Sleepbomb’s new full-length album »The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari« out now via Koolarrow Records / Consouling Sounds!
San Francisco, California based doom/drone/post-metal band Sleepbomb has just unleashed their new full-length album »The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari« on November 3rd, 2023 via Koolarrow Records / Consouling Sounds.
Tracklist:
01. Intro
02. Act I
03. Act II
04. Act II (Interlude)
05. Act III
06. Act III (Interlude)
07. Act IV
08. Act V
09. Act VI
Courtesy of Discipline PR:
“What Sleepbomb has done for “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” borders on impossible because they are able to provide that special kind of grandezza and sparkle that such a movie needs yet never lacking the crunch and grip of a modern post-metal record.” – Veil Of Sound
“This mesmerizing creation delves into the world of silent cinema’s iconic masterpiece, reimagining its eerie charm and enigmatic narrative through the band’s lens.” – GBHBL
“Sleepbomb’s newest creation transports listeners into the haunting realms of German expressionist cinema, providing an auditory experience that’s as cinematic as it is musical.” – IDIOTEQ
Renowned for their enthralling musical landscapes and captivating live shows, Sleepbomb is proud to announce the release of their latest score album, »The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari« coming out this November 3 via Koolarrow Records / Consouling Sounds.
This mesmerizing creation delves into the world of silent cinema’s iconic masterpiece, reimagining its eerie charm and enigmatic narrative through the band’s lens. Featuring an evocative fusion of almost ghostly vocals, haunting synths, and intricate instrumentation, »The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari« score captures the film’s dark allure while adding a new dimension to its chilling tale.
Led by the collaborative efforts this score album showcases their unparalleled expertise in crafting music that intertwines seamlessly with visual storytelling. “When you’re working in such a genre, there’s always an aspect where your music, no matter how rough it might have been, is shaped by the dramatism of the picture,” Claire Hamard explains. “»The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari« is a movie I discovered as a teenager, and I was completely captivated by its gothic, chaotic, and highly expressive aesthetic. For this film in particular, I wanted to convey the strange beauty that emerges from it, over and above its sometimes disturbing or even terrifying aspect.”
Photos by Fred Aube
The filmic experience puts Sleepbomb’s music in a whole different context from “normal” shows. “We receive frequent feedback from audience members who have attended films that they had no idea who Sleepbomb was upon coming in.” – explains Tim Gotch, one of the core-members of the band: “And these people are amazed by the experience of seeing their favorite film in a new light with the recontextualized score. This is key to the Sleepbomb experience and key to growing a diverse fanbase outside of the metal scene.”
Produced by Greg Wilkinson and Sleepbomb, »The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari« became the result of what the members consider “meticulous collaboration” bringing the highest spirits from all of the consistent parts of Sleepbomb. “Our writing process involves iteration and back and forth, especially with how the music is working for the scene in question in regards to pacing and timing.” – underlines Tim. “Tempo is also huge, since each section needs to line up with the film correctly.” According to Tim: “Sleepbomb is scoring the picture, rather than just using the visuals to support the music. We’re always trying to have the music follow the flow of the scene, responding to action and eventual denouement. The record was complete in about 9 days, and Greg Wilkinson’s role in the studio was pivotal in achieving our goals with »The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari«.
Promising an immersive experience, Sleepbomb’s »The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari« explores the very essence of the film. From ethereal vocals to dissonant harmonies, from haunting synths to intricate instrumental layers, »The Cabinet Of Dr. Caligari« transports listeners to a world where sound and image merge creating a hypnotic journey.
Order the digipack version via Koolarrow Records / Consouling Sounds in EU HERE. The vinyl version would be available later this year – pre-order HERE. The release is available on Bandcamp HERE.
Biography:
Founded in 2003 as a casual ensemble project, Sleepbomb immediately gained recognition in San Francisco for performing improvised industrial/experimental scores to German Expressionist films like The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Metropolis. In 2004, the founding duo of Charles Hernandez and Mark Jones were joined by Chris Bishop (bass), Rob Johnson (drums), Tim Gotch (keyboards) and James Presley on the saw. After a short hiatus in 2013 and some lineup changes, Sleepbomb fully got back together in 2015.
Originally stylistically close to a chaotic version of Throbbing Gristle vs Black Sabbath, Sleepbomb has been exploring experimental sounds and forms, guided by the band’s love of Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Coil, Neurosis, Sunn 0))), Ulver and Swans, among others. Settling on a drone influenced style of doom metal as the overarching theme while exploring other genres as appropriate for each film’s particular style, Sleepbomb has performed full scores for the German expressionist classics Metropolis and Nosferatu as well as their signature score for Conan the Barbarian at the independent theaters, film festivals and art galleries of the SF Bay Area to national festivals like Litha Cascadia.
Line-up:
Charlie Hernandez: guitars, occasional vocals and percussion.
Tim Gotch: basses, synths, sound design, film editing, vocals.
Rob Johnson: drums and percussion.
Claire Hamard: vocals, synths, electronics, percussion.
Brown Hues: sound engineering and technical wizardry.
FFO: Neurosis, SWANS, Goodspeed You! Black Emperor
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well