Max Holmquist, the creative force behind Dream Ghoul, has assembled a lineup of great musicians, drawing members from bands like Oquoa, Bug Heaven, Ivory Daze, B.B. Sledge, and Ghostlike to bring the evocative new project to life.
The first glimpse into their upcoming album comes with Qualitative Blue, 1991; a haunting, slow-burning dirge which radiates plenty of emotion. The song goes deep into themes of weaponized nostalgia as a commodity, distorted representations of history, and the pervasive feeling of alienation from humanity. It's a layered, mesmeric journey which stands out right away.
The impending album boasts contributions from Claire Hannah and Hop (Nightosphere), as well as Mike Overfield (Conduits, Mesa Buoy). It was recorded and mixed by James Schroeder (Mesa Buoy, Rosali, David Nance & Mowed Sound), with mastering by Mikey Young.
Following quickly on its heels, the band unveiled another single, Watcher on the Gateway, 1993. The second offering gives way to a swirly, danceable, and psychedelic soundscape, and highlights Dream Ghoul’s ability to balance introspection with an expansive, genre-bending creative mindset.
Reflecting on Watcher on the Gateway, 1993, Holmquist offers deeper insight into the song’s essence: "This song was originally written in my DAW with only mellotron synths and a drum break loop I built. In the studio, we added live drums and bass, and I added a 4 part vocal harmony. The song is about an entity called the Watcher that observes and seemingly guides us to our own annihilation. Inspired by themes of Hauntology, Spectres of the Past, Forces of History, Society of the Spectacle, The Watcher on the Threshold, and Self-Annihilation by Attachment."
ZR