Feel the pulsating heart of AUTARKH‘s sonic universe as they unveil the official drum playthrough of Strife, the electrifying lead single from their avant-garde, 2023 masterpiece, Emergent. Witness drummer Jasper Barendregt’s technical prowess and intricate rhythmic alchemy in this enthralling in-studio recording.
In the deft hands of Barendregt, Strife becomes a tempest of triplets, polyrhythmic grooves, and invigorating half-time riffs. Here’s a glimpse into Jasper’s ecstatic state of rhythmic exploration:
“Strife’ has always been one of my favorite tracks off of ‘Emergent’. As a drummer, I have to mediate a balance between flow, layered coordination and a ‘mechanical push’ that drives this song.
This drum arrangement is full of triplets spaced in 4’s and 7’s within 4/4, that – along with the slower pacing and tempo – make for some heavy polyrhythmic half-time grooves. I wanted to capture this as representative as possible of how this sounds live, so what you see and hear is an unedited single one-shot take, recorded a few days before our January 2025 tour kicked off.
Lastly, I think that taking the added risk of closing out the song with a short drum improv makes for an exciting watch!“
Emergent, the follow-up to AUTARKH‘s critically acclaimed debut Form In Motion, marks an evolution in their sound—bridging sonic extremes and unearthing dynamic harmonies. AUTARKH‘s intricate compositions on Emergent weave the awe-inspiring characteristics of their debut while navigating through newfound landscapes of emotional resonance and intensity.
Michel Nienhuis and David Luiten’s compositions capture the capriciousness and unease of the band’s first album, now imbued with a diverse and radiant imprint. Explore the mesmerizing symphony of contrasts and embrace the inner self, illuminated through breathtaking vocal harmonies and bold sonic textures.
Autarkh are locked in a state of constant evolution. After the dissolution of Dodecahedron, in 2019, frontman Michel Nienhuis assembled a new band of innovators for his blackened, electro-shocked vision of the future on Autarkh’s debut Form in Motion. Just last year, the contemporary metal band pushed their cybernetic view on the digital age to even greater extremes.
“It is even safe to say that the Autarkh that exists on Emergent is not the same Autarkh that existed on Form in Motion”, No Clean Singing wrote about their latest album, “…right when you’re able to put a pin in why you’re enjoying a particular segment of Emergent, Autarkh problem themselves off in a completely different direction with joyous abandon”.
The circularity that courses through Autarkh has even sparked two separate alter egos. Autarkh III re-imagines their cutting-edge contemporary metal as ambient drones, while Autarkh Collective is a fully improvised collaboration that features a revolving lineup around Nienhuis.
While their third album is already in its earliest test phases, before the band embarks on their first tour supporting Emergent, today, Autarkh are introducing two new members.
For the very first time, Autarkh will now feature a live drummer. Nienhuis’ old band mate Jasper Barendregt has earned a reputation as both a brutal metal drummer and a refined groove master during his time in Dodecahedron, Ulsect and Our Oceans. Adding him to the lineup will not only inject heart-pounding fervor to the band’s rhythm section but frees electronic wizard Tijnn Verbruggen to focus entirely on his dazzling synthetic textures and razor-sharp percussive layers.
“I find the synergy between these musicians inspiring, especially how it evolves new and existing cooperations”, Barendregt says. “Teaming up with Autarkh has been a logical and intuitive step for me. I appreciate the mutual trust, respect and admiration between these individuals, who also align with my hybrid live drumming experiments. It’s rewarding to work on new music as well as re-imagining work of Autarkh’s precursor, Dodecahedron, which I was part of from inception to disbandment”.
Unfortunately, former bassist Desmond Kuijk has left to focus on other priorities, but Autarkh have found a talented replacement. Max Blok is the bassist for the heavy rock band Dead Eyed Creek and live guitarist for Autarkh label mates and progressive metal scientists Alkaloid. He’s also worked as a session musician for Ruins of Beverast and Dark Fortress. His supercharged low-end will bring even more heft to the band’s industrial-sized riffs.
“It’s a pleasure to be working with people that are not afraid to try something different and keep re-inventing themselves in the process”, says Blok. “I’m grateful to be joining this group of very skilled musicians and composers”.
Autarkh will debut their new lineup live next year when they play a string of shows in The Netherlands and Belgium with Farer and Alkahest.
Emergent Live 2025
January 3 – Uden, NL @ De Pul w/ Farer & Alkahest [TICKETS] January 4 – Utrecht, NL @ DB’s w/ Farer & Anapoda [TICKETS] January 7 – Antwerp, BE @ Music City w/ Alkahest January 8 – Tilburg, NL @ Hall of Fame w/ Alkahest [TICKETS] January 9 – Groningen, NL @ Vera w/ Farer & Alkahest [TICKETS] January 10 – Apeldoorn, NL @ Gigant w/T.F.O. & Alkahest [TICKETS] January 12 – Haarlem, NL @ Patronaat w/ Farer & Alkahest [TICKETS] February 21 – Bergen Op Zoom, NL @ Gebouw-T w/ Farer & Alkahest [TICKETS] March 15 – Leiden, NL @ Resistor w/ Farer & Alkahest
AUTARKH is a group of music adventurers dedicated to pushing the boundaries of their artistic development. The contemporary metal outfit was founded in Tilburg (NL) by vocalist/guitarist Michel Nienhuis and can be seen as a development of the artistic vision of his previous band DODECAHEDRON. In 2019, Nienhuis teamed up with producer Joris Bonis (DODECAHEDRON, ULSECT), guitarist/producer David Luiten (INFERUM), bassist Desmond Kuijk (DEAR MOTHER) and electronics wizard Tijnn Verbruggen, musicians with backgrounds ranging from metal to techno.
The debut album Form In Motion (Season Of Mist, 2021) feels like an evolution from the two albums Nienhuis released with Dodecahedron. Musically, because of the radical approach the band takes with their rhythm section: IDM-style beats, glitch effects and percussion are perfectly balanced with crushing riffs and vocals that range from tormented screams to exciting harmonies. Lyrically, because the album is more about a personal experience of human nature and the nature of the universe.
Autarkh continues its approach of inner exploration on its sophomore full-length album Emergent. It delivers increased versatility and contrast, and sees the band expand towards more uplifting and consonant territories. On Emergent, composers Nienhuis’s and Luiten’s statements capture the same capriciousness and unease of Form In Motion, this time leaving a more open, diverse and radiant imprint.
Circularity has become a key component of how these musicians handle their artistic content. An alternative three- piece band called AUTARKH III was founded in 2021 wherein Luiten, Verbruggen and Nienhuis reimagine their work in a different musical context. AUTARKH III focuses on ambient and drone atmospheres, improvised sound collages and heavier down-tempo arrangements while experimenting with inverted storylines and rearranged AUTARKH themes. When the opportunity arose in 2023 to participate in a 100% improvised collaboration with Drone Assembly and Kypski during Best Kept Secret festival, another corner of the Autarkh universe was unlocked and ultimately led to the establishment of a free improv group with a varying line-up known as AUTARKH COLLECTIVE. The debut of this collective will be released in 2024.
Form In Motion explored the boundaries of sonic extremes; Autarkh III’s Roadburn Redux 2021 showed subtlety, introversion and contrast; and Emergent sheds a brighter light on the inner self and exposes it to the world with intensity and conviction. The group shows diversity and nuance while preserving their intense and razor-sharp edge. With performances at Roadburn festival (NL) in 2021 and 2022, Dutch television show Muziekstad and Hellfest (FR) in 2022, 4 releases in 4 years and numerous press features praising their artistic endeavors, the group shows their vivid imagination and serious work ethic – and they are just getting started.
Autarkh are currently working on their third studio album with a new lineup featuring Jasper Barendregt (ex-DODECAHEDRON) on drums and Max Blok (ALKALOID, DEAD EYED CREEK) on bass.
Line-up: Michel Nienhuis: vocals & guitars David Luiten: vocals & guitars Tijnn Verbruggen: synths & beats Jasper Barendregt: drums Max Blok: bass
Recording Studio: David Luiten Studio, Monodisc Studio, Moonbear Music & Engineering Mix/Master: David Luiten
AUTARKH already sounded like the future on their debut. But the Dutch contemporary metal band have pushed their distended view of the digital age to further extremes on their new album.
“It is even safe to say that the Autarkh that exists on Emergent is not the same Autarkh that existed on Form in Motion“, writes No Clean Singing. “…right when you’re able to put a pin in why you’re enjoying a particular segment of Emergent, Autarkh propel themselves off in a completely different direction with joyous abandon”.
Emergent comes out tomorrow Friday, November 10. But you can now stream the whole album on our YouTube channel.
Autarkh are known for hard-wiring extreme metal with glitchy electronics. Emergent still bristles with melodic dissonance and programmed beats. Lead single “Strife opens with drum pads that pound quietly, only to escalate into a towering chorus that’s spiked by a thousand megawatts of industrial-sized riffs.
But Emergent reveals a new and improved Autarkh. This album is bigger and brighter. “Open Focus” courses with hammering riffs, pixelated drum breaks and even an unfettered bass groove. After headbanging through another avalanche of a chorus, “Refocus” breaks into a crystal-clean vocal that’s backed by radiant harmonies.
There is a darker side to Emergent. “Duhkha” seethes with ominous sound effects that could’ve been ripped out of a slasher flick. “Clouded gaze, clouded aura / Left behind with my past self”, Nienhuis screams with vein-popping intensity, paying homage to former Dodecahedron band mate Michiel Eikenaar, who passed away in 2019. But through this battle with their inner demons, Autarkh find inner peace. Over a chugging beat and sky rocketing power chords, the band lift their voices to glistening new heights: “Remember all ye that existence is pure joy. Into the light”.
Autarkh might be from the future. But they’re still human after all.
“We are really happy that our new album Emergent is finally about to be officially released!”, says Autarkh. “We feel this is a next step in our artistic development – Emergent has a more open, diverse and radiant imprint and offers increased versatility compared to our debut Form In Motion. We sincerely hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we did making it!”
Autarkh are metal’s version of a perpetual motion machine. They’re constantly evolving, always tinkering, turning old spare parts into shiny new songs. Heck, they’ve even created their own alter ego as Autarkh III, which reimagines their cutting-edge contemporary metal as ambient drones.
Watch the band explain how they turned material from Dodecahedrom into their new album’s emphatic send-off and see the bigger picture for this process in Autarkh’s circular art model: https://www.ffca.nl/cam
Dutch contemporary metal adventurers Autarkh are back with their sophomore full-length album Emergent. Michel Nienhuis, founder of Autarkh and Dodecahedrom, teamed up again with guitarist/producer David Luiten (Inferum), bassist Desmond Kuijk (Dear Mother) and electronics wizard Tijnn Verbruggen to create the follow-up to their highly acclaimed debut album ‘Form In Motion’, released by Season Of Mist on 12 March 2021. Monica Kendrick (Chicago Reader, US) on the relevance of the group’s debut:
“And I’ll call it now: given the time to flourish and sink into the ears of an audience, Autarkh will become highly influential on the next generation of extreme metal.”
‘Emergent’ is another testament to Autarkh’s imagination and creativity. It delivers increased versatility and contrast, and sees the band expand towards more uplifting and consonant territories. Form In Motion explored the boundaries of sonic extremes; on ‘Emergent’, Autarkh broadens its horizon and shows diversity and nuance while preserving its intense and razor-sharp edge.
With nine tracks, ‘Emergent’ is a sonic exploration of the inner universe where all things light and dark can be encountered. The listener is lured into an “Open Focus” (a meditative state of mind) in preparation for an inward journey along the physical energy centers. From the thumping synth basses of “Strife” and the menacing sludgy melancholy of “Duhkha”, we move into the bewildering blasts of “Trek”, where stellar harmonies will eventually burst through the oppressive atmosphere. The trip continues with the crushing downtempo groove that enforces “Refocus”, as well as the mind-bending a capella interlude “Aperture” and the frivolous “Eye Of Horus” and “Countless Kaleidoscopes”, to finally deliver all-encompassing enlightenment with Ka.
Composers Nienhuis’s and Luiten’s statements and states of mind capture the same capriciousness and unease of ‘Form In Motion’, this time leaving a more open, diverse and radiant imprint. With exciting vocal harmonies, bold contrasts and a vivid imagination, Autarkh sheds a bright light on the inner self and exposes it to the world with intensity and conviction. That makes Emergent an evocative release with a multilayered yet crystal-clear production that promises a bright future for Autarkh.
Line-up: Michel Nienhuis: vocals & guitars David Luiten: vocals & guitars Desmond Kuijk: bass Tijnn Verbruggen: synths & beats
Recording Studio: David Luiten Studio, Monodisc Studio, Moonbear Music & Engineering Mix/Master: David Luiten
AUTARKH venture into a bigger, brighter and more uplifting headspace on their new album. On the first two singles off Emergent, the Dutch contemporary metal band tapped in to supercharged industrial-sized riffs and even clean, radiant harmonies. But their new single “Duhkha” finds them struggling to hold onto that serene state of mind.
Watch the tormented lyric video for “Duhkha”, which was created by Spread Motion Design.
“‘Duhkha’ shows a darker side of the journey on ‘Emergent'”, says Autarkh. The song opens with eerie feedback and ominous sound effects that could’ve been ripped out of a slasher flick. Meanwhile, the band’s founder Michel Nienhuis screams with vein-popping intensity about being consumed then thrown into an inferno.
The darkness that hangs like a shroud over “Duhkha” comes from a personal place. “Clouded gaze, clouded aura / Left behind with my past self”, Nienhuis cries out, his final words before a tidal wave of battering electronic drums and gloomy dissonance pulls him under.
“The final part of this song reflects an unreleased DODECAHEDRON song that was written as an homage to my former band mate Michiel Eikenaar, who passed away in 2019”.
Dutch contemporary metal adventurers Autarkh are back with their sophomore full-length album Emergent. Michel Nienhuis, founder of Autarkh and Dodecahedrom, teamed up again with guitarist/producer David Luiten (Inferum), bassist Desmond Kuijk (Dear Mother) and electronics wizard Tijnn Verbruggen to create the follow-up to their highly acclaimed debut album ‘Form In Motion’, released by Season Of Mist on 12 March 2021. Monica Kendrick (Chicago Reader, US) on the relevance of the group’s debut:
“And I’ll call it now: given the time to flourish and sink into the ears of an audience, Autarkh will become highly influential on the next generation of extreme metal.”
‘Emergent’ is another testament to Autarkh’s imagination and creativity. It delivers increased versatility and contrast, and sees the band expand towards more uplifting and consonant territories. Form In Motion explored the boundaries of sonic extremes; on ‘Emergent’, Autarkh broadens its horizon and shows diversity and nuance while preserving its intense and razor-sharp edge.
With nine tracks, ‘Emergent’ is a sonic exploration of the inner universe where all things light and dark can be encountered. The listener is lured into an “Open Focus” (a meditative state of mind) in preparation for an inward journey along the physical energy centers. From the thumping synth basses of “Strife” and the menacing sludgy melancholy of “Duhkha”, we move into the bewildering blasts of “Trek”, where stellar harmonies will eventually burst through the oppressive atmosphere. The trip continues with the crushing downtempo groove that enforces “Refocus”, as well as the mind-bending a capella interlude “Aperture” and the frivolous “Eye Of Horus” and “Countless Kaleidoscopes”, to finally deliver all-encompassing enlightenment with Ka.
Composers Nienhuis’s and Luiten’s statements and states of mind capture the same capriciousness and unease of ‘Form In Motion’, this time leaving a more open, diverse and radiant imprint. With exciting vocal harmonies, bold contrasts and a vivid imagination, Autarkh sheds a bright light on the inner self and exposes it to the world with intensity and conviction. That makes Emergent an evocative release with a multilayered yet crystal-clear production that promises a bright future for Autarkh.
Line-up: Michel Nienhuis: vocals & guitars David Luiten: vocals & guitars Desmond Kuijk: bass Tijnn Verbruggen: synths & beats
Recording Studio: David Luiten Studio, Monodisc Studio, Moonbear Music & Engineering Mix/Master: David Luiten
AUTARKH are known for hard-wiring extreme metal with glitchy electronica and IDM beats. But on the lead single from their new album, the Dutch band proved that they were human after all.
Where “Strife” found Autarkh locked in a battle with their inner demons, the new single off ‘Emergent’ reaches for inner peace.
“”Refocus” is the fifth track on ‘Emergent’, says guitarist and lead vocalist Michel Nienhuis. “It revolves around the will to return to the serene state of mind that opens the album”.
Watch the intense performance video for “Refocus” HERE, which was filmed, edited and animated by Spread Motion Design.
‘Emergent comes out November 10. Pre-order the album HERE. Pre-saveit HERE.
“Refocus” is still heavy. The song opens with a hammering computerized beat and riffs that chug with all the industrialized heft of an oil drill. Death growls stew in the air like flies, as if warning of what’s to come. It’s chaotic and overwhelming, almost too much to even bare. But after headbanging their way through another avalanche of a chorus, Autarkh break free. “The splendor of wholeness reinstated”, Nienhuis sings, backed by radiant harmonies.
“The clean vocals in Refocus were one of the hardest parts for me to record”, says Nienhuis. “But I’m really happy with how they turned out”.
Dutch contemporary metal adventurers Autarkh are back with their sophomore full-length album Emergent. Michel Nienhuis, founder of Autarkh and Dodecahedrom, teamed up again with guitarist/producer David Luiten (Inferum), bassist Desmond Kuijk (Dear Mother) and electronics wizard Tijnn Verbruggen to create the follow-up to their highly acclaimed debut album ‘Form In Motion’, released by Season Of Mist on 12 March 2021. Monica Kendrick (Chicago Reader, US) on the relevance of the group’s debut:
“And I’ll call it now: given the time to flourish and sink into the ears of an audience, Autarkh will become highly influential on the next generation of extreme metal.”
‘Emergent’ is another testament to Autarkh’s imagination and creativity. It delivers increased versatility and contrast, and sees the band expand towards more uplifting and consonant territories. Form In Motion explored the boundaries of sonic extremes; on ‘Emergent’, Autarkh broadens its horizon and shows diversity and nuance while preserving its intense and razor-sharp edge.
With nine tracks, ‘Emergent’ is a sonic exploration of the inner universe where all things light and dark can be encountered. The listener is lured into an “Open Focus” (a meditative state of mind) in preparation for an inward journey along the physical energy centers. From the thumping synth basses of “Strife” and the menacing sludgy melancholy of “Duhkha”, we move into the bewildering blasts of “Trek”, where stellar harmonies will eventually burst through the oppressive atmosphere. The trip continues with the crushing downtempo groove that enforces “Refocus”, as well as the mind-bending a capella interlude “Aperture” and the frivolous “Eye Of Horus” and “Countless Kaleidoscopes”, to finally deliver all-encompassing enlightenment with Ka.
Composers Nienhuis’s and Luiten’s statements and states of mind capture the same capriciousness and unease of ‘Form In Motion’, this time leaving a more open, diverse and radiant imprint. With exciting vocal harmonies, bold contrasts and a vivid imagination, Autarkh sheds a bright light on the inner self and exposes it to the world with intensity and conviction. That makes Emergent an evocative release with a multilayered yet crystal-clear production that promises a bright future for Autarkh.
Line-up: Michel Nienhuis: vocals & guitars David Luiten: vocals & guitars Desmond Kuijk: bass Tijnn Verbruggen: synths & beats
Dutch extreme metal outfit AUTARKH are now unveiling the very first track ‘Strife’, which is taken from the upcoming album “Emergent”. This new industrial offering will be released via Season of Mist underground activists on November 10, 2023. The intense, glitchy music video can now be viewed via the official Season of Mist YouTube channel HERE.
AUTARKH comments on the track: ”Strife shows a different direction we take on Emergent: a more straightforward approach where specific atmospheres rather than the density and intensity of Form In Motion are emphasized. Guitarist David Luiten has done an outstanding job writing this track. The remarkable guitar theme – that we reused in the AUTARKH III song Lost In Sight – captivated me instantly when I heard the original version (for a different project) in 2020, and led to this AUTARKH version that we are delighted to share with you today!’’
Pre-orders for “Emergent” are now available via the Season of Mist shop HERE – Pre-save “Emergent” HERE
Dutch contemporary metal adventurers AUTARKH are back with their sophomore full-length album Emergent. Michel Nienhuis, founder of AUTARKH and DODECAHEDRON, teamed up again with guitarist/producer David Luiten (INFERUM), bassist Desmond Kuijk (DEAR MOTHER) and electronics wizard Tijnn Verbruggen to create the follow-up to their highly acclaimed debut album Form In Motion, released by Season Of Mist on 12 March 2021. Monica Kendrick (Chicago Reader, US) on the relevance of the group’s debut:
“And I’ll call it now: given the time to flourish and sink into the ears of an audience, Autarkh will become highly influential on the next generation of extreme metal.”
Emergent is another testament to AUTARKH’s imagination and creativity. It delivers increased versatility and contrast, and sees the band expand towards more uplifting and consonant territories. Form In Motion explored the boundaries of sonic extremes; on Emergent, AUTARKH broadens its horizon and shows diversity and nuance while preserving its intense and razor-sharp edge.
With nine tracks, Emergent is a sonic exploration of the inner universe where all things light and dark can be encountered. The listener is lured into an Open Focus (a meditative state of mind) in preparation for an inward journey along the physical energy centres. From the thumping synth basses of Strife and the menacing sludgy melancholy of Duhkha, we move into the bewildering blasts of Trek, where stellar harmonies will eventually burst through the oppressive atmosphere. The trip continues with the crushing downtempo groove that enforces Refocus, as well as the mind-bending a capella interlude Aperture and the frivolous Eye Of Horus and Countless Kaleidoscopes, to finally deliver all-encompassing enlightenment with Ka.
Composers Nienhuis’s and Luiten’s statements and states of mind capture the same capriciousness and unease of Form In Motion, this time leaving a more open, diverse and radiant imprint. With exciting vocal harmonies, bold contrasts and a vivid imagination, AUTARKH sheds a bright light on the inner self and exposes it to the world with intensity and conviction. That makes Emergent an evocative release with a multilayered yet crystal-clear production that promises a bright future for AUTARKH.
Line-up: Michel Nienhuis: vocals & guitars David Luiten: vocals & guitars Desmond Kuijk: bass Tijnn Verbruggen: synths & beats
Recording Studio: David Luiten Studio, Monodisc Studio, Moonbear Music & Engineering Mix/Master: David Luiten
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