Sans Lumière - Mirin Dajo Prophecy

 

 

Sans Lumière - Mirin Dajo Prophecy
Self-released – 2023
Rock, Stoner, Metal, Doom, Post, Instrumental
Rated: ***

When a band or artist from my hometown releases an album, I always have to sit up straight and pay attention. Out today is the new album Mirin Dajo Prophecy by Sans Lumière. And where the band or better yet project name will surely have you thinking there are French roots a foot, the man behind it all is actually Maarten van Helden from Eindhoven, Netherlands. He started this project knee deep in the pandemic in that crazy year of 2021. “Although instrumental by nature, song titles became an important influence on the composition. Most titles refer to persons with hardships in their lives, often resulting in their unfortunate death. The single Mirin Dajo, and album title, are an ode to the only person to ever scientifically prove his immortality.” That last statement sounds extra promising and tickles the old alchemic soul in me, a search for whatever kind of Philosophers Stone, even scientific ones can count on my interest. And when that is cast in nine tracks of instrumental post rock, sludge, metal, and doom that interest will rise to enormous peaks. Formerly part of Sk;rl, a metal band that released two albums around 2003 and 2005, one could expect technically skilled performance and highly dynamic compositions. And that expectation is surely met, for Mr. van Helden manages to cascade layer upon layer of intense guitar work and soundscapes. And since he also played in a few stonerrock bands in the nineties, that influence might be detected in the rolling riffs and the pounding groove. Although the latter one will surely attest more for his love of sludge. But overall, it’s that doom trodden vista that will prevail, dark and often grave. But there are those moments when the guitars are allowed to soar and write their own story. Although, not only the guitars, but most of this musical story was written on the spot as Mr. van Helden had inspiration and stream-of-consciousness guide him while recording what eventually became the entire Mirin Dajo Prophecy album. And in that way, he managed to capture the essence of what this balancing act between life and death might actually mean. Tapping into some primal force and letting the wisdom you feel through it, guide you…

(Written by JK)

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