Vipassi laid their foundation on their debut album ‘Śūnyatā’ in 2017. Originally formed as a project between Daniel Presland (Drums – Ne Obliviscaris, Black Lava, Virvum) & Ben Boyle (Guitars – Black Lava, Hadal Maw, AMDBL) to explore new concepts and sounds not currently engaged by their projects, the band has since grown to add Arran McSporran (Fretless Bass – Virvum, Seven7, Cosmitorium) & Benjamin Baret (Guitars – Ne Obliviscaris, Maer).
They did release the first single “Phainesthai” off the new album ‘Lightless’. A continuation of their intricate instrumental project showcasing the pure artistry Vipassi has to offer. Each instrument in their arsenal is not just a tool for delivering notes, but rather a finely tuned instrument in the symphony of emotions they create. The listener is invited into a sonic universe where they become the author of their own story.
“Phainesthai serves as the centrepiece and keystone of the album, a perfect blend and introduction to the album’s sounds and motifs. The song itself celebrates phenomenon in all its forms.” – Vipassi
Watch the enigmatic music video for “Phainesthai”: https://youtu.be/7rTFEyLMcds
‘Lightless’ comes out 26 January, 2024. Pre-order: https://shop.season-of-mist.com/list/vipassi-lightless / The cover art was created by Xenoyr (https://www.xenoyr.com/)
Tracklist: 1. Lightless (5:07) 2. Labyrinthine Hex (7:11) 3. Morningstar (6:57) 4. Shapshu (4:23) 5. Phainesthai (5:49) 6. Ruination Glow (6:05) 7. Neon Rain (3:59) 8. Promethea (10:42) // Total runtime: 50:13
In Buddhist tradition, Vipassi is the twenty-second of the twenty-eight Buddhas. Etymologically, the name has its roots in clear vision – a being of extreme contemplation. The band of the same name is a world-spnning instrumental extreme metal band from the lands of Australia, France and the UK.
With members of acts such as Ne Obliviscaris, Black Lava, Hadal Maw & Virvum, their work on the 2017 debut album ‘Sunyata’, which has a loose signification of Emptiness or Void, set the grounds for a technically impressive and fully instrumental exploration of sonic textures in what can best be described as – a divine experience reaching the depths of the human soul.
Originally made as a project between Daniel Presland (Drums) and Ben Boyle (Guitars) as far back as 2007 to explore new concepts and sounds not currently engaged by their projects at the time, the band has since then grown and expanded to an international connection of like-minded musicians and virtuosos with Arran McSporran (Fretless Bass) and Benjamin Baret (Guitars).
Further exploring their labyrinthine textures and layers of sounds, the band Vipassi is back with their sophomore album ‘Lightless’. The album shifts from the realm of the void towards a clash of light and dark – and sees the band expanding into even more technical and experimental realms, pushing the limits of their own ideas and abilities to heights unimagined when the band began all those years ago.
Vipassi line-up: Daniel Presland – Drums / Ben Boyle – Guitars & Synths / Arran McSporran – Fretless Bass / Benjamin Baret – Guitar Solos
Recording: Bushido Studios, Melbourne, Australia with additional recording in Gandia, Spain & Bordeaux, France. / Production: Sound Engineer – Troy Mccosker / Mixing & Mastering Engineer – Mark Lewis / Cover Art: Xenoyr – https://www.xenoyr.com/
Available formats: -CD Digipak / -Digital Download / -12″ Vinyl Gatefold – Black / -12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Black & White Splatters
Style: Instrumental progressive metal / FFO: Ne Obliviscaris, Beyond Creation, Aubury, Virvum