Fresh off the November 20th release of their intriguing, otherworldly debut record The Arecibo Message on Stay Gold Records, drone metal collective LORDS OF THE DRIFT joins us today to give you their Top Space Jams playlist, comprised of songs that are about, inspired or remind them of space.
Consisting of guitarist Tomo Milicevic, guitarist Tim Showalter (STRAND OF OAKS), guitarist/keyboardist Arjan Miranda (BLACK MOUNTAIN, S.T.R.E.E.T.S) and bassist David Bason (BARFBAG, WAR ORPHAN), LORDS OF THE DRIFT take listeners on a celestial journey. The band exists at an intersection of drone, doom, pysch metal/rock. Their sound is akin to bands like Sunn O))), Earth, Boris and Jesu. The record is one track made up of three movements and all instrumental. It sounds like a voyage through space (hence the aptly titled album) with brooding, ominous peaks and valleys that provide the perfect soundtrack for a celestial trek across the universe .
I realize there’s not much advance notice before the record’s out on Friday, but regardless of release date, I think it’s a record worthy of your attention and consideration whenever you could get to it. I hope you’ll contemplate an interview or review as soon as you’re able.
For fans Of: Sunn O))), Earth, Boris, Jesu, Goatsnake
The Arecibo Message is a nod to the 1974 interstellar radio message carrying basic information about humanity and Earth sent to globular star cluster M13. The record consists of one track in three movements.
Act 1 – Earthmakers (0:00 – 11:30) Two massive celestial entities rub up against each other. Each swirling in opposite directions, grinding as they collide. You hear the point of contact. There is a struggle as the behemoths fight for the same space. Low end grazing against high end as they fight to squeeze past each other. Friction with each contact generates heat.
Act 2 – Geomancy (11:30 – 16:45) Relief. The two entities have passed and continue on their journey. The expanse is vast. The two bodies eventually come to rest, each having been introduced to new matter in the passing.
Act 3 – The Golden Ratio (16:45 – 29:02) The bodies find motion again. As new base elements melt, waves ripple at the edge of the celestial pool. Life is awakening, stretching, groaning, tales on primordial tadpoles wiggle and we witness evolution. But there is a sound that is not natural, it’s the sound of technology.
Lords of the Drift are currently on a record completely recorded underwater. There is also a record being planned using only human voice.
Commenting on the band’s formation and musical direction Showalter says, “Lords of the Drift represents four people getting together to find a language to describe the infinitesimal and eternal. There is a sense of comfort that comes from facing head on the overwhelming nature of existence.”
Bason adds, “We were all big fans of Earth 2. We wanted to make a record with the same basic 3 movement structure that left you feeling like you’re levitating once you got through the whole thing. Arjan did a really good job of getting that across in the mix.”
Top “Space Jams”, by LORDS OF THE DRIFT:
Tim Showalter:
Brian Eno – An Ending (Ascent)
This song is the aural approximation of space. It is endless, sublime, and surrendering. I wish I had the capability to speak in scientific terms but I can imagine if one could actually pluck the string the interconnects the universe this song would be what resonates back.
Arjan Miranda:
Hawkwind – Space is deep
Hawkwind is space jamming, I don’t even know how to express my love for this band properly. I’ll let this jam speak for itself.
Magma – De Futura
Nothing is more space jamming then Magma’s multi album opera including a made up language and entire cosmology about space migration.
Tim Blake – Blake’s New Jerusalem
I recently snagged a copy of this album at my secret hometown deep cut record shop. Incredible synth work with beautiful lyrics about a new world.
Sun Ra – Space is the Place
Quite possibly the inventor of space jamming? Sun Ra is another ultimate in the cannon of the cosmic.
Tomo Milicevic:
Bowie – Life on Mars
Not much to say here, it’s a classic…
Black Sabbath – Planet Caravan
When I was like 15 I would just sit in my room blazed outta my skull listening to this and thinking guitars are so dope…
Mastodon – Oblivion
For me, Crack The Skye was one of the best metal albums of all time. This song sums up that entire album into one song for me. These dudes are lit…
David Bason
Earth – Like Gold and Faceted
This must be what space sounds like. Like, for sure.
Scientist – Jah love Aliens
This is what space sounds like. Jah told me.
Prince Far I – Plant Up.
Natty got a call on the royal telephone……from space?
