On Sept. 27, the fourth full-length from Mars Red Sky, titled The Task Eternal, will be released through Listenable Records. The label has been their home since their second long-player, 2014’s Stranded in Arcadia (review here), which followed their 2011 self-titled debut (review here) and set the band on a road of progression that The Task Eternal seems only to continue. In answering back the expansive forward steps of 2016’s Apex III (Praise for the Burning Soul) (review here), the new album retains the Bordeaux-based trio’s penchant for songwriting that’s been so central to their purposes since the start, while drifting even further into otherworldly and psychedelic expanses. It is a colorful swirl throughout The Task Eternal, and I won’t tell you how to listen to it, but as much fun as it might be to get lost in the experience, there’s a good chance you’ll retain more than you think afterward, whether that’s from the fading lines of opener “The Proving Grounds” or the hooks of tracks like the marching “Hollow King” or “Collector.”
The latter also serves as the title-track of a newly issued EP intended as a lead-in for the LP to come. Collector bundles two versions of itself with two versions of “Soldier On,” also the penultimate cut on The Task Eternal, including a demo with guitarist/vocalist Julien Pras as a multi-instrumentalist, and a guest appearance from Igor Sidorenko of Stoned Jesus, the album versions, etc. It’s a welcome piece perhaps aimed at the people who might fit the description of its title, but most importantly, it introduces the listener to the atmosphere that The Task Eternal broadens in songs like “Recast” and “Reacts,” “Crazy Hearth” and even the instrumental closer “A Far Cry,” which, when it’s done, just might be where you feel like you are in relation to from where you started. All told, the album is 49 minutes across eight songs that is unmistakably the work of Mars Red Sky — Pras, bassist/vocalist Jimmy Kinast, drummer Matieu “Matgaz” Gazeau — and yet works to further the reach of that very definition. Like what’s come before it, it is the output of a constantly-refining creative unfolding.
At some point before the release date, I’ll put up a review, which I guess will probably just say that in wordier fashion, but among the topics I wanted to discuss with Pras and Kinast in this interview was the notion of The Task Eternal being the band’s creativity itself: that constant hunt for an ideal vision that’s a moving target from release to release as the band develops. In addition to that, the fact of Mars Red Sky‘s heavy touring and upcoming Fall European run (including shows with Kadavar) had me wondering if they might make it back to the US anytime soon — you might recall they were here in 2016 to play Psycho Las Vegas and made a stop at The Obelisk All-Dayer in Brooklyn beforehand (video here). They let it drop that they’ve got some stuff in the works, and indeed talked about the process of working with a different recording engineer each time out in an effort to capture different sounds, and how the change itself is a part of chasing that ideal. We also spent a good amount of time talking about the castle where they jammed, finished writing and started recording The Task Eternal, which, really, had to be done, when you think about it.
Welcome to the next era of Mars Red Sky. With the coming release of the Collector EP, which will have a limited cassette pressing of 300 copies available at Hellfest on June 19 — and hopefully on the interwebs afterwards if there are leftovers — the Bordeaux, France, heavy psych rock three-piece begin the march toward their fourth album, The Task Eternal. That full-length will be out Sept. 27 on Listenable Records, and a preview EP is standard practice for Mars Red Sky going back to 2013’s Be My Guide EP (review here) which followed their 2011 self-titled debut (review here) and preceded 2014’s Stranded in Arcadia (review here). Likewise, before they issued Apex III (Praise for the Burning Soul) (review here) in 2016, they offered up the Providence EP (review here), and if you want to go all the way back, they had a 7″ single out before the first record as well. So yes, bouncing between shorter and longer offerings is very much in-character for Mars Red Sky.
Today marks the premiere of “Collector,” the title-track and single from the EP, and the video below, and it finds the three-piece of guitarist/vocalist Julien Pras, bassist/sometimes vocalist Jimmy Kinast and drummer Matieu “Matgaz” Gazeau locked as ever into an irresistible rolling groove, filled out as much through low-end tonality in the guitar and bass as by Pras‘ echoing, floating melodic vocals over top. This dichotomy has been at the heart of Mars Red Sky since their outset — it’s essential to what they do — but over time they’ve grown more complex as well, as the 2017 17-minute instrumental single Myramid (discussed here) demonstrated and as one can hear in a fluid thread of progression across all their releases. At just over four minutes long, “Collector” itself is of a more straight-ahead verse/chorus style, but even in its depth of melody and the feeling of space conjured by the recording, one can hear Mars Red Sky moving past even the accomplishments of their last LP and toward those of The Task Eternal.
On the EP, “Collector” appears twice — the other version featuring a solo from Stoned Jesus‘ Igor Sidorenko — and comes complemented on each side by “Soldier On,” a longer and more lumbering cut with an expansive hook and a hypnotic break in its midsection held together by Gazeau on drums as the guitar builds dramatically back toward the plodding verse and the even-bigger-sounding finish. It is hard to know ultimately how much the material on Collector — the second version of “Soldier On” is a demo — will represent what’s to come on The Task Eternal. With Providence, Mars Red Sky essentially set the atmosphere of Apex III (Praise for the Burning Soul). That may be what’s happening again, or it could be something else entirely. The story at this point is just starting to be told.
You can see the premiere of the “Collector” video below, with live footage of the band spliced in with archival clips of people playing some kind of competitive frisbee game and a surprising amount of American iconography, culminating in a kind of cannon shooting out hamburgers, hot dogs, baseballs, televisions and cars. Fair enough for a song about someone collecting souls — my country rarely comes into unearned criticism — but one has to wonder as well if Mars Red Sky are taking a more direct and socially-conscious stance going into the LP. Or it could just be a one-off. Again, won’t know till we get there. But it’s fun to speculate.
Video is by Sebastien Antoine with live footage from Paris filmed by Rod Maurice. The music was recorded and mixed by Benjamin Mandeau at Studio Cryogene in Bègles, France, just south of Bordeaux proper and on the banks of the River Garonne, and mastered by Pierre Etchandy.
PR wire info, comment from the band and copious tour dates follow.
Enjoy:
Mars Red Sky, “Collector” official video premiere
French heavy psychedelic masters MARS RED SKY release their new digital single entitled ‘Collector’ today! The song is taken from their upcoming fourth album ‘The Task Eternal’, due for release this year on September 27th on Listenable Records.
The band comments: “Collector is quite a straightforward track that may recall the ‘Mindreader’ vibe from our previous album ‘Apex III (Praise for the burning soul)’ in its structure and delivery. Lyrics deal with a soul collector, an evil being who announces his return to the city with the intention of terrorizing the population.”
The single is taken from new album ‘The Task Eternal’ due out September 27th on Listenable Records. The limited edition ‘Collector’ cassette EP will also present an exclusive version of the song with Stoned Jesus frontman Igor Sydorenko on guitar solo, as well as two special renditions of ‘Soldier On’ (also appearing on the album). With a total of four tracks, the ‘Collector’ EP is a perfect taster and yet another highly collectible item for any MARS RED SKY fan.
Available from June 19th, the ‘Collector’ cassette EP will be limited to 300 copies and exclusively available from MRS Red Sound web store, Listenable booth at Hellfest Metal Market and on all upcoming shows. It will also see a digital release via Mars Red Sky’s Bandcamp and Mad Reed Studio Bandcamp.
New single Collector available on all streaming platforms now
TRACK LISTING: Side A 1. Collector 2. Soldier On #A Side B 1. Collector (feat. Igor Sydorenko) 2. Soldier On (demo version)
All tracks on the EP were recorded and mixed by Benjamin Mandeau at Cryogene Studio, except for “Soldier On (Demo)” which was performed, recorded and mixed by Julien Pras at Mad Reed Studio. Artwork designed by Carlos Olmo. MARS RED SKY also announce a series of live shows in support of new album ‘The Task Eternal’, to be continued in 2020 and beyond:
08.06.19 MONTAIGU (FR) Crumble Fest 15.06.19 PORT SAINT LOUIS DU RHONE (13) Camargue Sessions 18.07.19 BILBAO (SP) Kafe Antzokia 19.07.19 BRAGA (PT) Rodellus Festival 03.08.19 CHEVANCEAUX (17) Laryrock 10.08.19 BAGNES (CH) Rocklette Palp festival 16.08.19 SAINT-NOLFF (FR) Motocultor Festival 27.09.19 ANGOULEME (FR) La Nef 11.10.10 BELFORT (FR) La Poudrière 12.10.19 STRASBOURG (FR) La Laiterie 17.10.19 SAINT BRIEUC (FR) Carnavalorock 25.10.19 VENDOME (FR) Les Rockomotives 26.10.19 GRENOBLE (FR) L’Ampérage 27.10.19 MONTHEY (CH) Pont Rouge 29.10.19 ZÜRICH (CH) Rote Fabrik 30.10.19 BRUSSEL (BE) Les Halles 31.10.19 DIKSMUIDE (BE) 4AD 01.11.19 COLOGNE (DE) Helios 37 02.11.19 AMSTERDAM (NL) Melkweg 03.11.19 WIESBADEN (DE) Schlachthof 04.11.19 MUNICH (DE) Feierwerk 05.11.19 VIENNA (AT) Arena 06.11.19 LEIPZIG (DE) Werk2 07.11.19 BERLIN (DE) Cassiopeia 08.11.19 HAMBURG (DE) Hafenklang 09.11.19 KRAKOW (PL) Soulstone Gathering 20.11.19 CLERMONT-FERRAND (FR) La Coopérative de Mai 14.12.19 MONTPELLIER (FR) Black Sheep 04.03.20 PARIS (FR) La Maroquinerie 05.03.20 TOURS (FR) Le Temps Machine 06.03.20 TOULOUSE (FR) Le Metronum 13.03.20 DIJON (FR) La Vapeur 14.03.20 ORLEANS (FR) L’Astrolabe 28.03.20 GERARDMER (FR) Maison de la Culture
Posted in Whathaveyou on June 6th, 2019 by JJ Koczan
Last time they checked in Bordeaux, France, heavy psych exports Mars Red Sky were announcing the Sept. 27 release of their fourth album, The Task Eternal. That was over a month ago and it’s been pretty quiet from them since then, at least as far as the PR wire is concerned, but in addition to a few dates this month, the three-piece have newly unveiled tour plans for this Fall that will find them back on the road throughout October and into November following the album’s release.
They were due to unveil a new song at the end of last month, and an EP, Collector, was said to be coming June 14 through their own Mars Red Sound imprint. I’d imagine that’s still the case, though I haven’t seen any further word on that either since the initial press release.
Still, Sound of Liberation posted the tour dates thusly:
To promote their upcoming album “The Task Eternal” (which will be released via Listenable Records on September 27th), Mars Red Sky will hit the road next fall!!
They also have a bunch of festivals booked for the summer, where you may hear some new tunes.
08.06.2019 – Montaigu – Crumble Fest (FR) 15.06.2019 – Port Saint Louis – Camargue Sessions (FR) 18.07.2019 – Bilbao – Kafe Antzokia (SP) 19.07.2019 – Braga – Rodellus Festival (PT) 03.08.2019 – Chevanceaux – Laryrock (FR) 10.08.2019 – Bagnes – Rocklette Palp Festival (CH) 16.08.2019 – Saint Nolff – Motocultor Festival (FR) 27.09.2019 – Angoulème – La Nef (FR) 11.10.2019 – Belfort – La Poudrière (FR) 12.10.2019 – Strasbourg – La Laiterie (FR) 17.10.2019 – Saint Brieuc – Carnavalorock (FR) 25.10.2019 – Vendome – Les Rockomotives (FR) 26.10.2019 – Grenoble – L’Ampérage (FR) 27.10.2019 – Monthey – Pont Rouge (CH) 29.10.2019 – Zürich – Rote Fabrik (CH) 30.10.2019 – Brussels – Les Halles (B) 31.10.2019 – Diksmuide – 4AD (B) 01.11.2019 – Cologne – Helios 37 (D) 02.11.2019 – Amsterdam – Melkweg (NL) 03.11.2019 – Wiesbaden – Schlachthof (D) 04.11.2019 – Munich – Feierwerk (D) 05.11.2019 – Vienna – Arena (A) 06.11.2019 – Leipzig – Werk2 (D) 07.11.2019 – Berlin – Cassiopeia (D) 08.11.2019 – Hamburg – Hafenklang (D) 09.11.2019 – Krakow – Soulstone Gathering (PL) 20.11.2019 – Clermont-Ferrand – Coopérative de Mai (FR) 14.12.2019 – Montpellier – Le Black Sheep (FR)
Posted in Whathaveyou on April 30th, 2019 by JJ Koczan
What will otherwise be known as “the one they wrote in the castle,” Mars Red Sky‘s impending fourth album, The Task Eternal, is set to release on Sept. 27 through Listenable Records. The Bordeaux three-piece will have a limited-run self-released EP out in June as a precursor to the full-length’s release — which is standard practice for them — and have tour dates and festival appearances set into the Fall with likely many more to follow. They got some good mileage out of steady touring for 2016’s Apex III (Praise for the Burning Soul) (review here) and subsequent vinyl-only EP, Myramyd (discussed here), but they’ve always been a band to move forward, and they’re poised to do exactly that with the new record.
I already sent my email begging to hear the album early, and I think once you see the teaser clip at the bottom of this post it’ll be clear why. I have been and remain a sucker for this band, and the realization of a new album from them is just-made-my-week kind of news. I hope you feel the same.
Info follows from the PR wire:
MARS RED SKY: new album “The Task Eternal” coming September 27th on Listenable Records
French heavy psychedelic rockers MARS RED SKY announce the release of their fourth full-length “The Task Eternal” on September 27th via Listenable Records, and share an exclusive teaser today.
Three years after the “Apex III (Praise For The Burning Soul)” odyssey, French heavy psych torchbearers MARS RED SKY are ready to add a new cornerstone to the pharaonic sonic monument they’ve been building for over a decade. Written in a medieval castle in 2018, “The Task Eternal” is set for a September 27th release via Listenable Records. The band will debut the first single off the new album on May 29th, with more info being unveiled very soon!
Says the band, “In 2018, we spent much time to rehearse in a medieval castle. Today, we are beyond happy to announce the release of our fourth full-length “The Task Eternal” on September 27th via Listenable Records. As an appetizer, we are sharing an exclusive teaser!!! Teaser directed by Seb Antoine.”
“We will unleash an exclusive EP K7 entitled “Collector” in June 14th on MRS Red Sound!!! This limited edition contains a track from “The Task Eternal” album also called “Collector”! This particular song will be on any good streaming platforms on May 29th.”
Mars Red Sky live: 07.05 PARIS (75) La Maroquinerie w/ Earthless 15.06 PORT SAINT-LOUIS (13) Camargue Sessions 03.08 CHEVANCEAUX (17) Laryrock 16.08 SAINT-NOLF (56) Motocultor Festival 27.09 NEW ALBUM “THE TASK ETERNAL” OUT! 12.10 STRASBOURG (67) La Laiterie 17.10 SAINT BRIEUC (22) Carnavalorock 09.11 KRAKOW (PL) Soulstone Gathering festival
guitarist/vocalist Julien Pras as a multi-instrumentalist, and a guest appearance from Igor Sidorenko of Stoned Jesus, the album versions, etc. It’s a welcome piece perhaps aimed at the people who might fit the description of its title, but most importantly, it introduces the listener to the atmosphere that The Task Eternal broadens in songs like “Recast” and “Reacts,” “Crazy Hearth” and even the instrumental closer “A Far Cry,” which, when it’s done, just might be where you feel like you are in relation to from where you started. All told, the album is 49 minutes across eight songs that is unmistakably the work of Mars Red Sky — Pras, bassist/vocalist Jimmy Kinast, drummer Matieu “Matgaz” Gazeau — and yet works to further the reach of that very definition. Like what’s come before it, it is the output of a constantly-refining creative unfolding.
