THE BEAST

Hypogeum, the enigmatic new full-length from avant electronics project THE ORACLE, is out today via Repose Records.

 

Dark and at times ritualistic with its themes and complimentary visuals touching upon paranoia and the rise and ultimate fall of messiah-like figures and cult leaders, Hypogeum is inspired by the grandiosity of film scores and classical composers as well as the bleakness of black metal and minimalist ambient music. Each of Hypogeum's six tracks come accompanied by a video ultimately culminating into one continuous clip bridging together the record's shadowy theme.

 

Today Toilet Ov Hell is pleased to debut the full film noting, "There are some John Carpenter moments here and there, and a great building of texture and soundscape overall...," adding, "Like the music, there's a lot of playing around with texture, including some moments that can cause discomfort. Some sections may give motion sickness..."

 

 

Hypogeum was captured at the infamous GodCity Recording Studio in Salem, Massachusetts with producer Zach Weeks using Dave Smith Instruments OB-6, Moog Grandmother, Korg MS20, Mellotron, Yamaha CS-80, and Yamaha DX7 plugins, upright piano, guitar, bass, lap steel guitar, drums, various drum programming software, and a selection of guitar effects pedals.

 

Hypogeum is out now digitally and on limited edition vinyl via Repose Records. Find digital orders  HERE . For physical orders, go  HERE .

 

An unsettling sound journey both sonically and visually, the record is named in honor of The Hypogeum of Ħal Saflieni, a Neolithic subterranean structure in Paola, Malta. Believed to be the oldest prehistoric underground temple in the world, The Hypogeum is cloaked in mystery, from the discovery of elongated skulls to tales of paranormal phenomena. It's widely understood that the Hypogeum was originally used as a sanctuary, possibly for an oracle. It is for this reason that a unique chamber carved out of solid limestone and demonstrating incredible acoustic properties has been called "The Oracle Chamber."

 

"...strange, pulsating, electronic noise..." - Cvlt Nation

 

"Inspired by the sounds of great musical movie scores of the past, THE ORACLE on Hypogeum use tempo, sound, and tone to expertly tackle controversial themes like religion, the rise and fall of political leaders, and, most nobly, the mystery of the infamous Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum, found in Malta. The band blends these together to make one amazing symphonic experience of a record. THE ORACLE's first album introduces us to a daring band that goes above and beyond any expectations and delivers an exceptional debut while doing so." - Nexus Newspaper

 

"With Hypogeum, you are transported through six individual tracks that act as a guidepost to this ritualistic fever dream. Descending through each layer, my mind was able to create its own world of wonder. The haunting melodies, instrumentation that is foreign to me, and the halting pace of the album help create a multidimensional experience for all who dare enter." -- Brutal Planet

 

"...an instrumental ambient record laced with electronics and various effects... there's a dark energy consistent with black metal. It's not in the tempos or the manner the music is delivered, but from the grim tones that seem to ooze from every note performed." - Heavy Music Headquarters

 

  

 
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