HAAL, the Bristol four-piece, have released a new single called “Vinculum” today. This single follows the band revealing the upcoming release of their first EP, “Back To Shilmarine”, scheduled to be out on 10th May through Babka Records.
The haunting new single unveils another dimension of the band’s musical style. In contrast to their previous singles, ‘Vinculum’ takes a more minimalist approach, with a cyclical and improvisational feel. The vocals intertwine and distort alongside intricate guitar melodies, creating a mesmerising blend of glitchy sounds.
Speaking on the themes of the single, Nathan Richards summarises the story as a tale of:
A boy who is left shunned from his village, due to his disfigured body. He travels alone in a forgotten part of the world, looking for a cure. He comes across a place where he can rewrite the natural law of the universe. Being stuck between, hatred, rejection and fear, he is unable to focus his thoughts on anything coherent, only wishing for the vapid idea of him, and everyone else being one in the same. The culmination being the birth of a plague, where everyone suffered equally.
The band’s longtime friend, writer and illustrator Nathan Richards (@scrungoincorporated), penned the lyrics for the track. Synth player Ethan Jones then provided the narration. Producer Alfie Tyson Brown, a frequent collaborator, re-sampled Jones’ narration, cutting and re-recording them to create the final track. The result is a liminal, almost robotic sound.
Last month, the band gave their fans an initial glimpse of the EP through what could be considered their most intense song to date, “Platform 1, 18:19”. The band will be heading out on the road to play a number of shows to celebrate new EP’s release, including a return to ArcTanGent Festival in August.
04/05/24 – Wanderlust Festival, Southampton
18/05/24 – Rough Trade, Bristol w/ Jerome – GravyTrain – Ekhidna
06/06/24 – The George Tavern, London w/ Unlucky & Sulk – Bad Vibrations
16/08/24 – ArcTanGent Festival, Bristol
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