Ruff Majik Post Video for “Cult Eyes” Feat. Arvid Hällagård of Greenleaf
Behold the third single from the upcoming Ruff Majik LP, Moth Eater. “Cult Eyes” is notable both for its divergence from the band’s stare-into-the-mania-and-the-mania-stands-back methodology and the guest vocal spot from Greenleaf‘s Arvid Hällagård (also Young Acid, Sleep Moscow, Pools, etc.), but the twist is well-placed amid the many voicemails and turns throughout Moth Eater, and it’s all part of the narrative assertion being made across the record — that is, Ruff Majik taking control of their own story and how it’s presented — and so consistent in making its own kind of sense.
Indeed, a big part of that the South African four-piece are doing with Moth Eater is storytelling, and you can get a sliver of that through the quote below, but that’s just a sample for one song. The whole album has tales for context and even as they seem to advocate turning away from a social-algorith-driven content-provider ethic, they’ve got more to say to their audience than ever. I’m still getting to know the album and still doing some mental ironing on these ideas, so expect more to come as we get closer to the Oct. 4 (originally listed as Sept. 27) release. I haven’t put in a request to stream the album yet, but I should probably get on that.
While I do, here’s PR wire info and the clip for “Cult Eyes.” As always, I hope you enjoy:
South African Fuzz Rockers RUFF MAJIK Release New Video Single “Cult Eyes”, Feat. Arvid Hällagård Of GREENLEAF, Taken From Upcoming Studio Album “Moth Eater”!
October 4, 2024 will see South Africa’s megalithic Ruff Majik release their brand new studio offering, entitled Moth Eater via SOL Records, the label imprint run by Sound Of Liberation (Desertfest Berlin, Keep It Low, Up In Smoke etc. and booking agency for numerous, high-class artists of the stoner, psych, rock and doom metal / sludge scene). Visit the SOL Records Shop at: https://shop.soundofliberation.com
Following previously-released singles such as “What A Time To Be A Knife”, today, Ruff Majik have unleashed a video clip for the song “Cult Eyes”, featuring a guest vocal performance of GREENLEAF frontman Arvid Hällagård! Get the song, out now on all digital streaming providers, at: https://orcd.co/culteyes
“The lyrics for Cult Eyes came about when we became aware of the fact that we had inadvertently started an actual cult based around our music (Yes, the cult is VERY real. No, we won’t tell you where it is or how it started).” The band comments.
“It’s mostly about nonchalantly accepting the role as a cult figure, and then realizing the weight and impact your actions have on your followers, and specifically having to be accountable for those actions. Of course the protagonist in the song doesn’t want to accept any of his own mistakes or take control of anything, just like cult leaders usually don’t, and this selfishness results in death and ruin. It can also be interpreted as an allegory for the modern state of politics and social media influence, where cult leaders spew out nonsense with no accountability.
Arvid Hällagård of Greenleaf tracked vocal harmonies for the song back in 2021, but due to an unfortunate sabotage, the original track was lost to the ether. When Greenleaf and Ruff Majik played together in 2023, the bands got to talking, and Tommi Holappa brought up the fact that Greenleaf listens to a lot of Ruff Majik in the tour van. Arvid and Johni spoke about the sadly lost song, and the decision was made to redo it. It’s a bit of a “what the fuck?” moment for us, since we’ve idolized Greenleaf for years – and Johni even tried to hoodwink them into touring with us before anyone ever heard about us. So, a full circle moment indeed.”
Kicking the vibe back to a sepia-toned era where bell-bottoms and fuzzed-out bass were de rigueur, the ‘Majik lads take a well-known template and drench it with their unique attitude and stoner-esque sensibilities. The horned infant known as Ruff Majik emerged from the primordial ooze when the band moved from the historical town of Lydenburg in 2012 to the capital city of Pretoria, where they honed their craft for a few years before finally entering the studio to record for the first time. In 2024 and while they are currently gearing up for the October-release of their Moth Eater on Sound Of Liberation Records, Ruff Majik released a number of EP’s and three lauded albums to date, not to mention the megaton of local and international touring (watch out for new tour dates, to be announced for October 2024 soon)!
All the requisite ‘Majik trope boxes are ticked in thick, bold permanent marker – sludgy, distorted riffs, vast landscapes of sonic abandon, dark imagery that perfectly complements the delicious cacophony, and tasty sound bites that add infinite swathes of colour. This is what is expected from the band, their signature sound and one that never fails.
Album Tracklist:
01. What A Time To Be A Knife
02. Dirt And Deer Blood
03. By The Hammer
04. We’re Not Out Of The Swamp Yet
05. Battering Lamb
06. Cult Eyes
07. Baby’s First Guillotine
08. Ingozi
09. Wasted Youth
10. Moth Eater
Ruff Majik are:
Johni Holiday (vocals & guitar)
Cowboy Bez (guitar & vocals)
Jimmy Glass (bass)
Steven Bosman (drums)
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