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Surya Premiere Debut Album Overthrown in Full; Out This Week

Posted in audiObelisk on November 19th, 2019 by JJ Koczan

SURYA

Based in Cádiz on Spain’s southern coast, the heavy psychedelic four-piece Surya make their debut through Spinda RecordsSurnia RecordsOdio Sonoro and a host of others — Spanish labels should form a conglomerate and take over the world or at very least the heavy underground — with the eight-track/40-minute LP, Overthrown. Set to release Nov. 20 (which, holy shit, is tomorrow), the unpretentiously atmospheric outing works smoothly to make itself comfortable in a balance between harder-pushing rhythms and tonal warmth, an overarching shimmer of melody coming through the lead work on tracks like “Golden Tower” that reminds some of their countryfolk to the east in Algeciras in groups like Híbrido and Atavismo, though their aims for the most part aren’t so directly progressive at this point. Rather, while “Crystal Gate” is the longest inclusion at 7:29, it uses most of that time in developing a jammy flow, and even the decidedly linear, post-Elder sway of “Turtle Shaman,” which would seem to be side B’s answer back to “Crystal Gate” in terms of soundscaping reach, manages not to overindulge in its own lushness.

I’m not sure if I’d call their approach measured in the sense of being overly controlled, but the songs have an organic, carved-from-jams feel, and whether it’s a SoCal riffer like opener “Tales of the Great Fharats” and the subsequent echoer “Sundazed” or the from-the-ground-up build of the finale in “No Further,” they once again make a noble drive toward finding their identity in a sense of balance between sides. The four-piece of guitarist/vocalist Antonio Hierro, guitarist/synthesist José Moares, bassist José María Zapata (also percussion) and drummer/acoustic guitarist/vocalist Carlos Camisón (also also percussion) do well in setting and attaining this goal for themselves on Overthrown, recounting a surya overthrownnarrative across the record’s span but not sacrificing the impressions made by individual tracks in order to do so — not taking away from the songs for the story, in other words, as “concept records” sometimes do.

Instead, whether it’s the boogie in the penultimate “Begone” or the dreamy acid-strum of side A capper “Thousand Year Bridge,” which though it’s just four and a half minutes long does much to bolster a kind of Floydian pastoralism that only adds to the overall tally of their breadth of sound. “Golden Tower” is a fine example of how they bring these different sides together — the acoustic guitar notwithstanding — but wherever Surya end up on their first full-length, they get there with a remarkable sense of awareness for what they’re doing and a style that’s all the more engaging for that. It’s that much easier to go along with the fluidity they conjure because they seem to present it with such confidence.

As to what their future might hold, it’s hard to surmise where the mix of sound might take them or, likewise, where they might take it. But that too is part of what makes Overthrown an exciting listening experience, as their prospects seem to unfold with each careening riff or each patiently-delivered turn. And whatever they do, one can only hope that the current of songwriting they bring to these eight tracks continues to develop along with their aesthetic, since it’s what ultimately works to tie the material together, long with Hierro‘s vocals and a quickly-earned sense of trust that they pay back in kind with laudable effort for the converted and open-minded alike.

Happy to host the stream of the full album below. Dig in and enjoy:

Surya is a 4-piece Heavy Rock/ Heavy Psych band based in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. After an EP (Vol. 1) released in 2017, Overthrown is their first full length album, culmination of almost one year of work. Although they are all in their early 20s, Surya takes influence from 70s dual guitars with plenty of harmonies, classic sounds and powerful vocals, but with a 90s twist to spice it all up. Recorded at Estudio 79 in April 2019 by Rafa Camisón (G.A.S Drummers, Gentemayor), Overthrown tells us the story of an banished prince and his revenge on his father with roaring guitars, earth-shattering bass and huge drums. A very limited 300 copy vinyl (released between Spinda Records, Odio Sonoro, Monasterio de Cultura, Surnia Records, Bandera Records, Violence in the Veins, Sacramento Records, Noizeland Records, Discosxmil and Gato Encerrado Records) is also available for purchase in their bandcamp. Enjoy!

Releases November 20, 2019

Surya:
Antonio Hierro – guitar & vocals
Carlos Camisón – drums, percussion, acoustic guitar & vocals
José Moares – guitars and synth
José María Zapata – bass and percussion

Recorded, produced and mixed at Estudio 79 by Rafa Camisón.
Mastered at Kadifornia by Mario G. Alberni.
Artwork by Nacho Fernández-Trujillo (@nachoooft).

Edited by Spinda Records, Surnia Records, Monasterio de Cultura, Violence In The Veins, Bandera Records, Sacramento Records, Odio Sonoro, Gato Encerrado Records, Discos X Mil and Noizeland Records.

Surya on Thee Facebooks

Surya on Instagram

Surya on Bandcamp

Spinda Records on Thee Facebooks

Spinda Records website

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Surya to Release Solastalgia This Summer

Posted in Whathaveyou on March 25th, 2019 by JJ Koczan

The word ‘solastalgia’ is generally used in reference to the mental anguish caused by climate change. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t bring a little bit of hopelessness to many of my own days to think about unprecedented floods, storms and wildfires and the seemingly downward spiral onto which our species has placed itself. I guess I’m not alone if there’s a word specifically to describe it. Somehow that makes it better and worse at the same time.

Solastalgia is the new album from London post-metallers Surya — also stylized with a long-vowel-sound marker over the ‘u’ — and it isn’t their first time dealing with a present state of affairs as their 2015 record, Apocalypse A.D. would seem to have worked on similar lines. Fair enough, right? I mean, it’s not like the problem went away or got any better. Don’t fret though, I’m sure by the time their next record comes around, it’ll all be worked out. Maybe free-market capitalism can fix it. Not like that’s what got us into this mess or anything.

Ugh.

Album announcement came through the PR wire:

surya (Photo by Durda)

SURYA to release new album this summer!

Live at Desertfest London 2019!

London’s post-doom metal outfit SURYA returns with their second album this summer on Argonauta Records. With their refreshing mix of heaviness and subtle sonic landscapes, SURYA explore the depths of music and evoke a broad spectrum of emotions. Whilst the band’s debut, Apocalypse A.D., was an instrumental record interspersed with samples, SURYA’s upcoming album Solastalgia sees them expanding on their sound, adding spoken word and sparse vocals.

“We are very excited to announce that our new album – Solastalgia – will be released this summer on both CD and LP formats.“ the band comments “We worked hard over the last few months to make it happen, overcoming all the struggles that life laid in our path. We are pleased that the album will be released in co-operation with Argonauta Records after working together also on Apocalypse A.D. The album is about the Earth, it is about humanity, and it is about the anthropocene – this new age we live in. It is about these desperate times of Kali Yuga and finally it is about care, hope and action. We cannot wait to play the new songs from Solastalgia live, and we hope that the music and message that the record contains will resonate with listeners.”

SURYA will debut their forthcoming album live at DESERTFEST LONDON as well as at the following dates, with many more to come soon:

05.05.19 UK DesertFest – London
26.05.19 UK Creeping Death Fest – Brighton
19.07.19 UK Cosmic Carnage – Cardiff, w/ Torpor
20.07.19 UK Bristol, w/ The Obsessed, Alunah, Gonga, Torpor & More
21.07.19 UK Doomlines – Sheffield, w/ The Body, Cattle, Bast, Torpor, Leechfeast & More

www.facebook.com/surya.band.uk
www.surya-band.bandcamp.com
www.argonautarecords.com

Surya, Apocalypse A.D. (2015)

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Desertfest London 2019 Adds 29 Bands to Complete Lineup; Madness Ensues

Posted in Whathaveyou on February 5th, 2019 by JJ Koczan

What am I even supposed to say here other than ‘yes please?’ As Desertfest London 2019 rounds out its lineup and once again demonstrates its willful growth year after year, I’ll tell you this: there are a lot of bands listed below, and a lot of good bands. And if you’re reading this and you’re in London or you’re fortunate enough that you’re going to be in London for this festival, I know you’re hip to where it’s at. I get that. But seriously, if you don’t know, there re a few really must-see bands here, and it’s not all Amenra headlining. That’s great, and I’m sure it’ll be super-intense and very cool and all that.

But I’m telling you: don’t sleep on seeing High Priestess, BlackWater HolyLight, Worshipper, Salem’s Bend, Skraeckoedlan and Great Electric Quest. Some of those names are kind of buried near the bottom of this announcement, but really, you’d only be doing yourself a favor if you caught them. Let’s put Zed in that category too, and when they’re done, tell them I said hi. You probably already know all this, but I just wanted to highlight the point, since there’s a lot here and it’s easy to get overwhelmed. I get that too.

Kudos to the Desertscene team for focusing on what matters — the music — even amid pulling double-duty in putting together the first-ever Desertfest NYC, the lineup for which is still in progress. This fest looks amazing and I wish I could say I was going. Quite simply, it’s been too long.

Here’s the announcement:

desertfest london 2019 final announcement

Amenra to headline Saturday at DESERTFEST LONDON 2019 + day tickets and 28 more bands announced!

Showcasing the best of what the underground has to offer is at the core of DESERTFEST LONDON and this year’s line-up is the most eclectic, yet satisfying to date by ticking those “wish-list old school desert rock” boxes with Fu Manchu and Witch at The Roundhouse, whilst pushing the boundaries of heavy with the likes of HHY & The Macumbas and Grave Miasma. Year after year it’s about offering up a diverse bill that allows for discovery, whilst celebrating the musical foundations of the festival, and the final Saturday headliner and remaining 28 acts do just that.

DESERTFEST LONDON /// 3-5th May, 2019 in London
Weekend and day tickets on sale at this location

Desertfest are honoured to reveal that the incomparable AMENRA will celebrate their 20-year anniversary across the London weekend this May, bringing their uniquely atmospheric sound as headliners of Saturday’s mainstage and, for the first time in the UK, an even more intimate side of the band takes place at The Underworld on Sunday with solo performances from CHVE & SYNDROME. We would be proud to have Amenra headline Desertfest on any year, but to have them on the year they celebrate their 20th anniversary makes it all the more special for us and also the band themselves.

Desertfest are also pleased to announce a stage takeover from the mighty Riding Easy Records, the righteous west coast label will not only bring the sun (we hope) but a hefty dose of fuzzed out riffs from their roster. Headlined by rock’n’rollers ELECTRIC CITIZEN who refuse to be pigeonholed with a 70s proto-metal sound that chimes into psychedelic realms. Street-doom killers R.I.P will hit the UK for the first time and vocalist Fuzz is ready to bring it hard and loud. Completing the stage showcase are 80s punk heavy metal hybrids ZIG ZAGS, hazy Swedish doom newcomers ALASTOR and the low and slow psych goth-rock sounds of BLACKWATER HOLYLIGHT.

If that wasn’t enough Desertfest also adds thunderous space-rock psychedelic masters MONKEY3 to upcoming proceedings, the unforgiving primitive metal sounds of THE SECRET and LA party starters THE SHRINE, who haven’t graced DF with their amped up stoner-skate vibes for well over 5 years.

We also welcome back our long-time partners Human Disease Promo/When Planets Collide for another takeover of The Underworld on Saturday. Topping the bill, the riff muscle of Savannah, Georgia is brought back to The Underworld by the mighty bruisers BLACK TUSK. Dropping in straight underneath we’re living the doom dream of olde with Chicago legends in THE SKULL. Glasgow gives us two offerings this year in the form of explosive riff n roll filth-party heads ACID CANNIBALS, and to lower the tone whilst severely twisting some melons we also welcome their fellow city dwellers HEADLESS KROSS. As ever we chose to open up with a cataclysmic attack, hence why we’ve invited Brighton’s bleak hardcore oblivionists KALLOUSED to set the day into fittingly venomous motion. Bring your ear plugs, it’s gonna be a floor shaker!

And finally, Desertfest round off with the brilliant SKRAECKOEDLAN, BLANKET, SALEMS BEND, SURYA, HIGH PRIESTESS, ZED, KUROKUMA, GREAT ELECTRIC QUEST, PSYCHLONA, VIDEO NASTIES, ONE FOR SORROW, WORSHIPPER, MOUNTAIN CALLER & 1968 all added to the monumental 2019 line-up.

DESERTFEST LONDON /// 3-5th May, 2019 in London
All tickets on sale at this location

http://www.desertfest.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/DesertfestLondon
https://www.instagram.com/desertfest_london/
https://twitter.com/DesertFest

BlackWater HolyLight, BlackWater HolyLight (2018)

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Surya Sign to Argonauta Records; Apocalypse A.D. Due in Spring

Posted in Whathaveyou on January 5th, 2016 by JJ Koczan

Didn’t take long for Italian imprint Argonauta Records to announce its first new signing of the year in London’s Surya (also stylized with a long accent mark over the ‘u’ that I can’t seem to make show up), who will issue their debut album through the label in Spring following up on a self-recorded single put out last year. The record will be a CD/download, and presumably there will be preorder opportunities sometime between now and its release, but for now, there’s a brand new trailer posted if you’re inclined toward that kind of thing, and the announcement of the band signing came through the PR wire.

It looked a lot like this, only less blue:

surya

ARGONAUTA RECORDS – New signing: SURYA

Stoked to start the new year with a new very promising name being part of our family. London, UK based SURYA are authors of a huge Instrumental Post Metal tinged Doom, where music is a mix of heaviness and subtle sonic landscapes, ugliness and beauty. Earth, Water, Air and Fire- all in its eternal dance of creation and destruction, bringing light through understanding the darkness.

After releasing one-track demo in 2015 (self recorded at Overdrive Studios in Deptford) and playing few shows around London, SURYA went to Bear Bites Horse studio in may 2015 to record their first full-length album.

The band was formed with the idea of exploring the depths of music rather than staying on the surface, connecting with themselves and everything around them.
For S?rya, music and art in general are powerful tools for conveying ideas, like human/animal liberation and going back to Nature, and a whole spectrum of emotions.
About the collaboration with ARGONAUTA Records, SURYA say: “We are really excited to join Argonauta Records, looking forward to releasing our first full-length, “Apocalypse A.D.”. It is an honour to share the label with such great bands from all over the world!”

“Apocalypse A.D.” will be released on CD/DD via ARGONAUTA Records and available during Spring 2016.

S?rya line up:
Bartek – Guitar (formerly of Exmisja ), Raf – Guitar (formerly of Szeol), Raquel – Drums (also of Prisa Mata), Mark – Bass (also of Prisa Mata, formerly of Tombgrinder, Wolfhead, Cultfinder).

More info:
www.argonautarecords.com
https://www.facebook.com/surya.band.uk
https://surya-band.bandcamp.com/

Surya, Apocalypse A.D. teaser

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