Apex Ten to Release Aashray May 5
First of all, you should note that this is not an album called ‘Ashtray’ by Aphex Twin. The Hindi word ‘aashray’ translates (according to major tech company’s linguistic matrix) as ‘shelter’ or ‘refuge’; Aashray is also the name of an NGO in India that helps homeless kids, if you’re looking for someone else to give money to besides this band. And the band, by the way, are called Apex Ten and they come from Liège, Belgium. Not exactly downtown Mumbai, but fair enough use for the organic vibe they’re capturing in their instrumental sound, improv at the foundation of what they do — even if the end result on the seven songs of the record can be more aligned to structure and more actively shoving than one might think looking at the cover or digging into the info below.
The text emphasizes the jams, which is fine. There’s plenty of that, as one might hear in the 10-minute closer “Godvari” or the earlier “Naga,” but you also get the heavy post-rocker “Unlock” or the build-and-release of tension in the penultimate “Brahama,” as the band take it upon themselves to — wait for it — actually do more than one thing in terms of their approach. I know. It’s scary stuff. There’s no audio yet from Aashray, but it’s a fascinating blend of spaciousness and songcraft. I’m looking forward to getting to know it better, but an ability and will to change it up is almost never a detriment more generally. Plus they’ve got theremin, so that’s a win.
Note Aashray was tracked in 2021. I wonder when or if we’ll get all the way back to relative record-then-release concurrency. Or maybe time just melted this decade and that’s what happened.
Either way, one proceeds:
Belgium’s Instrumental Psych and Stoner rock trio APEX TEN release their album Aashray May 5th, 2023
APEX TEN is a Psych/Space/Stoner Rock Instrumental power trio formed in 2021 in Liège by Alexis Radelet (Drums), Brad Masaya (Bass) and Benoît Velez (Guitar). The group also uses instruments such as a Lapsteel, a Synth, a Theremin,… Their productions and performances are centered on improvisation, offering an ephemeral and unique side. Their style is recognizable by the hovering, psychedelic side and is reinforced by layers of synth and/or theremin. The powerful and hypnotic strike of the drummer is accentuated by the bass playing and the well-marked “fuzz” spirit of the guitarist. Everything gradually accompanies us in a “sound trip” specific to the group.
This album was recorded in Sprimont (Belgium) at the Koko studio in December 2021 by Simon Lambert and Laurent Eyen. It was again mixed and mastered by Simon Lambert who had also mixed First session and Fourth Passenger.
Aashray is essentially composed of jams/improvisations. You will also be able to hear Hindu sounds, hence its name. With this album, Apex Ten offers a more space rock, psychedelic style than their first album: “First Session”. There are also more accomplished jams and the cohesion between the three musicians is greatly strengthened.
Since October 2021, the band has been recording and releasing a DIY-recorded debut album “1st Session” with the help of their sound engineer and producer Simon Lambert. These songs have been well received. “1st session” has quickly reached 10,000 plays on Youtube. In February 2022, the group released a first single titled “The Fourth Passenger” in February, receiving a warm welcome from Belgian radio. A live album, “Chaim Trails Live”, recorded at the MPC Apache in Fontaine l’Evêque, was released on April 20, 2022.
Aashray track list:
1. Awakening
2. Unlock
3. Dazed
4. Naga
5. Deaf Snake
6. Brahma
7. Godavari
APEX TEN is:
Alexis Radelet (Drums)
Brad Masaya (Bass-Synth-Theremin-Cithare-Voices)
Benoît Velez (Guitar-Theremin)
https://www.facebook.com/apextenband
https://www.instagram.com/apex_ten_musicband/
https://apexten.bandcamp.com/
yeaaaaaah