German post-punk shoegaze outfit HOLYGRAM have released their long-awaited debut LP ‘Modern Cults’. Comprised of eleven tracks, this album is now available on CD and double vinyl, as well as digitally via Cleopatra Records. The band also just kicked off their North American tour with one of the biggest electronic bands on the planet, VNV Nation and Charlottesville, VA artist The Rain Within.
HOLYGRAM cleverly blends new wave and Krautrock with post-punk and shoegaze to achieve headstrong multi-layered bliss. This is a thoroughly contemporary homage to the sound of the ’80s with a resolute look to the future – the result is driving, dark and catchy.
Earlier, the band teased the singles ‘Signals’ and ‘A Faction’. Two years have passed since the Cologne-based outfit released their self-titled EP.
Produced by Maurizio Baggio, perhaps best known as producer of The Soft Moon’s ‘Deeper’ and ‘Criminal’ albums, they recorded this LP at Cologne’s Amen Studios.
HOLYGRAM is Patrick Blümel (vocals), Sebastian Heer (drums), Marius Lansing (guitars), Pilo Lenger (synthesizers) and Bennett Reimann (bass). Formed in 2015, the band’s approach to making music references the past, while remaining future-oriented. Hard-to-combine elements cleverly come together to become the soundtrack of a city that appears threatening in the twilight.
The new album surrounds themes such as big cities, alienation and anonymity, hope and memories, love and identity. These reflections interact closely with the band’s unmistakable signature sound. Atmosphere oscillates between the brutal sounds of the big city and the fragility of the people that lose themselves in it – intelligently observed scenarios of a world falling apart in which individuals have long ceased to play a leading role.
Last year, HOLYGRAM accompanied British synthpop legends OMD on their European tour and also played numerous festivals, including Mailfeld Derby, Wave-Gotik-Treffen and New Waves Day. Wrapping themselves in dense wafts of mist and cool lighting on stage, they’ve made quite a name for themselves on the live circuit.
‘Modern Cults’ is now available everywhere, including via Cleopatra Records on CD and vinyl, as well as digitally via Bandcamp. The album is out in Europe via Oblivion / SPV.
HOLYGRAM will be touring Europe and US/Canada this fall with one of the biggest electronic bands on the planet, VNV Nation.
TRACK LIST
1. Into The Void
2. Modern Cults
3. A Faction
4. Signals
5. Dead Channel Skies
6. Hideaway
7. Still There
8. Odd Neighbourhood
9. She’s Like The Sun
10. Distant Light
11. 1997
CREDITS
Written, performed and recorded by Holygram at Amen Studios, Cologne
Produced by Maurizio Baggio and Holygram
Mixed and mastered by Maurizio Baggio at La Distilleria, Bassano del Grappa
Additional Engineering by Nima Davari
Cover Photo by Ville Andersson
VIDEO:
A Faction https://youtu.be/NxjZgth7b6w
Signals https://youtu.be/YcVfSe0cygg
Still There https://youtu.be/ihhgJqs_yZg
TOUR DATES with VNV Nation & The Rain Within
Nov 16 Austin (TX), Barracuda
Nov 17 Houston (TX), White Oak Music Hall
Nov 19 Atlanta (GA), Masquerade
Nov 20 Ft. Lauderdale (FL), Culture Room
Nov 21 St.Petersburg (FL), Jannus Live
Nov 23 Philadelphia (PA), Union Transfer
Nov 24 New York (NY), Irving Plaza
Nov 25 Boston (MA), Royale
Nov 27 Montreal (QC), Corona Theater
Nov 28 Toronto (ON), Danforth Music Hall
Nov 30 Detroit (MI), St. Andrews
Dec 01 Chicago (IL), The Metro
Dec 02 Minneapolis (MN), Skyway Theatre
Dec 04 Denver (CO), The Oriental Theater
Dec 05 Salt Lake City (UT), Metro Music Hall
Dec 07 Seattle (WA), Neptune
Dec 08 Portland (OR), Roseland Theater
Dec 09 Vancouver (BC), Imperial Theatre
Dec 12 San Francisco (CA), Regency Ballroom
Dec 13 Los Angeles (CA), The Wiltern
Dec 14 Tempe (AZ), Marquee
Dec 15 Las Vegas (NV), Backstage Bar
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