustic’ and ‘Blue Steel’. However, towards the end of ‘Blue Steel’, the five Aussies seem to free themselves of these all too obvious similarities and find more of a ‘voice’ that is entirely their own,  albeit almost entirely an instrumental one. 

Read the full review by Dario at theprogspace.com

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Hashshashin "Badakhshan"

Country: Australia
Genre(s): Instrumental Progressive/Folk/Math Rock
Label: Art As Catharsis
Format: CD, digital
Release date: September 27, 2019
Tracklist: 
1. Qom
2. Crossing The Panj
3. Death In Langar
4. Shrines Of The Wakhan
5. Sarhadd
6. The Taklamakan
7. Then He Hid Himself In The Refining Fire

Line-up: 
Evan McGregor: drums, percussion, Moroccan krakebs, frame drum, harmonium and didgeridoo
Lachlan R. Dale: guitars, Irish bouzouki, Persian setar, Pamiri setor and Afghan rabab
Cameron Macdonald: bass
   With
Natalya Bing: Violin (2, 3, 5, 6)

Description/Reviews: 

Here Hashshashin draw fresh influence from Middle Eastern musical traditions while exploring progressive atmospherics and psychedelia. These new elements are fused with the band’s progressive approach to composition and penchant for trance-inducing drone. 

Media/Samples 
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Helu "Varisema"

Country: Australia
Genre(s): Instrumental Post/Progressive Rock
Label: Art As Catharsis
Format: digital
Release date: September 19, 2019
Tracklist: 
1. Varisema (35:02)

Line-up: 
Evan McGregor : Drums
David Sattout : Guitar
Josh Ahearn : Bass

Description/Reviews: 

Unbridled, shapeshifting and hauntingly meditative, Varisema simmers with curiosity – begging the listener to ask ‘what comes next?’ as each instrument coils into new, unexpected shapes. The polish and finesse within the album mimics the talent levels of HELU's influences – bands such as Schnellertollermeier, Tortoise, Battles and The Necks – but given the instrumentation on Varisema, HELU establish themselves as a formidable instrumental act within their own right.
Varisema is, in many ways, a dedication to atmospherics. From the beginning of the track, a sense of quiet, darkness and a feeling of gentle lostness envelops the listener, generated by careful but precise bass and drum works. Each chord from Sattout’s guitar washes over the instrumentals with a wave of reverb, both setting a scene of tranquility while tightly wrapping the body of the song together. The further the track progresses, the more ambitious it becomes. Pinch harmonics and off-kilter riffworks dance between ethereal and ominous, playful and dark. The counterbalance and variety of elements ensures that every passing minute of the track becomes more engaging, more powerful and above all - more worthy of your attention as it progresses.

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Alarmist "Sequesterer"

Country: Ireland
Genre(s): Instrumental Math Rock, Fusion, Progressive Rock
Label: Small Pond Recordings, Art As Catharsis 
Format: CD, digital, vinyl
Release date: July 19, 2019
Tracklist: 
1. District Of Baddies
2. Boyfriend In The Sky
3. Lactic Tang
4. Life In Half Time
5. Helical
6. Expert Hygiene
7. Kalite Quest
8. Bronntanasaurus
9. Nvymr

Line-up: 
Neil Crowley
Elis Czerniak
Barry O’Halpin
   With
Osgar Dukes - Drums (1, 3)

Description/Reviews: 

The trio... draws upon backgrounds in post-rock, electronic, jazz and contemporary chamber music – foundations on which they build with an ever-increasing sense of freedom and adventure. Embracing the collision of frenetic percussion, clanging guitars and vaporous synths, they absorb faded relics of retro-futurism and bygone musical eras into their own new and twistingly melodic musical language.

Media/Samples 
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Alarmist "Sequesterer"

Country: Ireland
Genre(s): Instrumental Math Rock, Fusion, Progressive Rock
Label: Small Pond Recordings, Art As Catharsis 
Format: CD, digital, vinyl
Release date: July 19, 2019
Tracklist: 
1. District Of Baddies
2. Boyfriend In The Sky
3. Lactic Tang
4. Life In Half Time
5. Helical
6. Expert Hygiene
7. Kalite Quest
8. Bronntanasaurus
9. Nvymr

Line-up: 
Neil Crowley
Elis Czerniak
Barry O’Halpin
   With
Osgar Dukes - Drums (1, 3)

Description/Reviews: 

The trio... draws upon backgrounds in post-rock, electronic, jazz and contemporary chamber music – foundations on which they build with an ever-increasing sense of freedom and adventure. Embracing the collision of frenetic percussion, clanging guitars and vaporous synths, they absorb faded relics of retro-futurism and bygone musical eras into their own new and twistingly melodic musical language.

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

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Milton Man Gogh "How To Be Big & Small (At The Same Time)"

Country: Australia
Genre(s): Jazz-Rock, Fusion
Label: Art As Catharsis
Format: CD, digital
Release date: June 21, 2019
Tracklist: 
1. Licenseless   
2. 31 (Not Required)   
3. As It Happens   
4. 934: The Code For Happy Gas   
5. How To Be Big & Small (At The Same Time)   
6. Service 80   
7. Lockjaw   
8. TV Was Better When I Was Younger    
9. Curriculum Veto (JNK In The TRNK)   
10. Small Town Hero

Line-up: 
Andrew Saragossi - Tenor Saxophone
Zac Sakrewski - Upright Bass, Effects
Benjamin Shannon - Drums
   With
Kristin Berardi – Voice (5, 10)
Toby Wren – Guitar (5, 8)

Media/Samples 
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Milton Man Gogh "How To Be Big & Small (At The Same Time)"

Country: Australia
Genre(s): Jazz-Rock, Fusion
Label: Art As Catharsis
Format: CD, digital
Release date: June 21, 2019
Tracklist: 
1. Licenseless   
2. 31 (Not Required)   
3. As It Happens   
4. 934: The Code For Happy Gas   
5. How To Be Big & Small (At The Same Time)   
6. Service 80   
7. Lockjaw   
8. TV Was Better When I Was Younger    
9. Curriculum Veto (JNK In The TRNK)   
10. Small Town Hero

Line-up: 
Andrew Saragossi - Tenor Saxophone
Zac Sakrewski - Upright Bass, Effects
Benjamin Shannon - Drums
   With
Kristin Berardi – Voice (5, 10)
Toby Wren – Guitar (5, 8)

Media/Samples 
Bandcamp

Links:
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Lisathe "Lisathe"

Country: Australia
Genre(s): Instrumental Post Rock, Jazz, Classical
Label: Art As Catharsis
Format: CD, digital
Release date: May 24, 2019 (digital), July 10, 2019 (CD)
Tracklist: 
1. Pagan Poetry (5:48)
2. Melodia (i) (3:38)
3. Dreaming (9:00)
4. Melodia (ii) (2:36)
5. Fragments (3:57)
6. The Sun’s Gone Dim And The Sky’s Turned Black (4:55)
7. London Út (4:45)
8. Melodia (iii) (2:02)
9. White Sun (5:14)

Total Time 41:55

Line-up: 
Brendan Clark - Bass
Oliver Thorpe - Guitar
Miles Thomas - Drums

Description/Reviews: 

At the moment, I’m most invested in a trend of “post-” post-rock, a movement seemingly led primarily by phenomenal Australian label Art As Catharsis. Their roster is stacked with some of the most exciting bands toying with the core tenets of post-rock, incorporating elements of math rock, jazz, modern classical, prog and more to create a fresh, unique sound. ... The trio’s new self-titled album is one of the most unique contemporary releases at the intersection of these styles. ... The trio channels a traditional “rock” lineup (bass, drums, guitar) through an array of lenses, ranging from jazzy and bluesy guitar licks à la Bill Frisell and Loren Connors to ambient, quasi-folk passages to lush, cinematic soundscapes. This synthesis is both intriguing and accessible, defined by a balance of modern and classic styles for a timeless, sonically rich result.

Read the full review by Scott Murphy at heavyblogisheavy.com

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Hashshashin "nihsahshsaH"

Country: Australia
Genre(s): Math Rock, Progressive Rock, Psychedelic
Label: Art As Catharsis
Format: digital
Release date: October 11, 2016
Tracklist: 
1. Prostration (03:10)
2. The Ascetic (03:18)
3. Immolation (05:46)
4. Ascension (04:08)
5. Levitation (09:32)
6. Disintegration (03:38)
7. Moksha (05:11)
8. Derge (03:54)
9. Rebirth (04:43)

Line-up: 
Evan McGregor - drums, percussion, didgeridoo
Cameron MacDonald - bass
Lachlan R. Dale - bouzouki, guitar, field recordings
   With
Natalya Bing - violin (1, 3, 4, 7)

Description/Reviews: 

The Sydney trio Hashshashin blend meditative eastern sounds with drone, prog and psychedelia.

nihsahshsaH is inspired by the mystics of past and present, who fled their homes and walked out into the desert in search of something to soothe the roar of their broken minds.

The sounds bring to mind scorched desert sands, the sweet scent of hashish, and the infinite blue of the sheltering sky.

Media/Samples 
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Kurushimi "Kurushimi"

Country: Australia
Genre(s): Avant Prog, Jazz
Label: Art As Catharsis
Format: digital
Release date: February 16, 2016
Tracklist: 
1. Kamaitachi (4:38)
2. Shinigami (9:24)
3. Kimon (16:55)
4. Dodomeki (0:18)
5. Amanojaku (10:32)
6. In A Grove (13:34)
7. Onmoraki (8:32)
8. Amanozako (9:25)
9. Jorogumo (6:25)

Total time 79:43

Line-up: 
Andrew Mortensen - bass, turntable, conductor
Simon Dawes - guitar
Chris Allison - drums
Kim Lawson - alto & tenor saxophone
James Ryan - tenor & baritone saxophone, flute
Lachlan Kerr - conductor

Description/Reviews: 

This heavily improvised release pushes the boundaries of deconstructionist noise-jazz with departures into doom, grindcore, prog, dub and hip hop. The result is something like the unholy congress of Ornette Coleman, Morbid Angel, Bill Laswell, John Zorn and Bohren & Der Club Of Gore.

Media/Samples 
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Facemeat "Questions For Men"

Country: Australia
Genre(s): Avant Prog, Jazz-Rock
Label: Art As Catharsis
Format: CD, digital
Release date: September 1, 2015
Tracklist: 
1. Compliments To Your Band (4:55)
2. My Wife and Children (3:52)
3. Dude Disco (5:13)
4. Your Special Day (6:54)
5. Questions For Men (2:24)
6. Seven Days (5:57)
7. Hanging From A Line (7:44)
8. In Time (4:34)
9. I Shouldn't Have Killed You (4:09)
10. Keller (6:16)
11. Need You To Not (5:31)
12. Seven (2:04)
13. Big Noight Blues (2:21)

Total Time: 61:44

Line-up: 
Dave Sattout - guitars
Adam Moses - vocals
Ruth Wells - tenor & soprano sax, vocals  (8)
Ellen Kirkwood - trumpet, backing vocals  (8)
Josh Ahearn - bass
Miles Thomas - drums
Byron Mark - piano & keys
    With
Ian Pieterse - baritone sax (4, 10)
Damian De Boos-Smith - cello  (8)

Description/Reviews: 

It’s a twisted, unsettling, tour-de-force that certainly deserves to break out from Australian shores to get some world-wide acclaim. Yes, there is a big Zappa/Zoyd influence but the 13 tracks on this record are as fresh and original sounding as anything. It’s a record that makes you excited, that shakes you by the shoulders, that slaps you on the mush and shouts: ”WAKE UP! THERE’S AN AUSSIE JAZZ-ROCK COMBO FALLING OUT OF YOUR SPEAKERS”

Read the full review at echoesanddust.com

Media/Samples 
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We Lost the Sea "Departure Songs"

Country: Australia
Genre(s): Instrumental Post Rock, Ambient
Label: Bird's Robe Records, Art As Catharsis
Format: CD, digital, vinyl
Release date: July 23, 2015
Tracklist: 
1. A Gallant Gentleman (6:04)
2. Bogatyri (11:40)
3. The Last Dive Of David Shaw (16:56)
4. Challenger Part 1 - Flight (23:46)
5. Challenger Part 2 - A Swan Song (8:47)

Total time 67:13

Line-up: 
Mark Owen – Guitars
Matt Harvey – Guitars
Brendon Warner – Guitars
Kieran Elliott – Bass
Mathew Kelly – Piano, Keyboards
Nathaniel D’Ugo - Drums
   With
Tim Mahony - Cello (3-5)
Ellen Kirkwood - Trumpet (4, 5)
Mercy College girls high school choir (1)
Choir members:
Teachers: Kathryn McGreal & Matthew Robertson
Choir: Amelia Berthold, Caillin Betts, Elizabeth Daniels, Vanessa Daniels, Aisha Herbert, Kiara Herbert, Lizzy Jackson, Grace Johnston, Rheanne Lamont Funtanilla, Nancy Li, Sam Miley, Emma Morton, Mary Neis, Marianne Pamilar, Carmel Rodrigues, Ishuveen Saini, Isabella Sharpe, Rhea Thomas, Stephanie Woo


Description/Reviews: 

The uncanny atmosphere of these tales is very well conveyed in the music on “Departure Songs”. The tracks are often built up out of a succession of expressive melodies, each of which take several minutes to develop and play out. With these melodies, We Lost the Sea are able to set a telling atmosphere; a brooding and slightly dissonant mood, that is similar to the music of Beware of Safety, Sleepstream and (the newer) Mono. The music on “Departure Songs” is traditional post-rock, but again the record is challenging in the sense that while talking about dangerous travels, We Lost the Sea venture into some uncertain territory as well.

Read the full review at arcticdrones.com 

Media/Samples 
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Killsong "He Is Risen"

Country: Australia
Sub Genre: Avant Prog
Label: Art As Catharsis Records
Release date: June 1, 2013
Tracklist: 
1. Dear Anthony (8:14)
2. Pissflaps' Magic Medicine (10:08)
3. Is That You Mr Roebuck? (9:32)
4. Hotdogs (8:38)
5. He Is Risen (Slight Return) (4:27)

Line-up: 
Dano - vox/violin
Pissy - sax/clarinet
Angry - guitar
Lampy - bass
Lonnie - drums

Description/Reviews: 

Killsong’s work is a myriad of styles, ranging from metal to rock, rock to funk and funk to poetry. These styles are well and truly mixed well together. The vocalist, a man by the name of Dano (the members have names that sound like cousins of the seven dwarfs, such as Pissy or Lampy), does his job well, from manic screams to heart felt poetry of epic proportions. 

Read the full review at meltingalbumreviews.com

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