“The Emerald” is the second album from Martin Kennedy‘s instrumental Metal project, Observers. The Emerald‘s instrumental Post-Metal was inspired by the primeval forests and hidden portals of the cover art by visionary art pioneer Gilbert Williams, one of Kennedy‘s favourite artists. Once again mixed by Joe Haley of Australia’s Psycroptic, the album is equal parts crushing guitars and atmospheric soundscapes, reminiscent of Kennedy‘s Ambient Rock project All India Radio.
Observers‘ debut earned widespread acclaim, including selection on NPR’s New Music Friday, a Wild One pick on ABC TV’s Rage, and praise from critics around the world.
Bringing a piece of “The Emerald” to life is the stop motion music video for “Eye Tree”. Made by US stop motion animator Brett Foxwell (WoodSwimmer – Vimeo Staff Pick) from tens of thousands of photos of leaves and wood as it is sawcut, creating beautiful and strange alien ‘woodscapes’.
Pre-Order “The Emerald” and Stream the title-track and “The Eye Tree” on Bandcamp: https://observers.bandcamp.com/album/the-emerald
Tracklist:
1. The Emerald (4:56)
2. The Eye Tree (3:05)
3. Forest of Doom (5:57)
4. Asterophora (3:07)
5. The Word for Forest is World (1:42)
6. Predestination (5:40)
7. Boreal World (5:28)
8. Voices Within (6:11)
9. After Us (1:21)
10. The Door (Outtake) (1:22)
Lineup:
Martin Kennedy – Guitars, Synths & Soundscapes
Chris Bohm / Drums
Rich Gray – Bass
Additional musicians: Joao Corceiro, Martin Arroyou, German Maldonado