It is almost ironic that this collaboration is owed to a virus: When no concerts could take place due to the pandemic, the St. Gallen music club ‘Palace’ opened its doors for artist residencies lasting several days. There the Basel musicians Robyn Trachsel and Judith Breitinger from ASBEST met the St. Gallen musicians Dominik Kesseli and Michael Gallusser from LORD KESSELI & THE DRUMS. This resulted in massive compositions that would have enjoyed life in the underground only too well – but now they are threatened with exponential distribution.

Those who know the two bands will not be surprised that the four songs, which will be released on the EP ‘Altari’ in the summer of 2023, are not light fare. The almost two-and-a-half-minute contemplative intro, whose gentle waves carry us away into the land of oblivion, is followed by ‘Détruisez Tout!’ : screeching guitars and voices that hang like sirens above the noisy carpet of the massive rhythm section. The instrumental track ‘Anarchitect’ is the longest of the four at almost nine minutes. Doom and noise at the beginning, then segueing into a gently menacing piano melody. Disturbingly beautiful. The EP ends with ‘Levitate into the Ground’. Is this an animal or a machine which(s) breathes heavily here? With his bright, clear voice Dominik Kesseli leads us towards the pompous end.

ALTARI sings of doom, destruction and retribution. It is a powerful work, which was created when the world was in an extraordinary phase. For this very reason, it is also a hopeful work; never have we been closer to the possibility of veritable, long-term change than during the pandemic.

ALTARI marks a sign of friendship – both between the two bands and the Palace St. Gallen, as well as between the two labels: A Tree In A Field and Irascible Records are jointly releasing the EP. A collaboration on many levels.