Lachlan R. Dale – Shrines (2024)
Release date: 26 Apr 2024
The album marks something of a change of pace for Lachlan. In contrast to his work with Hashshashin – whose emphasis on odd-time signatures, cinematic composition, and Central Eastern influences has marked them out in the world of post-rock – Shrines is a purely ambient affair inspired by artists like Loscil, Fennesz and Rafael Anton Irisarri.
It’s also a deeply collaborative project, having been co-produced by Lachlan’s long-time collaborator Tim Carr (We Lost The Sea, Totally Unicorn), mastered by Becki Whitton, and featuring contributions from some of Australia’s finest experimental musicians – Aphir, Bonniesongs, Gelareh Pour of ZÖJ, Helen Svoboda, Joseph Rabjohns of Kodiak Empire, Peter Hollo of FourPlay String Quartet, and many more.
Shrines can be thought of as a collection of immersive sonic worlds – some of which floating by like works of luminous alien beauty, while others have a grounded, earthy feeling. It’s a journey that’s sometimes beautiful, other times disquieting, but always hypnotic and reflective.
“This ethereal music is akin to classical, electronic, metal, post-rock, meditation and silence at the same time.” – Selected Goosebumps
“‘Shrines’ is a work full of heart and ingenuity and is aimed at both ambient fans and listeners looking for the ‘inner’ atmospheres of rock.” – Rocking.gr
Hashshashin – Śaraṇaṃ (2023)
Release date: 10 Nov 2023
On Śaraṇaṃ the Sydney-based trio weave three intricate compositions, drawing inspiration from artists like Secret Chiefs 3, Om and Grails as well as the classical and folk music of Afghanistan.
While still grounded in the band’s signature blend of odd time-signatures, psychedelia and transcendental drone, Śaraṇaṃ demonstrates how the trio have evolved since their expansive sophomore album Badakhshan (2019), which featured stringed instruments from across Tajikistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan in addition to bass and drums.
The new record reveals a more focused and cohesive sound, primarily centered on the Afghan rubab, which guitarist Lachlan R. Dale has spent much of the last five years studying. Each song embraces the sonic and dynamic possibilities of the ancient instrument, creating a mood that is both reflective and hypnotic, with evocative compositions that slowly transport listeners across deserts, small towns, and the Hindu Kush.
With Śaraṇaṃ, Hashshashin continue to explore the possibilities of evocative, instrumental music, pushing beyond the bounds and limitations of post and progressive rock. They remain one of Australia’s most interesting and rewarding underground acts, breaking their own path to new sounds and inspirations, and seeking to take listeners on the journey with them.
Hashshashin’s new record Śaraṇaṃ is out 10 November on Art As Catharsis. The first single Haḍḍa (Dhyāna) sees release on 15 September.
Joseph Rabjohns & Lachlan R. Dale – Repeater Station (2022)
Release date: 9 June 2022
‘Repeater Station’ is the new single from Joseph Rabjohns & Lachlan R. Dale.
Opening with a shimmering soundscape, and building to a pulsating post-rock crescendo, Repeater Station puts a spotlight on the unique musical relationship between guitarists Joseph Rabjohns (Kodiak Empire) and Lachlan R. Dale (Hashshashin).
Off the back of their split LP Eclipsing // Orbs, Joe and Lachlan traveled deep into the ancient Gondwana rainforests of Springbrook. There among the towering old growth trees, they spent four days improvising to create the foundation of a new musical partnership. Repeater Station came from this session fully formed from the first take, with no prior planning.
“To me this track reminds me of the damp air and filtered light of the rainforest”, says Lachlan. “It’s heavy with the atmosphere of Springbrook, which felt like such a reprieve after coming down with COVID and spending Christmas locked in my small music room.”
In parts Repeater Station gives faint echoes of This Will Destroy You’s self-titled album – but it’s also utterly unique, pairing Joe’s articulate fingerpicking against Lachlan’s effected guitar that hovers like an ethereal string section above the main melody. It’s an enticing glimpse of things to come in this rich musical partnership.
Joseph Rabjohns & Lachlan R. Dale – Eclipsing // Orbs (2021)
Release date: 26 November 2021
Eclipsing // Orbs is a split, instrumental record featuring progressive Australian guitarists Joseph Rabjohns (Kodiak Empire) and Lachlan R. Dale (Hashshashin).
For both Lachlan R. Dale and Joseph Rabjohns, Eclipsing // Orbs is rooted in the attempt to process loss and death, and the long journey from grief to acceptance. Musically, each pushes the boundaries of guitar instrumentalism, drawing from a variety of styles to conjure a cinematic journey that seeks to communicate the inner experiences of each musician.
Lachlan is perhaps best known for his work in Hashshashin – an energetic fusion of progressive rock, polyrhythmic metal, and Eastern traditions. On his debut solo release, Lachlan takes a somewhat different approach, drawing inspiration from Persian and Indian classical music, and sifting them through a filter of ambience, minimalism and drone.
Lachlan R. Dale – Death Envelops All (2020)
Release date: 22 May 2020
‘Death Envelops All‘ is the debut track from Sydney ambient/drone artist Lachlan R. Dale.
Built upon washing ambience and ever-building waves of cascading drone, the track calls to mind a mixture of Rafael Anton Irisarri’s soundscape work, the weight of Sunn O))), and the post-apocalyptic atmosphere of Earth and Year Of No Light.
‘Death Envelops All‘ can be seen as an elaboration of the ritual aspects of Hashshashin’s 2019 album Badakhshan, with its use of space and repetition to induce a trance-like state.
Hashshashin – Badakhshan (2019)
Release date: 27 September 2019
Sitting on the border of Afghanistan, the region of Badakhshan in Tajikistan serves as both namesake and inspiration for Hashshashin’s latest record. Scenes of the towering Pamir Mountains and the dust-strewn Wakhan Corridor influence the journey-driven composition of the album, as do elements of drone, ritualism and modern spiritualism.
“one of the most transcendental and beautifully performed listening experiences you’ll encounter all year.”
– Heavy Blog Is Heavy
“A powerful, poignant sonic vision.”
– Captured Howls
“‘Badakhshan’ is a rare instrumental album where you can actually feel the living soul of a tangible place felt in the music; you can fully hear and taste the cultural heritage that drives it all forward. Yet Hashshashin’s latest work isn’t at all a “culture vulture” moment; it carries deep respect and love for these regions, traditions, mysticism and music that originates from them.“
– Kill Your Stereo
Aftaab e Badakhshan (The Sun of Badakhshan) (2018)
Release date: 8 February 2018
‘Aftaab e Badakhshan (The Sun of Badakhshan)’ is a collaborative short film created by Conor Ashleigh and Lachlan Dale, captured across the Pamir Mountains of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
Hashshashin – nihsahshsaH (adj.)
Release date: 15 February 2018
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.
Adrift For Days – A Sleepless Grey (2017)
Release date: 6 June 2017
Presenting the third full-length from Sydney psychedelic doom band Adrift For Days.
‘A Sleepless Grey’ combines elements of psychedelic rock, doom, drone and post-metal – drawing from masters like Pink Floyd, Earth, Boris and Neurosis.
At times the music is gentle and reflective, drifting along psychedelic tides, and exploring subtlety and space with light, textural playing. At others the album explodes into bursts of molten fuzz, or takes a dark detour into earth-shuddering drone.
Hashshashin – nihsahshsaH (2016)
Release date: 11 October 2016
“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
Serious Beak – Ankaa (2015)
Release date: 3 November 2015
Serious Beak return with ‘Ankaa’; 35 minutes of mind-melting, psychedelic prog glory.
Featuring complex arrangements, plentiful polyrhythms, and a psychedelic edge, ‘Ankaa‘ both expands and refines the style Serious Beak established on their acclaimed debut album ‘Huxwhukw‘.