Prog Acid Folk from Singapore!!!

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   Hello all, Singapore's foremost progressive band The Observatory have released their 4th album entitled Dark Folke.  Its great prog acid folk with black/doom metal influences, but it ain't no mishmash; this is the sound of a band who have travelled far from their debut album in 2004 and continue pushing the sonic envelope whilst still retaining their singular identity.  Check it out!!!

____________________________

Hello Friends and Fans of The Observatory,

DARK FOLKE, our fourth album, is officially out. Recorded and mixed earlier this year in Bergen Norway, we worked once again with our friend and respected producer Jørgen Træen who has also worked with some of our personal favourites like Ultralyd, Motorpsycho and Jaga Jazzist.

Our time at Duper was filled with lots of ideas, plenty of jokin'around, some tough moments, and many warm memories. Opposite to that but equally as intense was the Bergen weather, wet and freezin'. We think the album reflects this extremity.

What came next was unexpected. We hooked up with metal/hardcore/underground illustrator and designer Justin Bartlett aka Vberkvlt. Justin is a detail-obsessed, maniacally passionate artist, also a diehard Depeche Mode fan. He is the man behind the wicked art of SUNN O))), Moss, Aura Noir and more. Check out his work at www.vberkvlt.com

The DARK FOLKE album packaging is a hardbound black book, designed and drawn by Justin Bartlett. Printed on paper constituted from recovered waste and virgin pulp from good sustainable forestry, the album heralds a new shape in the band's discography of albums. It is now not only oversized but also square. We have good reason. For vinyl lovers, a double gatefold LP is in the works for release later this year.

It's hard to describe one's own work. The math prog rock of our 3rd album A far cry from here has morphed into a fluid mystical beast. Most songs have no drums. But there is rhythm. Only the type of rhythm associated with an invisible pulse. An implied rhythm. Five folks sitting around a fire. A metaphorical fire. Chanting for the rain to come. 

We will be doing a series of SIX shows called HEXA, all at small intimate venues. Our first show HEXA I will be at The Hall, The Arts House on 19 July. Details attached.

Justin Bartlett has also designed a special collection of THREE tshirts which will be on sale at shows only. These are a very limited run of only 100 pieces per design.

Ask for DARK FOLKE at all good music stores.

Evan Tan, our keyboardist/electronician, has himself taken up the pen and drawn some pretty strange things for our new website. Refer to it for latest news, gig details and ticketing information. Also look for us on Facebook, we will be posting updates regularly to all subscribed fans.

Official website www.theobservatory.com.sg
Facebook www.facebook.com/theobservatory
Email [email protected]
Myspace www.myspace.com/theobservatoryband

Best,
The Observatory 

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superprog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: July 07 2006 Status: Offline Points: 1354	Topic: Prog Acid Folk from Singapore!!! Posted: July 23 2009 at 03:18
	Hello all, Singapore's foremost progressive band The Observatory have released their 4th album entitled Dark Folke. Its great prog acid folk with black/doom metal influences, but it ain't no mishmash; this is the sound of a band who have travelled far from their debut album in 2004 and continue pushing the sonic envelope whilst still retaining their singular identity. Check it out!!! ____________________________ Hello Friends and Fans of The Observatory, DARK FOLKE, our fourth album, is officially out. Recorded and mixed earlier this year in Bergen Norway, we worked once again with our friend and respected producer Jørgen Træen who has also worked with some of our personal favourites like Ultralyd, Motorpsycho and Jaga Jazzist. Our time at Duper was filled with lots of ideas, plenty of jokin'around, some tough moments, and many warm memories. Opposite to that but equally as intense was the Bergen weather, wet and freezin'. We think the album reflects this extremity. What came next was unexpected. We hooked up with metal/hardcore/underground illustrator and designer Justin Bartlett aka Vberkvlt. Justin is a detail-obsessed, maniacally passionate artist, also a diehard Depeche Mode fan. He is the man behind the wicked art of SUNN O))), Moss, Aura Noir and more. Check out his work at www.vberkvlt.com The DARK FOLKE album packaging is a hardbound black book, designed and drawn by Justin Bartlett. Printed on paper constituted from recovered waste and virgin pulp from good sustainable forestry, the album heralds a new shape in the band's discography of albums. It is now not only oversized but also square. We have good reason. For vinyl lovers, a double gatefold LP is in the works for release later this year. It's hard to describe one's own work. The math prog rock of our 3rd album A far cry from here has morphed into a fluid mystical beast. Most songs have no drums. But there is rhythm. Only the type of rhythm associated with an invisible pulse. An implied rhythm. Five folks sitting around a fire. A metaphorical fire. Chanting for the rain to come. We will be doing a series of SIX shows called HEXA, all at small intimate venues. Our first show HEXA I will be at The Hall, The Arts House on 19 July. Details attached. Justin Bartlett has also designed a special collection of THREE tshirts which will be on sale at shows only. These are a very limited run of only 100 pieces per design. Ask for DARK FOLKE at all good music stores. Evan Tan, our keyboardist/electronician, has himself taken up the pen and drawn some pretty strange things for our new website. Refer to it for latest news, gig details and ticketing information. Also look for us on Facebook, we will be posting updates regularly to all subscribed fans. Official website www.theobservatory.com.sg Facebook www.facebook.com/theobservatory Email [email protected] Myspace www.myspace.com/theobservatoryband Best, The Observatory

superprog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: July 07 2006 Status: Offline Points: 1354	Posted: August 06 2009 at 03:53
	BUMP! any Comus fans here?

ClemofNazareth Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Prog Folk Researcher Joined: August 17 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 4659	Posted: August 06 2009 at 08:13
	Thanks for the bump. Checking them out today....
	"Peace is the only battle worth waging." Albert Camus

Slartibartfast Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Collaborator Honorary Collaborator / In Memoriam Joined: April 29 2006 Location: Atlantais Status: Offline Points: 29630	Posted: August 06 2009 at 10:13
	I just knew when I saw the thread title that it be about the Observatory. I have A Far Cry From Here. Most excellent.
	Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened...

superprog Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: July 07 2006 Status: Offline Points: 1354	Posted: August 06 2009 at 22:11
	they're now sold on Wayside Music as well............... this is a really great album, it makes Far Cry sound a lil pop hahahaha