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Art As Catharsis
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Varisema

by Helu

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1.
Varisema 35:02

about

Art As Catharsis is proud to announce the release of HELU's debut record Varisema – a single transcendent 35-minute piece of lush, instrumental post rock.

Unbridled, shapeshifting and hauntingly meditative, Varisema simmers with curiosity – begging the listener to ask ‘what comes next?’ as each instrument coils into new, unexpected shapes. The polish and finesse of the album mimics the talent levels of HELU's influences – bands such as Schnellertollermeier, Tortoise, Battles and The Necks – but given the instrumentation on Varisema, HELU establish themselves as a formidable instrumental act within their own right.

“Our influences are all obviously really different but there is also a lot of common ground between them”, begins guitarist David Sattout. “A lot of "slow burn" development growing out of short rhythmic and melodic ideas. You can go back to Steve Reich to hear how he built little "cells" and repeated them with a gradual drift to create mesmerising rhythmic patterns and cascading textures.”

Varisema is a dedication to atmospherics. From the beginning of the track a sense of quiet darkness and gentle solitude envelops the listener, generated by careful but precise bass and drum works. Each chord from Sattout’s guitar washes over the instrumentals with a wave of reverb, both setting a scene of tranquility while tightly wrapping the body of the song together. The further the track progresses, the more ambitious it becomes. Pinch harmonics and off-kilter riffworks dance between ethereal and ominous, playful and dark. The counterbalance and variety of elements ensures that every passing minute of the track becomes more engaging, more powerful and above all - more worthy of your attention as it progresses.

“Varisema is an Estonian word roughly meaning 'cave in'” says Sattout. “I remember early on listening to demos late at night on headphones and feeling like I was gradually descending into a cave. It was an oddly soothing experience which would probably terrify me in real life. Then the other guys suggested Cave In / Caving as a title, and I hadn't actually said anything to them. So it stuck immediately. What I like about the song is that it's finished. And also that (in my humble opinion) it's a compelling listen start to finish.”

credits

released September 19, 2019

Evan McGregor : Drums
David Sattout : Guitar
Josh Ahearn : Bass

Recorded and mixed by Simon Berckelman at Golden Retriever
Mastered by Steve Smart at Studios 301

Special thanks to Lachlan Dale, Simon Dawes, Oliver Thorpe, Olga Solar and Matthew Venables

Design by Josh Ahearn

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about

Helu Sydney, Australia

Helu are an instrumental trio from Sydney, Australia. Their first release "Varisema" is a through-composed 35 minute piece based around a single rhythmic idea, warping from spaced out ambience to chaotic uproar. Helu are inspired by The Necks, Tortoise, Dawn Of Midi, caves and skies. ... more

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