Photosynthesis is a concept album about how plants convert sunlight into energy, how they transform carbon dioxide into the oxygen that all fauna need to breathe. The album's eight tracks each deal with an aspect of photosynthesis, from the macro "Water" to the micro "Palisades," which reflects the theme of botanical lungs on a microscopic level. The album culminates with "Oxygen," holding high the imagery of "Verdant Alveolus Diaspora," the album's core visual theme, depicting the world's forests as a functioning lung system's individual cells, scattered throughout the globe. Photosynthesis is the fourth "collective" album in Botanist's greater discography, meaning it is composed of a group of individuals. Band originator Otrebor (hammered dulcimers, vocals, keyboards) composed the music and lyrics to the drums of returning member Daturus (Botanist's live drummer since 2017, who played on 2019's Ecosystem) and new bassist Tony Thomas.Photosynthesis sees Botanist returning to The Flenser stable, whose partnership yielded three albums, including 2014's VI: Flora, perhaps the project's most noteworthy work.This release was recorded in the Verdant Realm in California. The album production was handled by Dan Swanö, a musician whose legend is equally for his enormous contributions to the Swedish melodic and progressive death metal scenes in the '90s and '00s, as he is for his output of top-shelf album productions from his Unisound studio. The application of Swanö's creative genius in more artistic, avant-garde areas of the metal spectrum is a match of dreams for Botanist, resulting in an album that achieves a new level of the project's expanding vision with production excellence.
Release date:
December 11, 2020
Label:
Install our app to receive notifications when new upcoming releases are added.

Recommended equipment and accessories
-
Turntables - Top Picks
A selection of reliable record players you can buy today, for every budget
-
Phono Preamps - Top Picks
A selection of the best phono preamps for your turntable setup
-
Ortofon 2M Blue Premounted
Mounted on the SH-4 Black Headshell, this setup delivers exceptional clarity, dynamic range, and accurate sound reproduction.
-
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO
Featuring a one-piece carbon fiber tonearm, precision-tuned motor, and a heavy steel platter with TPE damping, it ensures superior stability and sound quality.
-
Nagaoka MP-110H Cartridge
Features a high-quality elliptical stylus that provides excellent tracking and minimizes distortion, delivering a detailed sound reproduction with an output voltage of 5.0 mV
Featured Upcoming Vinyl
-
Marcus King Darling Blue
Republic Records
September 26, 2025 -
Kenny Burrell Kenny Burrell (Original Jazz Classics Series)
Craft Recordings
August 22, 2025 -
Pile Sunshine & Balance Beams (Purple)
Sooper Records
August 15, 2025 -
Rocket R Is for Rocket (Opaque Red)
Transgressive
October 3, 2025 -
Firstborne Lucky
M-Theory Audio
August 8, 2025 -
Nine Inch Nails TRON: Ares Soundtrack [2xLP]
The Null Corporation/Interscope
September 19, 2025 -
The Last Dinner Party From The Pyre
Island
October 17, 2025 -
Yusuf/Cat Stevens On The Road To Findout: Greatest Hits (Deluxe) [4xLP]
A&M
September 5, 2025 -
Kieran Hebden 41 Longfield Street Late '80s
Temporary Residence
September 19, 2025 -
The Divine Comedy Rainy Sunday Afternoon (Dark Green)
Divine Comedy Recs
September 19, 2025 -
MGK lost americana (Brick Red)
EST 19XX/Interscope
August 8, 2025 -
Orbit Culture Death Above Life [2xLP]
Century Media
October 3, 2025 -
FM Brotherhood [2xLP]
Frontiers New Recordings Physical Only
September 5, 2025 -
Biffy Clyro Futique
Warner Records
September 26, 2025