I already spoke highly about Wyatt E. before here. So, in case you forgot, or missed the memo, take this preamble as a refresher/introduction. Wyatt E. seek to encapsulate far away and outstanding soundscapes in the pursuit of bridging us, mere mortal listeners, with awe inspiring mythos, arcane occult, and so much more. In this pursuit, the group has ditched the conventional approach of expression via a single stylistic path, in order to enhance the potency of their sonic storytelling. As I see it, Wyatt E. aren’t merely musicians so to speak, they are accomplished storytellers who chose an illustrious language to tell these tales. At any rate, while they have been kicking around for a fair few years now, they’ve been getting increasingly busy in their output.
Wasting absolutely no time, we’re getting the highly awaited sequel to āl bēlūti dārû. As you would correctly guess, zamāru ultu qereb ziqquratu Part 1 (‘music from inside the ziggurat’), continues delving into the Babylonian paradigm, unearthing massively stupendous artifacts. Teasing with promises of two drummers recorded at the same time, instrumentation ranging from the band’s usual setup to saz, sitar, viola, and bugle, as well as a couple of powerful vocal guest features among other things, it’s safe to say my interest is maxed out. I want this album now! While I’m sure you all do too, for now we’ll have to slake our voracious thirst with the single the band is premiering today.
“Im Lelya” most definitely sates me and simultaneously whet my appetite for more. Thankfully, the wait isn’t too long – the new album will drop on January 10th on HEAVY PSYCH SOUNDS Records. I think we can make it with spinning this and some of the previous gems on repeat until then. Back to the song though, I must admit that throughout the first minute, I wasn’t really getting anything promising. Not that it would be by any measure disappointing, it’s just that with what’s on the table, you have certain expectations. So, the introduction part of it all, felt no different than other explored avenues. The mood is obviously top notch, with a highly immersive character, galvanized by great production.
I guess that being so impatient I glossed over the fact that even though the song is shorter than your usual Wyatt E. track, it still takes its sweet time to establish itself. As soon as we enter the second minute though, things really kick off, right as the vocals enter the stage. I had no idea that this kind of ethereal vocal delivery was so sorely missing from the band’s music, but here it is, in all its scintillating glory. From hereon out, well, I’ll let the song say its piece. Words are just idle wafts of air across the dunes in contrast.
The band added the following about the song:
‘Im Lelya is Wyatt E.’s second collaboration with Jerusalem singer Tomer Damsky, following ‘Kol Badai’ in 2021. This ancient Aramaic fable was said on the days of Belshazzar, the last Babylonian king, and it prophecies in monstrous allegories the fall of the kingdoms of Babylon, Persia, and Greece to let the world be destroyed by the new kingdom of Rome. “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven, and four great beasts came up out of the sea”: so begins the apocalyptic Dream of the Four Beasts by the prophet Daniel.‘
Of course, if you enjoyed all or any of this, make sure to follow the band on Facebook, Bandcamp, Instagram, or even Spotify
Photos by Stuart Garneys
2 Comments