THE FAMILIAR Digital Download
Mike Vennart is known for his work with psychedelic hipster-repellers Oceansize and schizo chart-botherers Biffy Clyro. His four albums as ‘Vennart’ are eclectic to the point of distraction; anthemic riffs, slabs of melody, Mathy ballads, complex pop-rock stompers and, more recently, the kind of aural punishment more associated with Swans.
His more recent foray into the world of extreme metal wasn’t much of a surprise for those who’d been paying attention. The ‘Empire State Bastard’ record with Dave Lombardo (Slayer/Mr Bungle) and Simon Neil (Biffy Clyro) exuded his mathy stink but was fresh ground in his 20+ year career.
‘The Familiar’ is a motoring, 16 minute trudge of lysergic, propulsive psych-doom. Incorporating the eastern groove of Gong and the primal sludge of Sunn o))) or Godflesh, ‘The Familiar’ is a full stop to something. It’s out of step with itself, much like the world at large.
Where Vennart goes from here, he doesn’t yet know. ’The Familiar’ was written years ago, and didn’t fit with the mood of either of the last 2 records. I decided it just needed to stand alone. I don’t think this is where I’m headed, so I need to let it go.’
Words by Dave Smith
Mixed in spacial audio by Steven Wilson. Immersive Spacial Audio file available for purchase here : https://immersiveaudioalbum.com/product/the-familiar-vennart-atmos-mkv-mp4/
Mike Vennart is known for his work with psychedelic hipster-repellers Oceansize and schizo chart-botherers Biffy Clyro. His four albums as ‘Vennart’ are eclectic to the point of distraction; anthemic riffs, slabs of melody, Mathy ballads, complex pop-rock stompers and, more recently, the kind of aural punishment more associated with Swans.
His more recent foray into the world of extreme metal wasn’t much of a surprise for those who’d been paying attention. The ‘Empire State Bastard’ record with Dave Lombardo (Slayer/Mr Bungle) and Simon Neil (Biffy Clyro) exuded his mathy stink but was fresh ground in his 20+ year career.
‘The Familiar’ is a motoring, 16 minute trudge of lysergic, propulsive psych-doom. Incorporating the eastern groove of Gong and the primal sludge of Sunn o))) or Godflesh, ‘The Familiar’ is a full stop to something. It’s out of step with itself, much like the world at large.
Where Vennart goes from here, he doesn’t yet know. ’The Familiar’ was written years ago, and didn’t fit with the mood of either of the last 2 records. I decided it just needed to stand alone. I don’t think this is where I’m headed, so I need to let it go.’
Words by Dave Smith
Mixed in spacial audio by Steven Wilson. Immersive Spacial Audio file available for purchase here : https://immersiveaudioalbum.com/product/the-familiar-vennart-atmos-mkv-mp4/
Mike Vennart is known for his work with psychedelic hipster-repellers Oceansize and schizo chart-botherers Biffy Clyro. His four albums as ‘Vennart’ are eclectic to the point of distraction; anthemic riffs, slabs of melody, Mathy ballads, complex pop-rock stompers and, more recently, the kind of aural punishment more associated with Swans.
His more recent foray into the world of extreme metal wasn’t much of a surprise for those who’d been paying attention. The ‘Empire State Bastard’ record with Dave Lombardo (Slayer/Mr Bungle) and Simon Neil (Biffy Clyro) exuded his mathy stink but was fresh ground in his 20+ year career.
‘The Familiar’ is a motoring, 16 minute trudge of lysergic, propulsive psych-doom. Incorporating the eastern groove of Gong and the primal sludge of Sunn o))) or Godflesh, ‘The Familiar’ is a full stop to something. It’s out of step with itself, much like the world at large.
Where Vennart goes from here, he doesn’t yet know. ’The Familiar’ was written years ago, and didn’t fit with the mood of either of the last 2 records. I decided it just needed to stand alone. I don’t think this is where I’m headed, so I need to let it go.’
Words by Dave Smith
Mixed in spacial audio by Steven Wilson. Immersive Spacial Audio file available for purchase here : https://immersiveaudioalbum.com/product/the-familiar-vennart-atmos-mkv-mp4/