New Jersey-based GEMATRIA a video for “By Its Own Nature,” the third single from their debut LP, Gematria II: The Spindle Of Necessity, which sees release next week through Nefarious Industries.
GEMATRIA is the progressive/instrumental metal duo formed by Ray Suhy (Six Feet Under, Ray Suhy/Lewis Porter Quartet, ex-Cannabis Corpse, ex-East Of The Wall) and Steve Honoshowsky (Daughter Vision, Billy Martin’s Fang Percussion, No Use For Humans). Formed in 2017 out of a mutual respect for each other’s playing, a myriad of shared musical influences and a love for esoteric studies and explorations, they released their five-song eponymous debut EP in 2018.
The songs on GEMATRIA’s proper full-length, Gematria II: The Spindle Of Necessity, were composed using elements of gematria, a qabalistic numerological system of relating words to numbers, the I Ching, sacred geometry and the writings of Aleister Crowley and Austin Osman Spare to help generate rhythmic and melodic ideas. The album presents a combination of intricate King Crimson-esque parts mixed with ambient soundscapes, blistering improvisations, and powerful drumming. The album was recorded by the band throughout 2020/2021 with the drums recorded by Adam Vaccarelli at Retromedia Sound Studios who mixed the album, and mastering was handled by Alan Douches at West West Side Music. The album features a guest electric flute solo on “Spindle Of Necessity” by Melissa Keeling, and a vocal choir on “Unconquered Sun” performed by Emily Grove, recorded by Steve Greenwell. The artwork was created by Steve Honoshowsky and the layout/design handled by Greg Meisenberg.
Suhy writes, “On ‘By Its Own Nature,’ just as on ‘Unconquered Sun,’ Steve recorded a drum composition first and then I wrote the music on top of it. I wanted this piece to move through different dream states. Serene and blissful, to a bit tense and twisted, back again and then ending completely nightmarish with the person waking with the final chord ringing out. The video by Asmara Studio perfectly conveys these different states.”
Honoshowsky adds: “111 is the tempo and Ray illustrates its movements justly. Divisors of this number construct the title which is the ‘conceivable actualization’ or ‘fulfillment of destiny,’ which is on the quabalistic tree of life.”
Gematria II: The Spindle Of Necessity will see release through Nefarious Industries on Transparent 8th Sphere Mercurial Orange vinyl and all digital services on September 23rd.
Watch GEMATRIA’s “By Its Own Nature” video alongside the previous “Spindle Of Necessity” video where preorders and more are posted HERE.
Watch for additional updates on the album to be issued over in the coming days.
GEMATRIA has booked new shows in Red Bank and Brooklyn over the weeks ahead, with additional shows being booked.
GEMATRIA Live:
9/24/2022 Relic Music – Red Bank, NJ
10/07/2022 Kingsland – Brooklyn, NY
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