Hell hath no limits, nor is circumscrib'd
In one self place; but where we are is hell,
And where hell is, there must we ever be.
When all the world dissolves,
And every creature shall be purified,
All places shall be hell that are not heaven.
-Mephistopheles
This is the instrumental/non metal portion of a writing binge that I experienced in late 2018 and half of 2019. While the metal portion of Befouled by the Sacred wallows in apathy, this portion examines a relationship with apathy that vacillates. The album begins and ends with no hope,but is also intentionally littered with passages that serve as meditations on the human right to joy. The cover has meaning to me. It was created from a picture of a dead baby bird I found on the sidewalk. Not exactly something that evokes joyful thoughts, but it bizarrely represents something that means a great deal to me.
Much like how I purposefully used a different set of influences for the metal portion, I wanted this portion to take more influence from progressive rock albums of the 60's, 70's, and 80's than from neofolk or black metal bands. Programming drums didn't feel right, so I played them myself on an electric kit. This album is free from drum loops and/or programming. Absolutely none of the mixes are perfect, but I grew tired of trying to polish something that was recorded in a home studio equipped with a very minimal amount of epuipment. I'm not a gear head, but I have a strong desire to create. So, while not as perfectly produced as what influenced it, I trust anyone familiar with the artists below will be able to pick out little bits of tribute.
Influences for this album: Mike Oldfield, Pink Floyd, Yes, King Crimson, Camel, Peter Gabriel, Genesis,Talking Heads, Brian Eno, Kate Bush, Eric Johnson.
Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word ‘happy’ would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness.
-Carl Jung
credits
released September 1, 2019
Rory Heikkila-All guitars, pianos, synths, bass, drums, and percussion.
James Harju-Percussion and Bass on "Devil May Care."
Ron Blemberg-Cover
supported by 5 fans who also own “Befouled by the Sacred:Crisis Intervention”
This is one of the most impressive bands I’ve ever listened. Everything in this album is perfect. It’s raw, melodious, incredibly dark and cold. This has to be one of my favorite albums of all time. Hails ! dono_
The Indonesian act Kekal leaves no genre unturned, colliding black metal with industrial music with melodic post-rock on this stunning LP. Bandcamp New & Notable Mar 25, 2023