Genre/Influences: Industrial, Apocalyptic-Rock, Experimental.

Format: Digital, 2CD.

Background/Info: Polish sonic project Whalesong has been active since 2009. The band is driven by Michal Kielbasa (vocals, guitars, lap steel guitar, bass, hammered dulcimer, tubular bells, vibes, mellotron, keys, lyra8, theremin, gong, percussion, zither, sitar, violin), Grzegorz Zawadzki (drums, percussion), Piotr Dziemski (guitars) and Elise Aranguren (vocals). This new opus has been accomplished by an impressive number of guest artists.

Content: The main disc stands for the ‘true’ face of Whalesong; a heavy, overwhelming, production moving from a Dark-Ambient opening cut to apocalyptic, Industrial-Rock music. Guitar and drums are often reminding me of early Swans. The few cuts featuring female vocals reveal a softer and even ‘catchy’ Industrial side. The second disc holds on similar influences as the main disc although it’s more Experimental and even touches ground with a kind of Free-Jazz style.

+ + + : I especially salute the multi-instrumentalism of this project and its core member Michal Kielbasa. Together with the multiple guest musicians it creates an impressive sonic canvas. I prefer the darker passages and especially the way guitar and drums create an uplifting effect. “Leaving A Dream” is a great track to experience -which also sounds like ‘Film-Noir’-music but I also recommend the more ‘catchy’ sounding “Hope”. From the second disc I enjoyed “From The Ashes” which also has this elevating effect.

– – – : Some parts are quite cacophonous and sound like improvised. I’m less into this complexity and Experimentalism.

Conclusion: This work reminds me to early Industrial experiments from the 80s.

Best songs: “Leaving A Dream”, “Hope”, “From The Ashes”.

Rate: 7½.

Artist: www.facebook.com/whalesongofficial

Label: www.zoharum.com / www.facebook.com/zoharum

Inferno Sound Diaries

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The experimental/metal band from Poland, Whalesong, has recently released their new full-length album, “Leaving A Dream”. Don’t be misled by the ‘metal’ label; the album offers a diverse range of sounds that fans of Swans or Einstürzende Neubauten should appreciate.

“Leaving A Dream” is an impressive 16-track strong album, spanning over 120 minutes. Yes, over 120 minutes! It was composed between 2016 and 2020 and recorded at Antisound Studio in Poland on various dates from 2020 to 2023.

The album features a range of guest artists, including Attila Csihar (of Sunn O))), Mayhem, and Tormentor), Steve Blanco (from Imperial Triumphant), and Wukir Suryadi (of Senyawa).

Whalesong is an experimental music collective hailing from Poland, led primarily by Michal Kielbasa, known for his work with Grave of Love, Lugola, Harmony of Struggle, and NHC. Established in 2009, from its inception, the band has drawn significant influence from genres such as industrial, noise rock, no wave, and drone. Over the years, they’ve forged a distinctive style that melds post-rock, doom metal, jazz, psychedelic rock, neofolk, and post-punk.

In recent times, they’ve collaborated with notable artists such as Thor Harris (of Swans and Wrekmeister Harmonies) and Wacław Kiełtyka (from Decapitated and Machine Head).

Warmly recommended! Also check out the new video for “Struggle”.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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