Only a very few original metal acts emerge each decade from the mass of bands that are stylistically easy to label. BOTANIST are both in musical and lyrical aspects one of those unique bands that are obviously different. Now, the act's eleventh full-length, "VIII: Selenotrope" is announced. On the eighth solo album by the project, and the first since "VI: Flora" (2014), mastermind Otrebor again sends sprigs into new sonic directions. Although the band's roots in black metal still shimmer through the dense foliage, this sprawling, straggling, blooming creation is an exuberantly growing, varied musical meditation. "The title "VIII: Selenotrope" refers to plants that flower in moonlight. BOTANIST's characteristic sound of the hammered dulcimer combines perfectly with now predominantly clean vocals that are often arranged into multi-layered choirs, resulting in an entangling, highly dynamic album that comes together in a singular piece of music seemingly taking influence from all avant-garde, progressive, experimental, post-metal, and other possible descriptions - the validity of which very much depends on each individual listener. "VIII: Selenotrope" is not made to fit into just one drawer." All songs of this project are told from the perspective of a protagonist called "The Botanist". He is characterised as a crazed man of science that lives in self-imposed exile, as far away from Humanity and its crimes against Nature as possible. In his sanctuary of fantasy and wonder, which he calls "The Verdant Realm", "The Botanist" surrounds himself with plants and flowers to find solace in the company of the natural world, while he envisions the destruction of mankind. Seated upon his throne of Veltheimia, "The Botanist" awaits the time of humanity's self-eradication, which will allow plants to cover planet Earth in green once again. BOTANIST's lyrics are equally informed by scientific nomenclature as they are inspired by Romantic-era poetry, art, and philosophy. In a striking departure from traditional metal instrumentation, Otrebor uses distorted hammered dulcimers instead of guitars All BOTANIST albums bearing Roman numbers are solo-recording by Otrebor., which includes "VIII: Selenotrope". After successfully working with Swedish mixing and mastering specialist Dan Swanö for the previous album "Photosynthesis", Otrebor decided to continue the collaboration for "VIII: Selenotrope". The result is a stunningly beautiful new branch in the BOTANIST evolution. Yet in an unexpected twist, "VIII: Selenotrope" blooms not only at night, but also shines as a radiant musical flower in broad daylight.
Tracklist:
1. Against the Selenic Light
2. Risen From the Rain
3. Epidendrum Nocturnum
4. Mirabilis
5. Angel's Trumpet
6. Selenotrope
7. Sword of the Night
8. The Flowering Dragon
Bonus tracks (artbook only):
1. Moonflower I
2. Moonflower II
3. Moonflower III
4. Moonflower IV
5. Moonflower V
6. Moonflower VI
7. Moonflower VII
8. Moonflower VIII
