Wartime never began... never did it end. The world is on edge. Leila Abdul-Rauf, acclaimed for her evocative and boundary-pushing soundscapes, announces the release of her latest album, Calls from a Seething Edge. Since her previous release Phantasiai in 2021, Abdul-Rauf has navigated a world transformed by pandemic emergence, ongoing global conflicts, the resurgence of widespread fascism, and ecological destruction. This new album is a powerful reflection of these immense global and personal upheavals. Calls from a Seething Edge questions whether an alternative to our destructive ways of operating is possible on a mass level or if they are an inescapable part of the human condition. Moving away from the ambient dreamscapes of her previous works, this album embraces a more epic and rhythmic approach, introducing elements of folk and industrial music. Each note is intentional, articulate, and exposed, creating a sonic journey that is both vast and intimate. This ambitious project features contributions from several talented musicians: Gregory C. Hagan (ex-Common Eider, King Eider, ex-Thomas Carnacki) provides viola solos that backbone and bookend the album. Derrick Vella, guitarist from Tomb Mold and Dream Unending, adds his prowess on acoustic guitar. Sam Foster (ex-Saros, ex-Weakling) contributes hand percussion and additional drum sampling. Ryan Honaker (Ionophore, Betterthief) enriches the sound with violin. Vincent van Veen (Kali Ra) brings depth with electric cello and upright bass. Ed Lloyd Grey adds texture with acoustic upright bass. Sammy Fielding of Ancient Owl Audio masterfully mixed the album, ensuring each layer of synth, horn, drum, choir, and string quartet could be fully realized. The enigmatic photography gracing the album's cover is by psychoanalyst, artist, and poet Terrance McLarnan. Mastering by frederic Arbour at Cyclic Law Mastering. Vinyl Edition: Limited to 100 copies in marbled black and white, and 100 copies in black in gatefold LP sleeve.
