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Warlung Premiere “Sun Eater” Video

Posted in Bootleg Theater on February 4th, 2021 by JJ Koczan

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If you’re going to do a departure, then depart. Warlung‘s third LP and second for Heavy Psych SoundsOptical Delusions (review here), came out in Oct. 2020 and “Sun Eater” closed side A. In so doing, it followed the classic heavy rock/metal stylings of “Phantasmagoria,” the bigger-riffed “The Scorpion in the Sand” and the sub-three-and-a-half-minute catchy run that was “Snake Eyes.” As such, its melody-forward drift, ethereal and semi-progressive unfolding was an immediate left-turn. You kept waiting for the track, which runs just under six minutes long, to burst out in volume and harder-impact fare.

Much to the credit of “Sun Eater” and the Houston-based Warlung as a whole, that never happens. Though the drums telegraph some tension in keeping the proceedings moving, “Sun Eater” nestles itself into that languid groove and remains there for the duration, giving guitarist/vocalists George Baba and Philip Bennett space to develop the richest melodies on Optical Delusions while the brotherly rhythm section of bassist Chris and drummer Ethan Tamez ensure the procession doesn’t fall apart or get lost in its own wash. The lyrics, as noted below, center around Egyptian mythology, and the subtle chant of the chorus, infectious as it is, carries that spirit of reverence as well.

The video was filmed by Bennett and features Baba walking around the desert and singing the song while the two went camping. According to the map, Big Bend National Park, which is on the Mexican border and toward the western side of Texas, is about eight and a half hours from Houston, so yeah, they were out there. Heck of a drive to shoot a video, even in such seeming spontaneous fashion, but you can’t argue with the backdrop Baba‘s walking around in. Some trippy effects on there and flowing rhythmic editing, and it works.

You’ll find the “Sun Eater” clip premiering below, followed by a few words from the band.

Please enjoy:

Warlung, “Sun Eater” official video premiere

SAYS THE BAND:
“Sun Eater is about the ancient religion of Atenism. It is sung in the narrative of Pharaoh Akhenaten and describes his adoration of the solar disk…the Aten. Sun Eater was filmed out in Big Bend National park in the Texas desert. George and Phil took a trek to camp out and clear the mind, while out their they decided to film the scenery and take shots of George singing the song. After editing the video we decided to collaborate with Palantir Visuals where they took the kaleidoscope effect to new levels.”

CREDITS:
Guitar/vox – George Baba
Guitar /vox – Philip Bennett
Bass – Chris Tamez
Drums – Ethan Tamez

Camera – Philip Bennett
Visual effects – Malichi Cull at Palantir Visuals

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Warlung Premiere “Phantasmagoria” from Optical Delusions out Oct. 9

Posted in audiObelisk on July 29th, 2020 by JJ Koczan

warlung

Houston, Texas, four-piece Warlung will make their debut on Heavy Psych Sounds Oct. 9 with Optical Delusions, their third full-length. The follow-up to 2019’s Immortal Portal (review here), it finds the four-piece roaring back with a more developed approach, shades of classic metal’s theatricality blending with a modern heavy rock tonal presence and thrust of groove. It is 39 minutes long and runs eight tracks, so is right in line with current vinyl standards, but there’s a sense of storytelling that grabs the listener from opener “Phantasmagoria” onward and becomes as essential to the proceedings as the riffs and grooves. Primarily, it is tight. Tight in construction, tight in performance, tight in production. There are patient stretches here and there, as in “Sun Eater,” which closes side A ahead of the seemingly-complementary hook of “Order of the Solar Temple” at the outset of the album’s second half, but Warlung bring cuts like “The Scorpion in the Sand,” “Snake Eyes,” “Hell on Earth” (bonus for the bassline circa 2:30) and mega-catchy closer “No Man’s Land” to bear with a sense of urgency that serves the material well, the rhythm section of Chris and Ethan Tamez, on bass and drums, respectively, providing backing gallop behind the twisting riffs and dual-vocals of George Baba and Philip Bennett.

Replete with on-a-dime turns that recall the deceptive intricacy of Sabbath‘s bluesier work, there’s a traditionalism at play behind what Warlung are doing with their songs, but they are by no means bound by a vintage mindset. Some might hear shades of Ghost here and there in theWarlung Optical Delusions vocal melodies, but I get as much Rush, and either way, Warlung are hitting plenty harder, so take that for whatever it’s worth. Still, Baba and Bennett make a fitting pair vocally when they come together and there’s a sense of arriving at a place of arrangement that drives the apex of “Phantasmagoria” just as the solo in “Devil’s Game” reinforces the first-three-records Ozzy Osbourne impression being made in the midsection by following it with due pull. There are plenty of hallmark solos throughout — “Order of the Solar Temple” seems to nod at Deep Purple — but more than any particular feats of technical acumen, Warlung come across of songwriters, and much the same was true of Immortal Portal, which like their 2017 debut, Sleepwalker, will also see reissue on Heavy Psych Sounds. Currents of organ — or at very least organ-ish — melody run alongside the two guitars in “Sun Eater,” one sharper in tone, one further back, but both careening smoothly, and with the deep-toned bass beneath and the solid punctuation of the drums, Warlung are able to construct a fluidity that coincides with their dynamic changes in volume and/or meter, enhancing the experience of hearing both individual songs and Optical Delusions as a whole.

“Snake Eyes” and “Hell on Earth” — which are also the shortest cuts on each respective side — might be the barn-burners, relatively speaking, but don’t be fooled into thinking Warlung are keeping it so simple as that. It only sounds easy. “Devil’s Game” and “No Man’s Land” might finish out at a more moderate pace, but neither is staid in any way, and the same goes for earlier pieces like “The Scorpion in the Sand” and certainly “Phantasmagoria,” which is responsible for giving Optical Delusions its initial kick, hinting toward a progressive mindset but unwilling to relinquish the edge they might have to give up to fully indulge one. Again, these guys are songwriters. They’re in it for the songs, and if you’re going to get into it, the same applies. It is very much a third record in that the group sounds confident in the studio and aware of who they are as a band, but that their realization comes without any dulling of the basic impact of the material itself. If this is heavy metal, it’s heavy metal that recalls when heavy metal was fun.

You’ll find the premiere of “Phantasmagoria” below, followed by more info from the PR wire. Thanks to band, label and PR for letting me host.

Enjoy:

Warlung, “Phantasmagoria” official premiere

PHANTASMAGORIA is the second single of the Warlung brand new album Optical Delusions. The release will see the light October 9th via Heavy Psych Sounds !!

ALBUM PRESALE:
https://www.heavypsychsounds.com/shop.htm#HPS140

USA PRESALE:
https://www.forcedexposure.com/SearchResult.html?SearchType=Basic&Type=title&Key=optical%20delusions

SAYS THE BAND:
“Is it real or in my head? Phantasmagoria is about a man either haunted by a poltergeist or suffering from a serious case of optical delusions. On Optical Delusions, we found a middle ground between the classic horror theme of the first album and the rock n roll aspect of the second. We continued to experiment with song structures and changing tempos to keep the music dynamic and interesting. This album explores everything we have done before while guiding us into something new.”

WARLUNG is:
George Baba: Guitar/Vocals
Philip Bennett: Guitar/Vocals
Chris Tamez: Bass
Ethan Tamez: Drums

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Warlung Sign to Heavy Psych Sounds; Optical Delusions Due in October

Posted in Whathaveyou on June 24th, 2020 by JJ Koczan

I don’t know about you, but I take some measure of comfort in the fact that Italian imprint Heavy Psych Sounds has gone back to snag-mode. Last week the venerable label announced it had picked up Mountain Tamer (info here) and they’re following that up with Warlung from Houston, Texas. The four-piece have made a splash with their two records to-date, the latest of which, Immortal Portal (review here), was issued in 2019, and they’ll make their debut on Heavy Psych Sounds with their third overall LP, Optical Delusion, this October. I would expect preorder and album info to follow soon, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Warlung aren’t Heavy Psych Sounds‘ last announcement for the Fall season that seems to be catching up a bit from the last Spring and early Summer. The more the merrier.

News came down the PR wire:

warlung

Texas Heavy Rockers WARLUNG Sign Worldwide Deal With HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS!

Italy’s cult and fuzz rock label, Heavy Psych Sounds Records, is proud to welcome Texas heavy rock unit WARLUNG to their eclectic artist roster. Formed by longtime friends and brothers in 2016 and inspired by a vintage sound, WARLUNG create heavy, catchy songs with a psychedelic twist. Following the band’s sophomore, 2019- album Immortal Portal, the band will release their third full-length album titled Optical Delusions via Heavy Psych Sounds in October 2020!

“We are excited and honored to be a part of the Heavy Psych Sounds family.“ The band comments. “We couldn’t think of a better place that represents who we are. A special thanks to Gabe Fiori for giving us the opportunity to expand our music worldwide. We can’t wait to see where this road takes us!”

WARLUNG took the heavy rock world by storm in 2017 with the release of their debut album, Sleepwalker. Playing festivals such as End Hip End It Fest and opening for acts like Wo Fat and Dead Meadow, they quickly gained a cult following and high praise by both fans and critics alike.

Less than a year later, they entered the studio to record their second album, which was released in February 2019. WARLUNG continued to host various breweries and festivals alike SXSW, and quickly became a fan favorite within the local rock community and abroad. Their audience grew as they opened for bands such as High Reeper, Forming the Void or King Buffalo.

Their upcoming, hotly anticipated album, Optical Delusions, is slated for a release in October 2020, with a pre-sale to start on July 2nd with Heavy Psych Sounds. Watch out for many more news and album tunes to follow in the days ahead!

WARLUNG is:
George Baba: Guitar/Vocals
Philip Bennett: Guitar/Vocals
Chris Tamez: Bass
Ethan Tamez: Drums

https://www.facebook.com/WARLUNGBAND/
https://www.instagram.com/warlung/
http://www.warlung.bandcamp.com/releases
heavypsychsoundsrecords.bandcamp.com
www.heavypsychsounds.com
https://www.facebook.com/HEAVYPSYCHSOUNDS/

Warlung, Immortal Portal (2019)

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