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Menhir Change Name to Farer; Debut Album Coming in 2020

Seems like maybe it’s the best case scenario imaginable when the work you’re doing changes who you are so much that you need to find a new collective identity to present it. Thus it is that Groningen, the Netherlands, trio Menhir have become Farer. The band formed in 2012 had two EPs to their credit under the now-former moniker, and the story goes that during the writing process for their first full-length they felt that the direction the material was taking warranted a shift in name. Sounds simple enough, right? I have to wonder though what that will actually translate to in terms of sound. You might recall Tartarus Records released their 2014 Uberlith II tape (discussed here) in an actual plaster brick, and its follow-up, 2016’s Hiding in Light, in a block of solid rubber. Good fun all around.

And more to come next year, it would seem, as Farer make their debut. Details are scant on that beyond the existence of such a thing, but here’s the announcement of the name change anyhow as per the PR wire, and a snippet posted on Farer‘s Bandcamp that proffers plenty of foreboding atmosphere:

farer (Photo by Niels Verwijk)

Doom/noise trio MENHIR finishes recording new record; changes name into Farer

The past two and a half years the Dutch doom/noise trio MENHIR spent most of their time writing new songs for the band’s debut full-length. The record, which is set to be released next year, is recorded, mixed and at the time of writing being mastered.

The band has chosen to go further using a new moniker: Farer. “Our new material is such a far cry from the stoner/sludge we started out with as MENHIR. It is a different beast now,” explains Frank, one of the bass players of the band. “We are still making heavy and compelling music, but doing it from a very different approach. The band has evolved into a different entity and needed a new banner. In a way, it marks the beginning of a new chapter”.

At the moment, the band can’t give away too many details. “However, what you can expect are drawn-out, oppressive and compelling songs. Like we mentioned before, as far as style, atmosphere, and composition one can talk of a definite style change. We went so much further.

We worked together with photographer/artist Niels Verwijk again as well, who made beautiful original work for the album”, says Frank. The band has worked with Verwijk before on the video for Hiding in Light, of the sophomore EP, and he has produced work for acts such as Monnik, BARST and Ortega. Frank continues; “Niels has an extraordinary relationship with the dark. His material is cutting and grating. A perfect match”

The release is planned for 2020. In the meantime Farer will play new material in a couple of venues across The Netherlands. The first show will be in club for the international underground, Vera on December the 21st. Also on the bill that night are conceptual black metal band Grey Aura.

https://www.facebook.com/farer.band/
https://www.instagram.com/farer_band/
https://farer.bandcamp.com/

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