Doomed Confessionary: Jordan (Vessel)
Australian fuzz rock/stoner metal duo Vessel returns with »The Somnifer«, a concept album that draws influence from the underground stoner and doom scenes while delving into the aftermath of trauma and the enigmatic journey of the sleep-state. Written in reflective isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic, guitarist and songwriter Jordan used this time to explore his personal experiences with trauma, paralleling them with the mysterious nature of sleep.
The album captures the different mental stages one can pass through, from feelings of self-empowerment to existential dread. »The Somnifer« takes listeners on a journey that blends the drama of classic doom (Candlemass, Cathedral), cosmic psych explorations (All Them Witches, King Buffalo), and the aggression of hardcore and crossover scenes, with the timeless instrumental journey of classic heavy metal. »The Somnifer« will be released on November 1st, 2024 via Majestic Mountain Records.
Vessel consists of Jordan (guitar) and Mason (vocals, bass).
Can you say a few words about your band?
Vessel from Bendigo, Australia! We’ve morphed into a two-piece that play a hybrid of fuzz rock, stoner metal, heavy psych and doom, depending on whichever mood the song calls for!
What was the biggest challenge for the band?
Two main challenges are keeping a consistent lineup with a drummer (hence the two-piece) and also finding time to dedicate to the band with life’s challenges thrown in around me! Between the last album and our forthcoming album I’ve had two kids and a few other life changes just to keep me on my toes.
What can you be most proud of so far?
Our forthcoming album »The Somnifer«. It is the most personal and uncompromising thing I have ever done in my life. While it is an album totally for me, I hope that it can find an audience and people can take a look into my state of affairs and make a few connections. If not, that is ok because making it has been both so cathartic and so artistically rewarding that I wouldn’t change a thing!
What was your biggest regret?
Oooo, that’s tricky. I try not to live with regrets as I am happy where I am and all previous decisions got me here. Perhaps not buying a larger size in my fav Egypt shirt that no longer fits haha!
What was the best concert/tour so far and why?
Our last show was a memorable one but not really for the right reasons! It was the last weekend before the pandemic lockdowns in 2020, which put a real boot into our momentum at the time. It was great to have a chance to stay home and work on new music, but we haven’t picked it back up on the live front since due to a variety of other commitments.
What was the biggest surprise on the music scene for you?
The global stoner and doom scene online is amazingly friendly and mostly inclusive and positive. Sure, there are a few bad eggs, but by and large people are awesome. It is hard to believe some of the great relationships that we’ve formed and some of the super talented people that we have had the pleasure to collaborate with.
What is currently in your heavy musical rotation?
Black Pyramid have always been one of my fav bands from the stoner doom scene, so to have them back with a new album in 2024 has been a real highlight.
What was the best advice you’ve ever been given as a musician?
I find some of Rick Rubin’s quotes pretty inspiring. His spiel about music being a diary entry and no one being able to tell you that your diary entry is wrong, it’s powerful stuff. Hearing some of his advice like this really helped spur me along when creating the latest Vessel album the way I wanted to create it, rather than worry about how it would be received and perceived.
What are your guilty pleasures?
No shame, but I am a big 80s pop fan. Bronski Beat, Bananarama, Madonna, let’s go!
Can you say something more about current music scene in Bendigo / Victoria?
Bendigo in Victoria, Australia has a killer scene for a little regional city! I personally curate the best Australian stoner doom playlist on Spotify (check it out HERE), and I’m proud of how many Bendigo and Bendigo adjacent bands are actually on there. I’d encourage anyone to give that playlist some time as I’m sure you’ll find a new favourite band. The scene down here is rich and delicious!
Where can we see you live this year (concerts/tours)?
Nothing planned but we might pop up in ’25.
What are your plans for the future as a band?
Vessel is me on a plate (of coloured vinyl haha). While I’m breathing, I’ll be wanting to make music, and this project is a ‘vessel’ for my creativity. That is actually where the name came from. I needed an outlet for the music that I wanted to make without having to compromise too hard from other band mates etc, so I started my own thing. In the future, I’ll still be releasing music. Hopefully we will get back on a stage sometime, too! In the immediate future, our album »The Somnifer« drops on November 1st!
How can people best support your band?
Give us a listen, and if you like what you hear, get active with us on socials and join the conversations, share our music to your circles, and if you like to buy physical, check out what we have on offer!
Do you have any message for your listeners?
Thank you to anyone who has given us some of their time! There is a lot of art in the world today and if you’ve chosen to give your attention to ours, then that is amazing to me! Thank you!
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well