BOTANIST & THIEF reveal details of forthcoming split-album "Cicatrix/Diamond Brush" and release single 'Antirrhinum'
At a casual first glance, San Francisco post-black metal outfit BOTANIST and Los Angeles based electronic project THIEF seem to have little in common to justify a split-album with six tracks from each of both acts. Yet on closer inspection, this misconception is quickly dispelled. Please see below for more details on both bands.
Introducing "Cicatrix/Diamond Brush", which will hit stores on August 27, 2021 to complement the release of the new, third THIEF full-length on the same day (details about this other new album will soon be disclosed), BOTANIST are now unveiling the track 'Antirrhinum', which is taken from the split. Cover art, tracklist, and further details of "Cicatrix/Diamond Brush" can be viewed below.
The BOTANIST single'Antirrhinum' is available via the following link: https://youtu.be/6Xdk43sgfiU
Pre-sale link: http://lnk.spkr.media/botanist-thief
THIEF band pictures and graphic materials are available at this link:
BOTANIST 'Antirrhinum' taken from the split-album with THIEF
"Cicatrix/Diamond Brush"
'Antirrhinum' is a finally released "lost" track from BOTANIST's recording sessions for the album "VI: Flora" (2014).
BOTANIST comment: "The plant with the Latin name 'Antirrhinum' is also known as 'Dragon Flower' or 'Snapdragon'", explains mastermind Otrebor aka Roberto Martinelli. "Its vivid name derives because of the flower's fancied resemblance to the face of a dragon that opens and closes its mouth."
Tracklist
BOTANIST
1. Juglans Nigra
2. Styrax
3. Cicatrix
4. Antirrhinum
5. Balete (re-mix)
6. Streptocarpus (re-mix)
THIEF
7. Hyena
8. Firethroat
9. Diamond Brush
10. 2700 Years
11. Acid Queen
12. Corpse Sprout
San Francisco post-black metal outfit BOTANIST and Los Angeles based electronic project THIEF at a superficial glance seem to have too little in common that would explain their shared release of the split-album "Cicatrix/Diamond Brush". Yet on closer inspection there is much to connect the two acts despite their stylistic differences. Both bands have been conceived and are mostly recording as solo-projects run by a single mastermind, and both multi-instrumentalists recruit live members to put their music on the stage. Yet the connection between BOTANIST's Otrebor aka Roberto Martinelli and Dylan Neal from THIEF runs much deeper: Dylan Neal played hammered dulcimer in the post-black metal outfit and even after officially departing from BOTANIST, he has continued to contribute as a "silent" member, for example by writing the dulcimer and bass parts for the album "Collective: The Shape of He to Come".
This personal connection between both bands is reflected in the material of this split-album. BOTANIST's "Cicatrix" contains previously unreleased tracks from the recording sessions of their acclaimed full-length "VI: Flora" (2014), which is also the record that Dylan toured on, when the band went to Europe and delivered their legendary performance at the Roadburn Festival in 2015. The botanical term 'cicatrix' refers to the scarring that shows on a plant after it has been damaged and the title track points towards the damage that mankind has inflicted at the global flora. This concept easily ties in with the project's ongoing story about a botanist, who surrounds himself with plants and flowers in a sanctuary that he calls the Verdant Realm. There he finds solace in the company of the natural world, and envisions the destruction of humankind that will allow plants to make our earth green again.
While the backbone of THIEF's sound has been formed by manipulated sacred chant and choral samples, "Diamond Brush" prominently features live drums and electric guitars for the first time on one of their records. Thematically, Dylan explores a spiritual pursuit of awakening through the experience of transgression and suffering with allusions to Joyce, Salinger, Nabokov, and Mobb Deep. "Diamond Brush" is also intended as a companion to the third THIEF full-length, "The 16 Deaths of My Master", which is slated for release on the same day as the split-album.
"Cicatrix/Diamond Brush" constitutes essential listening to any follower of BOTANIST and THIEF.
Release date: August 27, 2021
Pre-sale link
Artwork by Luis Cuervo
Band pictures and graphic materials (click here for Dropbox)
Details BOTANIST
Line-up: Otrebor– everything
Style: Experimental Post-Black Metal
Engineered by Otrebor, 2013
Mix & mastering by Jack Shirley, The Atomic Garden, 2013
Links
Details THIEF
Line-up: Dylan Neal– everything
Guest musicians
R.Chiang – drums on tracks 7, 11, and 12
Chris Hackman – bass guitar on track 8
Style: Experimental Electronics
Recorded & mixed by Dylan Neal in Thiefdom, Los Angeles, CA
Mastered by Chris Hackman
Links
Available formats
"Cicatrix/Diamond Brush" is available as an LP on limited clear vinyl and on regular black vinyl, and as Digisleeve CD.
