Chicago-based atmospheric metal collective VARAHA will released their self-titled debut EP later this month. Recorded by Nick Morgan and Mike Lust (Urge Overkill, Russian Circles, William Elliott Whitmore, Child Bite) and mixed and mastered by Adam K. Stilson (Airiel, Car Seat Headrest, Ritual Howls, Pink Frost, Radar Eyes) at Decade Music Studios, the stunning three tracks comprising the EP includes guest appearances by Bruce Lamont (Yakuza, Corrections House, Brain Tentacles et al) on saxophone and Josie Boyer (Round Rock Symphony Orchestra) on cello.
VARAHA plays a dynamic brand of dark and somber doom/dark rock inspired metal. The band’s palette is wide and varies from monolithic, heavily distorted guitars to elegiac and nostalgic arrangements. Overall, their music is a cinematic dance between heavy riffing counterpointed by omnipresent melodies, as well as droned parts of despair, and evocative clean guitar arrangements.
VARAHA is the boar manifestation of Indian god Vishnu who lifts the earth from underneath the ocean. In guitarist/vocalist Fabio Brienza’s interpretation, VARAHA symbolizes not only rebirth, but also strength, passion, and struggle. “Art and birth were never supposed to be subtle or polite,” Brienza notes. “Interestingly, ‘Varaha’ is also very similar to the Spanish word ‘Baraja,’ — the cards that you’ve been dealt in life — and though Varaha and Baraja come from two very different cultures, there exists a strong connection between the etymology of the two words. Almost as if the band name could be both Varaha and Baraja at the same time.”
Varaha will be released digitally via the band’s official Bandcamp page on December 16th, 2016 with a CD edition to follow in the coming months. In the meantime, sample opening psalm, “Cubicle” at THIS LOCATION.
Varaha Track Listing:
- Cubicle
- La Mela
- It Takes A Ghost To Kill A Ghost
VARAHA will bring their hymns to the stage later this week opening for Abigail Williams. The band will also play a special show supporting Amorphis next March with additional live dates to be announced soon.
VARAHA:
12/10/2016 Reggie’s – Chicago, IL w/ Abigail Williams, Wolvhammer, Amiensus, Terranaut [tickets]
3/26/2017 Reggie’s – Chicago, IL w/ Amorphis, Swallow The Sun, Earthen [tickets]
VARAHA is:
Fabio Brienza – Vocals and Guitars
Joel Hollis – Guitars
Bryan Gold – Bass
David Swanson – Drums
http://www.varahaband.com
http://www.varaha.bandcamp.com
http://www.facebook/varahachicago