https://www.high-endrolex.com/18

The Vintage Caravan to Release The Monuments Tour (Live) Oct. 13

Posted in Whathaveyou on September 8th, 2023 by JJ Koczan

Who’s gonna argue? Icelandic trio The Vintage Caravan will begin a European tour at Desertfest Belgium 2023 in Antwerp on Oct. 21. They’ll spend nearly a month on the road on a run scheduled largely after the wind-down of the Fall festival season, but accordingly at a less saturated time, as opposed to, say, mid-October, when even on the continental scale of Europe as a whole things are packed. Plus, taking off later allows them to get the release of their new live album, The Monuments Tour (Live), out of the way and pack the inevitable boxes of vinyl for lugging from show to show. At least until they sell through.

What’s funny is that the tour for 2021’s Monuments (review here) studio album will be continuing on this impending stint even as they memorialize it on the live 2LP. Leave it to The Vintage Caravan to exist in multiple timeframes. Suitable for a band who do so much to modernize classic heavy methods.

A sampling of their bona fides and info on the live record are available to check out below, as is the live video for “Can’t Get You Off My Mind,” which has been posted as the first single. Dig it:

the vintage caravan the monuments tour live

THE VINTAGE CARAVAN to Release Live Album, ‘The Monuments Tour (Live)’, on October 13, 2023 via Napalm Records

Pre-Order NOW: https://www.napalmrecordsamerica.com/thevintagecaravan

Icelandic retro rock trio THE VINTAGE CARAVAN announce their first live album, ‘The Monuments Tour (Live)’, to be released on October 13, 2023 via Napalm Records!

Bringing back vintage rock with progressive influences, THE VINTAGE CARAVAN has proven more than capable of creating their own trademark sound, presenting guitar driven classics merged with blues and rock. Today, the band unveil the live single “Can’t Get You Off My Mind” – taking the listener on a blistering ride through pounding drums, intense guitar solos and an undeniably catchy chorus.

Known as an energetic live band, THE VINTAGE CARAVAN has convinced thousands of fans after countless high-voltage live performances at festivals such as Roadburn, Wacken and Hellfest, touring with Opeth, and most recently on their latest Latin American headline tour. THE VINTAGE CARAVAN create nostalgic nuances to get lost in, and with their upcoming first live album, they’ve finally captured the magic of their live performances on record.

Watch the live video for “Can’t Get You Off My Mind” below and catch THE VINTAGE CARAVAN live on the second leg of The Monuments Tour!

‘The Monuments Tour (Live)’ Track List:
1. Whispers (Live)
2. Crystallized (Live)
3. Reflections (Live)
4. Innerverse (Live)
5. Forgotten (Live)
6. Can’t Get You Off My Mind (Live)
7. Psychedelic Mushroom Man (Live)
8. Cocaine Sally (Live)
9. Hell (Live)
10. Babylon (Live)
11. On The Run (Live)
12. Expand Your Mind (Live)
13. Clarity (Live)

‘The Monuments Tour (Live)’ will be available in the following formats:
=> 2LP Gatefold marbled vinyl Red
=> 2LP Gatefold marbled vinyl Yellow
=> Digital Album

THE VINTAGE CARAVAN Fall 2023 European Tour

21/10 BE – Antwerp, Desertfest
23/10 CH – Aarau, KIFF
25/10 NL – Alkmaar, Victorie
26/10 DE – Bremen, Tower
27/10 NL – Helmond, De Cacaofabriek
28/10 NL – Drachten – Iduna
29/10 DE – Hannover, Béi Chéz Heinz
31/10 DE – Dresden, Club Puschkin
02/11 PL – Gdansk, Drizzly Grizzly
03/11 PL – Warsaw, Hydrozagadka
04/11 SK – Kosice, Colosseum
05/11 HU – Budapest, Analog Music Hall
07/11 HR – Zagreb, Vintage Industrial Bar
08/11 AT – Vienna, Arena
09/11 DE – Augsburg, Kantine
10/11 AT – Lustenau, Carini Saal
11/11 DE – Frankfurt, Nachtleben
13/11 DE – Stuttgart, Im Wizemann Club
14/11 DE – Dortmund, FZW Club
15/11 FR – Strasbourg, La Laiterie
17/11 FR – Marseille, Molotov
18/11 FR – Vallet, Westill Fest

THE VINTAGE CARAVAN is:
Óskar Logi Ágústsson – lead vocals, electric guitar
Alexander Örn Númason – bass guitar, backing vocals
Stefán Ari Stefánsson – drums, percussion

https://www.facebook.com/vintagecaravan
https://www.instagram.com/thevintagecaravan/
http://www.thevintagecaravan.eu/

www.facebook.com/napalmrecords
https://www.instagram.com/napalmrecordsofficial/
www.napalmrecords.com

The Vintage Caravan, “Can’t Get You Off My Mind” official video

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Conan Announce 7″ Singles Series

Posted in Whathaveyou on August 28th, 2023 by JJ Koczan

Conan have made known their intention to issue a series of an untold number of limited 7″ singles over the next however many months. Yeah, details are pretty light, but it caught my eye because, well, in part because the Algorithm puts every social media post the band makes in front of my face because I usually respond to them (Jon Davis‘s got covid; get well soon, mate), but also because the included DIY hashtags would seem to indicate they’re not coming out through Napalm Records.

The UK-based obliterators put out five releases through Napalm, including one live album and last year’s Evidence of Immortality (review here), with its foray into atmospheric complexity complementing all their signature plunder. Now. I don’t know that theirs was or wasn’t a five-album deal. I don’t know that Conan‘s next album won’t come with a Napalm logo on the back. I don’t know anything. I don’t even know whether these singles will be out through DavisBlack Bow Records, or just punk-style, no label at all.

But I know they’re covering undervalued crunch rockers Fudge Tunnel on the first one — because it says it, right down there — and I know that Conan are slated to appear at Desertfest New York next month ahead of starting a previously announced European tour in October with Lord Dying, so that’s not nothing. As to the timing on these tracks, I’ve no idea, but with bassist Chris Fielding handling the recording as ever, the process feels pretty streamlined.

Here’s their post:

Conan

7” COLLECTOR SERIES…… We are launching a series of 7” singles. Our first, featuring both new & original material and also a cover of Hate Song by @fudge_tunnel is currently being mixed and mastered by @chrisfielding_musicproduction – and will be made available for pre order soon. These will be available through our bandcamp, so keep an eye open for news in the coming days. #cavemanbattledoom #diyrelease #diyordie #fudgetunnel

CONAN European tour w/ LORD DYING
11/10/2023 CZ Brno Fleda
12/10/2023 AT Linz Kapu
13/10/2023 CH Düdingen Bad Bonn
14/10/2023 CH Martigny Les Caves du Manoir
15/10/2023 IT Bologna Freakout Club
16/10/2023 SL Ljubljana Orto Bar
17/10/2023 HU Budapest Dürer Kert
18/10/2023 AT Vienna Arena
19/10/2023 PL Poznan Pod Minoga
20/10/2023 DE Dresden Chemiefabrik
21/10/2023 DK Copenhagen Råhuset (Only Lord Dying)
22/10/2023 NO Oslo Revolver
23/10/2023 SW Gothenburg The Abyss
25/10/2023 DE Hamburg Bahnhof Pauli
26/10/2023 DE Berlin Reset
27/10/2023 DE Hannover Cafe Glocksee
28/10/2023 NL Maastricht Samhain Festival
29/10/2023 BE Ghent Chinastraat
30/10/2023 DE Leipzig UT Connewitz
31/10/2023 DE Wiesbaden Schlachthof
01/11/2023 FR Dijon Les Tanneries
02/11/2023 SP Barcelona Salamandra
03/11/2023 SP Vitoria Jimmy Jazz
04/11/2023 FR Toulouse Connexion Live
05/11/2023 FR Colmar Le Grillen
06/11/2023 DE Munich Feierwerk

CONAN is:
Jon Davis – Guitar, Vocals
Chris Fielding – Bass
Johnny King – Drums

http://www.hailconan.com/
https://www.facebook.com/hailconan/
https://www.instagram.com/hailconan/
https://conan-conan.bandcamp.com/

Conan, Evidence of Immortality (2022)

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Conan and Lord Dying Announce European Tour

Posted in Whathaveyou on July 7th, 2023 by JJ Koczan

Conan have signed with Swamp Booking for Euro representation, and how better to consummate the beginning of such a relationship than to announce a full round of European touring? Very good then. The UK allcrushers will head out starting Oct. 11 in the company of Portland, Oregon’s Lord Dying, who return to Europe for the first time since 2019 (of course). Their live lineup at the time was as listed below. I hope that if that’s no longer accurate, someone will fill me in. I did my best to find an updated one and couldn’t. I’m trying, you know.

They’ll be a fitting complement to Conan, whose 2022 LP, Evidence of Immortality (review here), found them growing more atmospheric with the inclusion of synth much as Lord Dying‘s 2019 outing, Mysterium Tremendum (review here), saw them building a bridge between their monstrous sludge and more progressive, angular metallurgy. Gonna be some killer shows here, I guess is the point. I hear that’s a thing people like.

Also can’t help but notice Lord Dying heading out for nearly a month on the road four years after their last record. If they’re giving Mysterium Tremendum its due, well, fair enough. The other possibility is they’ve got another release on the way that hasn’t been announced yet. If that’s so, I’d expect word sooner than later, since we’re already starting to see releases unveiled for October and after that things start to slow down toward the end of the year. Of course, records can happen anytime — right… now! — and my usual disclaimer that I know absolutely nothing definitely applies. Just saying it’s possible.

From Swamp Booking‘s socials:

Conan Lord Dying tour

Conan and Lord Dying will team up for 4 weeks around Europe to present their new albums.

CONAN have toured Worldwide to deliver heavy riffs . After returning to the USA in spring 23, they will finally tour Europe this fall to present their 6 th album EVIDENCE OF IMMORTALITY.

LORD DYING from the USA to grim and to crush your venues with heaviness and relentless, fuzz filled riffage.

11/10/2023 CZ Brno Fleda
12/10/2023 AT Linz Kapu
13/10/2023 CH Düdingen Bad Bonn
14/10/2023 CH Martigny Les Caves du Manoir
15/10/2023 IT Bologna Freakout Club
16/10/2023 SL Ljubljana Orto Bar
17/10/2023 HU Budapest Dürer Kert
18/10/2023 AT Vienna Arena
19/10/2023 PL Poznan Pod Minoga
20/10/2023 DE Dresden Chemiefabrik
21/10/2023 DK Copenhagen Råhuset (Only Lord Dying)
22/10/2023 NO Oslo Revolver
23/10/2023 SW Gothenburg The Abyss
25/10/2023 DE Hamburg Bahnhof Pauli
26/10/2023 DE Berlin Reset
27/10/2023 DE Hannover Cafe Glocksee
28/10/2023 NL Maastricht Samhain Festival
29/10/2023 BE Ghent Chinastraat
30/10/2023 DE Leipzig UT Connewitz
31/10/2023 DE Wiesbaden Schlachthof
01/11/2023 FR Dijon Les Tanneries
02/11/2023 SP Barcelona Salamandra
03/11/2023 SP Vitoria Jimmy Jazz
04/11/2023 FR Toulouse Connexion Live
05/11/2023 FR Colmar Le Grillen
06/11/2023 DE Munich Feierwerk

CONAN is:
Jon Davis – Guitar, Vocals
Chris Fielding – Bass
Johnny King – Drums

LORD DYING:
Chris Evans – Guitar
Erik Olson – Guitar, Vocals
Alyssa Maucere – Bass
Kevin Swartz – Drums

http://www.hailconan.com/
https://www.facebook.com/hailconan/
https://www.instagram.com/hailconan/
https://conan-conan.bandcamp.com/
https://twitter.com/hailconan

https://www.facebook.com/napalmrecords
http://label.napalmrecords.com/

https://www.facebook.com/LordDying/
http://instagram.com/lorddying
http://lorddying.bandcamp.com/

http://www.mnrkheavy.com
http://www.facebook.com/MNRKHeavy
http://www.twitter.com/MNRKHeavy
http://www.instagram.com/MNRK_heavy

https://www.facebook.com/swampbooking/
https://www.instagram.com/swampbooking/
https://swampbooking.com/

Lord Dying, Mysterium Tremendum (2019)

Conan, “Righteous Alliance” official video

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The Vintage Caravan to Tour Europe This Fall

Posted in Whathaveyou on June 20th, 2023 by JJ Koczan

Add Icelandic heavy rockers The Vintage Caravan to your list of who’s on the road in Europe this Fall, and if you’re noticing that last growing increasingly crowded, I don’t think that’s wrong. The rightly venerated Reykjavik trio toured last year in support of their Spring 2021 album, Monuments (review here), and they’ll head out again in the coming months, keeping company on part of the run with countrymen Volcanova. That too is consistent with their 2022 tour, hence the sequelish nomenclature around the upcoming run, the still-mostly-young band having established themselves as ambassadors of Iceland’s surprisingly crowded and varied underground scene.

Tour starts at Desertfest Belgium in Antwerp on Oct. 21, ends at Westill Fest in France on Nov 18, and has plenty of stops in between. Here’s the rundown:

The Vintage Caravan tour

(#128293#)Europe! (#128293#) We’re super excited to announce that we’ll be hitting the road again in October and November! Check out the dates below carefully as in some of these cities we’ll be headlining for the very time ever! You can expect a long The Vintage Caravan show and who knows we might bring something special, so stay tuned for more news! ⚠️ Get your tickets here (#128073#) www.thevintagecaravan.eu

Very happy to have our dear friends of Volcanova again with us at some of the shows!

21/10 BE – Antwerp, Desertfest
23/10 CH – Aarau, KIFF
25/10 NL – Alkmaar, Victorie
26/10 DE – Bremen, Tower
27/10 NL – Helmond, De Cacaofabriek
28/10 NL – Drachten – Iduna
29/10 DE – Hannover, Béi Chéz Heinz
31/10 DE – Dresden, Club Puschkin
02/11 PL – Gdansk, Drizzly Grizzly
03/11 PL – Warsaw, Hydrozagadka
04/11 SK – Kosice, Colosseum
05/11 HU – Budapest, Analog Music Hall
07/11 HR – Zagreb, Vintage Industrial Bar
08/11 AT – Vienna, Arena
09/11 DE – Augsburg, Kantine
10/11 AT – Lustenau, Carini Saal
11/11 DE – Frankfurt, Nachtleben
13/11 DE – Stuttgart, Im Wizemann Club
14/11 DE – Dortmund, FZW Club
15/11 FR – Strasbourg, La Laiterie
17/11 FR – Marseille, Molotov
18/11 FR – Vallet, Westill Fest

THE VINTAGE CARAVAN is:
Óskar Logi Ágústsson – lead vocals, electric guitar
Alexander Örn Númason – bass guitar, backing vocals
Stefán Ari Stefánsson – drums, percussion

https://www.facebook.com/vintagecaravan
https://www.instagram.com/thevintagecaravan/
https://twitter.com/_vintagecaravan
http://www.thevintagecaravan.eu/
www.napalmrecords.com
www.facebook.com/napalmrecords

The Vintage Caravan, “Whispers” official video

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R.I.P. Steffen Weigand, Drummer of My Sleeping Karma

Posted in Features on June 13th, 2023 by JJ Koczan

Sad news today from the camp of mostly-German instrumentalist meditative psych innovators My Sleeping Karma, who have announced the passing of drummer Steffen Weigand. The four-piece, of which Weigand was a founding member, put word out on social media as follows:

Dear MSK Family,

We are devastated to inform you that our brother Steffen has passed away this morning surrounded by his loved ones.

Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family.

We are heartbroken and have no more words right now.

Weigand’s death comes after a battle with a rare kind of cancer that consumed the final three-plus years of his life. In Dec. 2022, a GoFundMe was launched that exceeded its 50,000 Euro goal with the aim of supporting Weigand and his family as well as helping to pay for medical and other costs. His passing leaves an uncertain future for My Sleeping Karma, who have limited their live activity in the last year-plus as he struggled against the disease.

As a member of My Sleeping Karma alongside guitarist Seppi, soundboardist Norman Mehren and bassist Matte Vandeven, Weigand was an essential component in one of the last generation of heavy psychedelia’s most crucial and influential progressions. The shape of the genre would not be what it is today without their, and his, contributions to it, and his progressive style of drumming remained part of what allowed the band to remain consistently exploratory the time of their 2006 self-titled debut through their 2022 album, Atma.

Working with Elektrohasch Schallplatten, the Munich-based label run by Colour Haze guitarist/vocalist Stefan Koglek, My Sleeping Karma’s first three albums — the self-titled, 2008’s Satya and 2010’s Tri — found the band discovering the smoothness of sound and the spiritual themes that would guide them thereafter, honing an individualism of style and production that allowed for a heavy impact and a distinct, thoughtful resonance in melody complemented as always by rhythmic flow. As the drummer, Weigand was often the ground over which their guitar and keyboard, even bass, melodies floated, but his creativity in that was more than complement to the music. It was the heart, beating.

In 2012, My Sleeping Karma left Elektrohasch to release their fourth album, Soma, through Napalm Records via an imprint called Spinning Goblin Productions. That album would become a defining effort from the band as they toured and became regulars at festivals like Desertfest and Stoned From the Underground, Freak Valley and so on, and their influence spread accordingly to a new generation beginning to embrace both heavy psych rock and an instrumental approach for which My Sleeping Karma (not alone, but prominently) provided a ready guidepost. By the time Moksha arrived in 2015, My Sleeping Karma was signed to Napalm proper, and considered among Europe’s finest in the style. Their maturity was manifest throughout the album in a serene sound so much like water in its movement, and again, Weigand provided the undercurrent that carried the listener through.

The band’s only live album, Mela Ananda (Live), was issued in 2017, and for those like myself who were never fortunate enough to see My Sleeping Karma play, it reaffirmed just how much we were missing. The dynamic and chemistry between the band — who, remember, were more than a decade removed from their debut at the time — was on ready display, and new and old material was presented with vitality and palpable, infectious joy. The ‘show’ ended and one could only smile. By the time Atma arrived, Weigand’s illness was public, and the spirit of the music had grown melancholy and perhaps challenged by the pandemic, but still they harnessed the special musical conversation that has typified all their work and found a way to see light where many could find none. It was a beautiful album, and as Weigand’s last, it will remain a bittersweet landmark in their catalog.

On behalf of myself and this site, I offer sincere condolences to the remaining members of My Sleeping Karma, as well as Weigand’s family, friends and others who were touched by his work. I count myself in that number, and I am that much sadder for never having watched him play on stage. It is known that My Sleeping Karma began every set with a hug shared at centerstage by all four members of the band. To think of that embrace missing one of the four hurts in a way that tells you the magnitude of the loss. My Sleeping Karma were, are, a family, and they very much presented themselves in that light. That family has lost a loved one.

Rest in peace, Steffen Weigand, and thank you for the work you did. It is a thing to be all the more treasured, and a reminder to share your love with the world around you, as Weigand so clearly did.

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The Obelisk Questionnaire: Jaakko Mäntymaa of Marianas Rest

Posted in Questionnaire on June 7th, 2023 by JJ Koczan

Jaakko Marianas Rest

The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.

Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.

Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.

The Obelisk Questionnaire: Jaakko Mäntymaa of Marianas Rest

How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?

It depends a great deal on what we are talking about, but I take this as a general question about what drives us forward in life. First of all I want to be a proper parent for my kids. Secondly I want to be better at the things I enjoy. Because I think my best days at playing football are behind me, I concentrate on my musical hobbies and day job. And of course I try to be a decent human being overall.

Describe your first musical memory.

I remember going through LPs and cassettes in my uncle’s room. Iron Maiden, Metallica and Alice Cooper for example. I remember the face of Eddie in the cover of Seventh Son of a Seventh son. It made an instant impact. Of course I didn’t have permission to go rumble through my uncle’s room. When I got caught, he didn’t lecture me but educated me on the subject and played me some of his personal favourites. And I think that is the reason I got into rock and metal in the first place.

Describe your best musical memory to date.

There are so many, I choose to go down memory lane. I remember the time I bought my first cd. I had saved money from my weekly allowance and my dad brought me to a record store. Since I had money for only one cd, it was either Gun’s and Roses and half of Use Your Illusion or Roxette’s Joyride. A hard choice, but eventually I went with Joyride, which is still one of my favourite records.

When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?

I think my kids try me out weekly. They ask me all sorts of questions to just try out if I am honest or not. They already know the answer but they want to see how I react. And I try to be as honest as possible even though I guess a white lie would be better sometimes.

Where do you feel artistic progression leads?

To different places with different people I guess. I think that overall it is totally subjective as to what is progressive and what is not.

How do you define success?

The feeling you get when you have put a lot of effort into something and can look back at it happily even if nobody else gets it. When you give it your all, no one can ask for more no matter the end result.

What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?

It’s always a terrible feeling when you let someone down. And you can see it in the face of the one you have let down.

Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.

It would be great to be a part of creating the perfect album. But I guess that’s not going to happen.

What do you believe is the most essential function of art?

To contradict, to challenge, to anger and to soothe.

Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?

Going to a Cirque du Soleil show with my kids.

http://www.marianasrest.com
www.facebook.com/marianasrestofficial
www.instagram.com/marianasrestofficial
www.tiktok.com/@marianasrestofficial

https://www.facebook.com/napalmrecords
http://label.napalmrecords.com/

Marianas Rest, Auer (2023)

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Hällas Announce US/Canada Fall Tour

Posted in Whathaveyou on June 5th, 2023 by JJ Koczan

Swedish heavy progressive rockers Hällas will tour major markets in the US along the East Coast and up into Canada for dates in Montreal and Toronto this November. They make the journey supporting 2022’s Isle of Wisdom, released through Napalm Records as the follow-up to 2020’s Conundrum. It’s not the band’s first time in the States, as they did the West Coast in March in the company of Danava, but their organ-laced melodic retro-futurism comes east (or in their case, still west) with Freeways supporting, having also toured Europe last Fall after the album’s release last Spring.

They’re an act I haven’t covered as much as I’d like to, so when I get the chance on something like tour dates the algorithm generously put in front of my eyes, I’m glad to do it. I still fondly recall seeing them in 2018 at Høstsabbat (review here) in Oslo, and as I’ll catch them this coming Saturday at Freak Valley as well, this seemed like an excuse to dive into Isle of Wisdom, and as I suspected I wouldn’t, I don’t regret it. Patient and proggy but not lacking movement, they will be a fitting complement to the cool autumn air and actually-dark-at-nighttime of early November on the Eastern Seaboard, and as they’ll go as far inland as Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Chicago, the tour covers a pretty sizable chunk of ground too.

Dates follow from social media:

Hallas tour

ANNOUNCEMENT!

In November we will return to North America for a new adventure — This time we’re bringing the fantastic Freeways

Ticket sales are opening Friday 10AM EST

2023-11-03 Cambridge, MA – Sonia
2023-11-04 Brooklyn, NY – The Meadows
2023-11-06 Philadelphia, PA -Underground Arts
2023-11-07 Montreal, QC – Fairmount
2023-11-08 Toronto, ON – Horseshoe
2023-11-09 Grand Rapids, MI – Pyramid Scheme
2023-11-10 Chicago, IL – Reggies
2023-11-11 Columbus, OH – Ace of Cups
2023-11-12 Baltimore, MD – Metro Gallery
2023-11-14 Raleigh, NC – The Pour House
2023-11-15 Greenville, SC – The Radio Room
2023-11-16 Atlanta, GA – Boggs Social & Supply

Who’s coming?

Artwork: Lou Benesch

https://www.facebook.com/haellas/
https://www.instagram.com/hallasband/
http://www.hallasband.com/

https://www.facebook.com/napalmrecords
http://label.napalmrecords.com/

Hällas, Isle of Wisdom (2022)

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The Obelisk Questionnaire: Cornelius Althammer of Ahab

Posted in Questionnaire on April 6th, 2023 by JJ Koczan

Cornelius Althammer of Ahab

The Obelisk Questionnaire is a series of open questions intended to give the answerer an opportunity to explore these ideas and stories from their life as deeply as they choose. Answers can be short or long, and that reveals something in itself, but the most important factor is honesty.

Based on the Proust Questionnaire, the goal over time is to show a diverse range of perspectives as those who take part bring their own points of view to answering the same questions. To see all The Obelisk Questionnaire posts, click here.

Thank you for reading and thanks to all who participate.

The Obelisk Questionnaire: Cornelius Althammer of Ahab

How do you define what you do and how did you come to do it?

Well, I am a rocker and I was born that way. There is even a picture if me as an embryo raising my fist, haha! I impossibly could think of anything else because I have no other interests than music. If I am not playing drums or thinking about riffs, breaks, grooves or similar it’s very likely I order microphone stands, cables or cymbals. I am a nerd within my very own world and it feels totally natural.

As a band we play nautik doom. Daniel’s and Christian’s shared vision led us where we are now. I was just lucky being asked, if I’d like to join.

Describe your first musical memory.

That was probably my mother singing. But I am not sure about that.

Describe your best musical memory to date.

All the times I did something for the first time. First time of listening to Iron Maiden. Finally managing how to play blastbeats.

First time playing abroad. All the times writing an album with the boys or being in the studio and having this magic going on. …first time listening to the finished mix of an album.

But there is nothing as “that one experience”.

When was a time when a firmly held belief was tested?

Oh, my beliefs are being tested every single day. It may be the conflict between what I’d love to do with all my bands and everyday life that constantly shrinks these dreams to tiny versions of themselves. Or the belief in myself and my competence versus very slow progress when practising.

The key is to cling to these beliefs, because in the end they’re the only things that keep me going.

Where do you feel artistic progression leads?

This is not easy to answer. In the first place it should lead to fulfillment of ones artistical dreams. Like “I always dreamt of making an album like this and finally I can play and compose the way I need to do so”. So if everything works out artistic progression leads to better music and therefore is the best thing in the world. So the worst thing that could happen may be people are not ready for your music, yet.

If things go wrong you just fuck it up and compose rubbish that results from being burnt out by a merciless album-tour-album-tour-album-tour schedule and a desperate need for a break. Lucky you, if you realize that you should in fact take a break and leave the demos for that “emancipative” album what they are…

How do you define success?

Being able to to what I want, getting better at it and not starving while doing so.

What is something you have seen that you wish you hadn’t?

The news, every fucking time I incidentally switch on the TV.

Describe something you haven’t created yet that you’d like to create.

My next song, haha!

Or, to become very unrealistic here, a space where artists can do their stuff without being in constant fear of getting kicked out of their place due to gentrification. But for this I would need to become a billionaire and learn how to manage things. Or probably first learn management and then become rich…

What do you believe is the most essential function of art?

Enhancing consciousness. Art doesn’t have borders. Being the counterpart of the rational, scientific side of life, it adds the soul to the mind. It is the fantastic, creative part that makes us human.
Thinking about this, the artwork of Black Sabbath’s “Dehumanizer” comes to my mind. This is the very scenery that happens, if you take art away from mankind.

Something non-musical that you’re looking forward to?

Summer.

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Ahab, The Coral Tombs (2023)

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