CRUCIBLE label is proud to release the forthcoming record from SUNDR, Solar Ships – a record of dark, morose and pensive metal that drifts through sloughs of emotion and turmoil. The Melbourne based quartet have recently unveiled “I’ve Forgotten How To Be Alone”, one of the epic songs from the record, in the form of an excellent live video that can be watched above. To celebrate the upcoming September 18th release of the album, we have teamed up with the band to give you a special track by track commentary, never-seen pictures from the studio, and more first-hand details about an opus that has everything to become one of your favorite, dark, sludgy, epic, ambient tinged post metal records of the year.
“Their carefully crafted, unforgiving atmosphere floors you right from the start and keeps you pinned down for as long as necessary.” – Everythingisnoise.net
“SUNDR pushes sludge metal in the opposite direction to what we’re used to, turning the gain down and the eeriness up – and it pays off beautifully in it’s own esoteric way.” – Heavyblogisheavy.com
SUNDR began in 2015 with the release of “Loss”, a two track EP. Since 2017’s “The Canvas Sea” album, the band began gaining momentum, with a tour of Japan and Australia, support slots with some of the biggest names in the sub-genre(s) (Amenra, Primitive Man, Wolves In The Throne Room, Hexis, Youth Code, Rolo Tomassi, Rosetta), 2019’s split with REDSHEER (Japan) saw SUNDR continue to expand on their sound, with more patience and introspection.
With influences spanning deep and heavy, some might find themselves at times comparing SUNDR’s atmospheric post-metal to acts in the vein of Cult of Luna, Neurosis or Isis. Yet with the release of Solar Ships, SUNDR continue to prove themselves as masters of their craft – paying extra attention to the flexibility of cleaner guitar tones throughout this four-track release. The resulting music burns like a dim flame in endless darkness: a flicker of hope in a world, lost.
“The title is inspired by the solar barge, found deconstructed and buried at the foot of the Great Pyramid of Giza, built for Khufu, the second Pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom of Egypt,” begins vocalist Scott Curtis, “‘A ritual vessel to carry the resurrected king with the sun god Ra across the heavens’. In the context of the album, this represents moments of deep personal truth that induce a psychedelic state, bringing us in contact with the infinite, acting as a vessel much like Khufu’s Solar Ship.”
“There are some reflections on The Canvas Sea, acknowledging our past, coming to terms with some lyrical themes that I explored back then from a more internal perspective. The first track Younger Dryas is a nod to A Carrion Vulture from the last record, lyrically and musically our comfort zone dissolves away through this song while a new identity emerges, and cultivates within the following three songs.”
Brooding, meditative and haunting all at once – I’ve Forgotten How To Be Alone is the first single from Solar Ships. Combining cyclical patterns, spacious, open ambience and crushing, patterned instrumentals, I’ve Forgotten How To Be Alone gives the listener time and space to contemplate, immerse and accept the rhythm’s loosening coil. Curtis’ vocals interject to shatter through this serenity like a brick through glass – with fury and anguish only seeming to intensify as the song travels to its climactic end.
“I’ve Forgotten How To Be Alone was the first line of lyrics written for the album,” says Curtis. “The song is about ‘the tragedy we don’t talk about’, anxiety, fear and depression silently creeping into our homes and lives, even in the seemingly mundane aspects of life, through illness both mental and physical, and our instinct in our modern society to push these things aside, internalise them, constantly distract ourselves until they have a stronghold on our life, changing the physical appearance of ones home, self and relationships. Lyrically I think this song is the most straight forward and a good representation of the overall concept.”
Steadily recognised as one of Melbourne’s most captivating live acts, SUNDR have proven themselves on stage with many a titan of the heavy scene, capturing ears and eyes alike on support slots with Amenra, Hexis, Primitive Man, Wolves in The Throne Room and many more. Although the uncertainty of COVID has put touring plans on hold, SUNDR is aiming to perform across Australia, Japan and Europe over the next 12 months.
With Solar Ships, SUNDR have proved themselves as a band unafraid to take risks – the titular track signalling a new direction which exceeds expectations for fans old and new. Be ready for the next chapter in one of Australia’s most notable post-metal acts when Solar Ships releases in September 2020.
Comments the band: “Right now our only plan is to release Solar Ships to the world. This album was deeply cathartic for us to write and record, and in 2020 we hope our music can provide catharsis to those who may be seeking it through music and art during these tumultuous times.”
Pre-orders for our album are now live at this location.
Track by track commentary
1. Younger Dryas – This song begins the album in a state of meditation, searching for the present moment, a connection to the infinite, oneness. We are torn from this state and confronted with absolute truth, not how we expected, but through the lens of tragedy. In particular, the inherently human tragedy of sickness, cancer and our awareness of mortality.
2. I’ve Forgotten How To Be Alone – Returning to the state of meditation, we are not alone. Clandestine, repressed anxieties have been existing within us, controlling us, distorting our subjective reality. Yet we only turn away and distract ourselves. This song is about seeing the truth of this situation for the first time.
3. Inherit – The traits, neuroses, fears and anxieties we inherit, seemingly stretch infinitely through time. From the closest relationship to the epigenetics planted by our ancient and mysterious past. By recognising this within ourselves, we gain new empathy for those who share our spiritual struggle.
4. Solar Ships – After being dragged through the turmoil of the first three songs, we find ourselves suspended. Between eternity and suffering as a human in this fleeting existence. Hanging in the light, leaning towards the maw. A moment of peace.
