From the fertile grounds of Tilburg (NL) rises new contemporary metal outfit AUTARKH, a group of musical extremists dedicated to pushing the boundaries of the auditory senses. Autarkh is the brainchild of Michel Nienhuis, founding member and composer/guitarist of DODECAHEDRON. Dodecahedron released 2 albums on the French record label Season Of Mist in 2012 and 2017 and has played at Inferno festival (NO), Reykjavík Metalfest (IS) Brutal Assault (CZ), Roadburn Festival (NL) and Eurosonic (NL) amongst others.
Death and illness was closing in on Dodecahedron, triggering a conceptual transformation that was necessary to effectuate Nienhuis’ artistic development. In the fall of 2019 Nienhuis teamed up with producer Joris Bonis (Dodecahedron, Ulsect), guitarist David Luiten and electronic composer / producer Tijnn Verbruggen, a set of musicians with backgrounds ranging from metal to techno. Autarkh’s first full length album ‘Form In Motion’ will be released the 12th of March 2021 through Season of Mist records.
AUTARKH takes a unique position in the world of extreme metal. Synthetic, IDM-style beats and glitch effects - reminiscent of those produced by artists such as Aphex Twin and Autechre - are perfectly balanced with overwhelming riffs and vocals that range from dark growls and exasperating screams to semi-clean harmonies. Together with fluttering blast beats, dense bass lines and eerie soundscapes these elements produce an intense and crystal clear tunnel of sound where the energy of contrasting emotions is constantly felt.
‘Form In Motion’ feels like an evolution in both sound and lyrical content from the two albums Nienhuis released with Dodecahedron. Musically, because of the radical approach the band takes with their rhythm section; lyrically because the album is more about a personal experience of human nature and the nature of the universe. The album takes us from unraveling storms and destructive chaos to transformation, liberation and fundamental shifts in understanding in order to align with the divine. That progression is also present in a linear sense – the intrusive uneasiness the album starts with gives way to a sense of epic victory towards the end.
Give yourself the opportunity to dive into this radical exploration of sonic and spiritual ideas and allow yourself to get inspired by what AUTARKH has to offer.
Genre: Contemporary Extreme Metal
Recording line-up:
Michel Nienhuis: vocals, guitars, bass, programming
David Luiten: vocals, guitars
Tijnn Verbruggen: synthesis, beat design
Joris Bonis: synthesis, sound design
Music and lyrics: Michel Nienhuis
Production: Joris Bonis & Michel Nienhuis
Mix:
Turbulence, Cyclic Terror, Introspectrum, Lost To Sight, Clouded Aura and Alignment: David Luiten
Impasse: Tijnn Verbruggen
Primitive Constructs, Metacognition and Zeit ist nur eine Illusion: Michel Nienhuis
Master: Joris Bonis
Artwork: Manuel Tinnemans / Comaworx
Design & Layout: Arno Frericks & Reinier Bonis
www.autarkh.com
www.facebook.com/autarkh
www.instagram.com/autarkhband
Pre-orders: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/AutarkhShop
Formats:
CD Digipak
LP in various colours
Digital
For more information on AUTARKH, please visit the band's official WEBSITE, FACEBOOK, and INSTAGRAM.
Dutch extreme metal outfit AUTARKH are now unveiling the official music video for the song "Alignment," which is taken from their latest album 'Form In Motion.' The music video, which was created by Guilherme Henriques, can be viewed via the official Season of Mist YouTube channel HERE. The link may be freely spread throughout your channels.
AUTARKH comments: ''We are proud to present our second music video for ‘Alignment.’ The video was shot by the talented videographer Guilherme Henriques at Koepelhal and Textielmuseum in Tilburg (NL). ‘Alignment’ tries to capture a most desirable form of motion towards a realm where time and space are aligned, a realm of astonishing catharsis, self-government and independence. It feels like the right time to release this video; the times are still uncertain but it seems we’re moving towards more freedom with an abundance of gained experience.’
ICYMI: AUTARKH have recently been featured on the national television show 'Muziekstad' (Music City), from the Dutch broadcasting company 3Voor12/VPRO. In the 30-minute short documentary, founder Michel Nienhuis explains his take on the heavy music scene of the city of Tilburg (NL), which is a fertile ground for the arts. The TV show also features Autarkh's first ever live performance of the tracks "Turbulence" and "Alignment." Check out the documentary HERE (English subtitles are available.)
To misquote Allen Ginsburg "the circle DODECAHEDRON is broken. But with death comes rebirth." AUTARKH takes a radical approach to their musical assault, consuming the listener with dizzying maelstroms of chaos. ‘Form In Motion’ embodies the word “extreme,” putting forth an intrusive battery of blistering guitars, pummeling drums, spastic math metal salvos and cacophonous electronics that culminates in one of the most robust and daring debut records metal has seen yet.
AUTARKH have previously announced their performance at the 2021 'Redux' edition of the prestigious and unique Roadburn Festival on April 16-18, 2021. For more information and RSVP possibilities on the digital event, please visit www.roadburn.com
'Form in Motion' is out NOW! Stream/download/order HERE.