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Vesta Premiere “Elohim” Video; Odyssey out Oct. 16

Posted in Bootleg Theater on September 17th, 2020 by JJ Koczan

vesta

Italian instrumentalists Vesta will release their second full-length through Argonauta Records, titled Odyssey, on Oct. 16, and they’re not kidding around when it comes to that title. Even going beyond the references to 2001: A Space Odyssey in the Viareggio trio’s new video for album-opener “Elohim” premiering below, the record itself spans eight songs and an encompassing 52 minutes that bring together heavy rock and roll and progressive metal, seeming to find a space between Tool, Russian Circles, Karma to Burn and maybe even a bit of Isis (looking at you, “Tumae”) as the journey unfolds.

Though they remain wordless, their expression comes through use of effects and a general sense of poise that underscores the notion of the band as progressive; they’re well in control of what they’re doing, and whatever exploratory elements they might have at work throughout, be it flutter of guitar here or a crushing low-end shove a short time later — the punch of bass at the start of “Breach” is particularly fun — they contradict hypnotic passages with sudden turns in a way that can only be purposeful. That is to say, they know where they want to put their audience and how to get them there.

The album would seem to be comprised of two different methods playing out across longer and shorter tracks. “Elohim” tops seven minutes and is of a kind with the closing salvo ofVESTA Odyssey “Temple,” “Supernova” and “Cerere,” all of which are between 7-8 minutes. The space between the beginning and that consuming finish is given to “Tumae,” “Breach,” “Juno” and the transitional highlight “Borealis,” all of which are under six minutes long. True enough that all the material throughout Vesta‘s Odyssey has a sense of scope and that the breadth they show comes through wherever a given song might lead, but “Elohim” seems specially positioned to immerse the listener in what the outing has to offer, to capture the attention and mindset and from there manipulate it in the manner stated above.

Comprised of guitarist Giacomo Cerri, bassist Lorenzo Iannazzone and drummer Sandro Marchi, the three-piece are able to bring a sense of energy to the proceedings that makes them breathe all the more, but it is the patient and unfurling nature of the material that most comes through. “Juno” touches on a “Stones From the Sky” moment — the Neurosis riff that launched post-metal as a genre — but whether Vesta are drawing from that well of inspiration or another, it’s hard to say, and it being hard to say is what makes the album work as it pulls together its songs from various sounds and styles.

It’s in “Temple” that the Tool-ness most comes forward, but that in itself is really just an introduction to the final stage of Odyssey as a whole, which progresses smoothly into “Supernova” — there’s a burst, sure enough, but it’s less sudden than one might expect given the title — and into the kind of epilogue of “Cerere,” which finds room for a playfully bluesy solo and a last push through wash that, if you managed to sneak in some ghostly howls way down in the mix, would for sure be able to pass as black metal. You find the darnedest things lurking in the corners of records by bands who are obviously pushing themselves to reach someplace new.

I don’t know if there’s an overarching narrative to Odyssey, but there’s certainly one to “Elohim,” and it plays out in the video with all the clarity one might expect given the atmospheric intention on the part of the band behind it, adopting the aforementioned Kubrickian modus and ending on an alien landscape when its voyage is complete.

Live long, prosper, and enjoy:

Vesta, “Elohim” official video premiere

Vesta on “Elohim”:

“Being an instrumental group, we prefer to leave free interpretation to those who enjoy our music, but lately we are taking more into consideration the potential of a visual integration in support. Regarding the first single Elohim, the basic meaning of the name is “God”, “Divinity” intended as the One God … and like every human being we ask ourselves if we are alone in the universe or, and if there really is a mind superior to us, maybe it too is looking for answers. During these months of lockdown we got an idea of ??how we could tell what we had in mind through a short film. The story speaks of a signal picked up on earth, identified and analyzed. Through a spacetime tunnel man manages to have a vision, which leads him to explore Mars in search of answers to that signal but there is no life, there is nothing other than red rocks and rocky deserts. Yet in the middle of a Canyon there is an artifact placed by who knows, that transports us back to another part of the Cosmos. Something happens there; are we alone?”

Three years after their self-titled debut, Italy’s post-rock and metal outfit, Vesta, returns with their sophomore album, titled “Odyssey”, on October 16th 2020 via Argonauta Records.

“We’re three people, three individuals who came together to create something, to make music and to complete each other musically, to form a perfect Triangle.” The band explains. “Everyone in VESTA is interested in how we present our music. We write a group of songs that have a vibe, energy and feeling, and then we try to pick an image to capture that and communicate a feeling. We want something that adds to the connection with the audience.What makes us a bit nervous is, in this instant time, to release something that might take more than one listen. Where everything is instantly judged on YouTube or something! It’s a bit like releasing a horse and cart on a racetrack. With three perfectionists in the band, we have a hard time reaching perfection.”

“Odyssey” was recorded and mixed by Alessandro “Ovi” Sportelli and mastered by James Plotkin (Khanate, Cave In, Isis, Sumac), the result is a powerful, roaring wall of sound, a 54 minutes long, sonic Odyssey.

Album Tracklisting:
1. Elohim
2. Tumæ
3. Breach
4. Juno
5. Borealis
6. Temple
7. Supernova
8. Cerere

Vesta is:
Giacomo Cerri – Guitar & Loops
Sandro Marchi – Drums & Cymbals
Lorenzo Iannazzone – Bass & Drones

Vesta on Thee Facebooks

Vesta on Bandcamp

Argonauta Records website

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The Obelisk Presents: Volume! Nov. 17 in Viareggio, Italy

Posted in The Obelisk Presents on November 1st, 2018 by JJ Koczan

No secret at this point that I enjoy presenting shows in foreign lands. Places I’ve never been and may never be so fortunate as to go — to have The Obelisk reach somewhere I can’t is huge for me. I’ve partnered with Argonauta Fest before, which is of course run by Argonauta Records, and as that festival blueprint expands with the exclamatory four-band evening Volume! in Viareggio, Italy, I’m once again thrilled to be involved in the small logo-on-poster way that I am. These things matter to me and it’s a good show, so what the hell.

Volume! is something of a mini-fest, or at least somewhere between that and a label showcase, but either way it’s held at a venue called GOB (as opposed to a magician with the name) and will feature Varego, Rancho Bizzarro, SuperNaughty and Vesta on a bill that runs between amtmosludge and straight-up heavy rock and roll. It looks like a cool time, and all the bands either have new records or new records in the works — I think Varego were in the studio recently — so all the better they’re getting together for a killer night on the northern Italian coastline.

Here’s the info and links for the fest. If you can make it there, why wouldn’t you?

volume fest banner

Volume! Argonauta Fest LIVE at GOB

Saturday, November 17, 2018 at 10 PM

GOB – Ganz of Bicchio – Circolo ARCI
Via Fosso Matelli 1 int 26, 55049 Viareggio, Italy

VOLUME! is the new Argonauta Records event in collaboration with GOB!

VOLUME! born as one of the satellite events of Argonauta Fest!

VOLUME! is four bands of Argonauta Records roster!

VOLUME! will be an evening dedicated to the right guitars!

VOLUME! will be an evening with lots of Heavy Rock!

VOLUME! is a new series of events sponsored by Argonauta Fest that was created with the aim of breaking down the barriers between fans, bands and insiders. Thanks to the collaboration with the GOB, we present this first appointment made of four bands of the Argonauta roster: Rancho Bizzarro, SuperNaughty, Vesta, Varego. An evening of Stoner Rock and Post Metal you can’t miss! We are waiting for you!

https://www.facebook.com/events/334225154013818/
https://www.facebook.com/argonautafest/
https://www.facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords/
http://www.argonautarecords.com

Rancho Bizzarro Mondo Rancho EP

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Great Rift Release Vesta June 22; “Siren of the Night” Streaming Now

Posted in Whathaveyou on June 12th, 2018 by JJ Koczan

great rift

Later this month will bring the debut album from Vienna heavy psychedelic rockers Great Rift. The Austrian four-piece made their debut last year on Electric Fire Records and that same imprint has joined forces with StoneFree Records to stand behind the new outing, giving it even more of a push than it would otherwise receive. The band have the new song “Siren of the Night” streaming now at the bottom of this post. You know, where the streams go.

In its cover art and color scheme, the Vesta artwork could be said to be in conversation with woefully-missed Dutch outfit Sungrazer, and sure enough there is a tinge of that kind of psychedelic warmth in Great Rift‘s sound, but Vesta owes a more distinctive debt to the blues and hits with a harder edge, as one can hear in the rolling groove that caps the six-minute “Siren of the Night.” As to how the balance tips on the rest of the outing, what’s what June 22 is for, with the vinyl and the album coming out and whatnot.

Some light details about the record follow, more or less as a bridge and an excuse to get to the track posted. Surprise, it’s really about the music. Always was.

In young Majel Barret’s voice: “Working”:

great rift vesta

Great Rift is a four headed heavy/psychedelic Rockband from Vienna, Austria. In 2017 the band recorded their debut EP “Voodoowoodland”, released on “Electric Fire Records“.

In June 2018 their first full length album “Vesta” will be out via “Electric Fire Records” with a vinyl co-release on “StoneFree Records”. Their sound is strongly reminiscent of the heavy blues, hard & psychedelic rock of the 70s.

Tracklisting:
1. The Long High
2. Atlas
3. Siren Of The Night
4. Mercury Sunrise
5. Waves
6. The Grim Reaper
7. Dragonfly

Written by Great Rift
Recorded, Mixed & Mastered by Thomas Ranosz
at Pure Sound Recordings, Vienna
Produced by Great Rift and Thomas Ranosz

Great Rift is:
Thomas Gulyas – Voice & Guitar
David Hüttner – Guitar & Voice
Peter Leitner – Bass
Alexander Böbel – Drums & Voice

https://www.facebook.com/GreatRift.Vienna/
https://greatrift.bandcamp.com
http://www.stonefree.co.at/
https://www.electricfirerecords.com/

Great Rift, Vesta (2018)

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Vesta Self-Titled Debut out March 2; First Single Streaming Now

Posted in Whathaveyou on December 11th, 2017 by JJ Koczan

Italian heavy post-rock instrumentalists Vesta are the latest pickup by Argonauta Records and will release their self-titled debut album through the label on March 2. At this point it’s almost like a science experiment for me to see how many days go by until the next time I wind up posting about Argonauta snagging another band from somewhere around the world. That last one? Dec. 5. Today is Dec. 11, and if you’re paying attention — pay attention! — that’s not even a week from one to the next. I don’t know if there’s some master plan at work as regards building a roster or what, but Argonauta has become utterly relentless in its pursuit of new acts and new releases. It’s astounding to think of all the stuff already on their calendar for the first half of 2018, let alone what might still come later.

As far as Vesta go, they have the new single “Signals” streaming now and work in the tradition of acts like Russian Circles and maybe a bit of sped-up later Isis. They’re relative newcomers, but clearly have an idea what they’re going for in their blend of airy tones and underlying rhythmic weight.

Audio follows the PR wire info below. Have at it:

vesta

Italian Post Rockers VESTA sign to ARGONAUTA Records

Formed in Viareggio during 2016 by Giacomo Cerri (Seed’n’Feed / Dinelli & SNF Ensemble / Foolhouse / La Lisca) Sandro Marchi (La Iena) and Lorenzo Iannazzone, VESTA are currently authors of a huge sonic atmospheric assault ranging from heavy notes to the most delicate and ethereal solutions. They are characterized by a very heterogeneous style of music, ranging from the heavily discordant notes of heavy metal to more delicate and ethereal passages typical of post-rock.

Their first impressive album, originally self released by the band during 2017, will see again the light for a worldwide edition with new graphic and packaging.

VESTA “S/t” will be released on CD/DD by Argonauta Records and available from March 2nd, 2018.

Vesta is:
Giacomo Cerri – Guitar & Drones
Sandro Marchi – Drums & Cymbals
Lorenzo Iannazzone – Bass & Noise

https://www.facebook.com/vesta2017/
facebook.com/argonautarecords
www.argonautarecords.com

Vesta, “Signals”

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