“Cyclops” is the newest single from Brooklyn, New York-based Instrumental Avant-Prog trio Bassoon‘s second LP, “Succumbent,” available on limited edition vinyl and all digital platforms November 17, 2023 via Nefarious Industries. Watch the video through the YouTube player below:
“Cyclops” wraps Post-Rock austerity in proggy sludge, starting with hypnotic, repetitive riffs over a no-frills drumbeat that slowly cooks as the droning riffage explores ever wider terrain. “I had just written an hour-long work for a sextet ensemble using procedural techniques, and stumbled on the fact that one of the procedures could basically develop a riff infinitely,” says composer Stuart Popejoy, “so I followed that as far as it would go!” The result is an ever-darkening descent into increasingly sharp-edged motifs until the drum part finally detaches from the relentless hammering pulse, rescued by a fragile interlude before slamming home with a reprise of the most acrobatic theme. “Cyclops” is nonetheless a straight-up banger that never lets go, as reflected in the video which features distinct species of headbanging and other metal emotes reflecting the jubilation of rattling skulls with pounding beats (plus a subtle nod to Twisted Sister videos of old).
“Succumbent” was recorded and mixed by legendary engineer Tony Maimone at Studio G in Brooklyn (The Book Of Knots, Ani DiFranco, Mike Watt), mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side Music (Mastodon, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Converge), and completed with art/design by Bassoon’s Stuart Popejoy.
“Succumbent” will be released on LP and all digital platforms on November 17th. Find preorders and merch at the Nefarious Industries webshop: https://www.nefariousindustries.com/collections/bassoon-succumbent
Tracklist:
- Omnidolent
- Succumbent
- Ossuarium
- Pentisept
- Cyclops
- Born To Doom
Bassoon is booking live excursions in support of the album, starting with a hometown Brooklyn release show October 27th. That show is followed by a run of dates through the Midwest, hitting Chicago, Cincinnati, and Louisville November 10th-13th where they’ll play with Aseethe, Anatomy Of A Habit, labelmates Tina Fey and Nequient, and more along the way. See all confirmed dates below and watch for more to post over the months ahead.
Bassoon Live:
10/27/2023 Hart Bar – Brooklyn, NY *record release show w/ PH0, Blisspoint, Splinternet
11/10/2023 The Burlington – Chicago IL w/ Aseethe, Anatomy Of A Habit, Nequient
11/12/2023 The Comet – Cincinnati, OH w/ Tina Fey
11/13/2023 Highlands Taproom – Louisville, KY
Lineup:
Stuart Popejoy / Bass, Keys
Sean Moran / Guitar
John Mettam / Drums