Review: Wyatt E. ‘Zamāru Ultu Qereb Ziqquratu Part 1’
Like most people these days, I’m always seeking something fresh to listen to so that I can broaden my musical knowledge and Wyatt E. definitely falls into that category. I would describe them as different and unique, and as a follow-up to their 2022 album āl bēlūti dārû, the quartet return with a new album and released via a new label, Heavy Psych Sounds.
Their music can be described as a mixture of ancient Eastern elements with modern instruments, and for most of the time I was listening to it, I felt as if like I was in some sort of meditative or trance like state. (Nb. I remember those ‘90s days well!! Ha ha).
The first track, Qaqqari La Târi Part I, at over ten minutes long, has so much happening you could easily get lost or sidetracked by all the individual instruments that keep popping up across its runtime. The vocals, which appear for the first time in the band’s history, from both Sébastien von Landau and Stéphane Rondia, certainly add to the mysticism of their sound as they hypnotise you.
As someone who loves to hear drums in music, it’s great to see two percussionists in the band with Jonas Sanders and Gil Chevigné working their magic in tandem. On the second track, Kerretu Mahrû they combine with the heavy synth to create an eerie and mysterious sound that feels like it’s been written for a ‘70s horror/suspense movie as it rumbles on throughout the song. It all feels more sedate and serene with Im Lelya, which sees the band work with Jerusalem’s choir conductor Tomer Damsky aka MC Slice, to create a captivating song.
Nina Saeidi of Lowen lends her vocal talent on The Diviner’s Prayer To The Gods Of The Night singing the words in Akkadian, and with the blend of sounds from instruments including sitars and the saz, you really do find yourself being immersed in their world as the rhythms are moving and powerful in equal measure. The musical composition is a testament to the hard work the band members have put in, the performance is inspiring and pushes their boundaries further than before.
Ahanu Ersetum, an almost twelve-minute-long epic, wraps up the album, and this is where all their efforts come together in one almighty perfect storm. The beginning is soft and gentle as if you are being guided towards an altar for some sort of sacrifice.
The sounds from the eclectic range of instruments are wonderfully soothing as they add layers of deep textured sonics across the airwaves. They start to push a bit deeper into the song with the fractured vocals chanting away sporadically. This has certainly piqued my interest and I’m sure that many more people will have the name of Wyatt E. on their lips after listening to this.
Label: Heavy Psych Sounds
Band Links: Facebook | Bandcamp | Spotify | Instagram
Scribed by: Matthew Williams
