“(Hashshashin’s) music is powerful and muscular and ranges from full on psychedelic rock-outs to fully hypnotising drone. Often ragged and cathartic, this is, in its own way, soul music, music that taps into a primal, tribal, part of our consciousness that we, in our too comfortable Western civilisation, rarely draw from.” - Echoes And Dust
On their new live album 'nihsahshsaH (adj.)', Hashshashin pair their brand of of sun-baked, Middle Eastern psychedelia with improvisation by guitarist Simon Dawes of Instrumental (adj.), whose spacious and creative guitar playing calls to mind the compositions of Morricone, the nuance of Bill Frisell, and variety of Robert Fripp.
The songs come from the group’s claimed 2016 debut ‘nihsahshsaH’, which draws on progressive rock and metal with melodic themes from the Middle East, field recordings captured in Tibetan regions of India and Nepal, and passages of trance-inducing drone.
But here - and thanks to Dawes’ input - the transcendental atmosphere turns towards dystopia. Dawes advanced modal and melodic manipulations cast these once familiar songs in new light. The recording is further bolstered by the intensity and tightness of performance itself.
This is another thoughtful record from Hashshashin, which will be of interest to fans of progressive and experimental music, from The Physics House Band to Secret Chiefs 3.
1. Prostration 03:39
2. The Ascetic 02:41
3. Ascension 04:53
4. Moksha 06:18
5. Levitation 09:13
6. Immolation 05:58
Evan McGregor: drums and percussion
Cameron MacDonald: bass
Lachlan Dale: bouzouki
Simon Dawes: guitar
Recorded live on 23 March 2017
This multi-track recording was made possible thanks to Ollie Bown, and with support from UNSW Interactive Media Lab.
Mixed and mastered by Tim Carr at Theta Labs
Artwork by Sam Harwood
