Steffen Weigand, exceptional drummer of instrumental heavy psych pioneers MY SLEEPING KARMA, has passed away yesterday morning. He lost his battle with a rare kind of cancer.
The four-piece band, of which Weigand was a founding member, posted the following, sad statement on their socials:
“Dear MSK Family,
we are devastated to inform you that our brother Steffen has passed away this morning surrounded by his loved ones. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his family.
We are heartbroken and have no more words right now.”
Alongside his band-family members, guitarist Seppi, bassist Matte Vandeven and soundboardist Norman Mehren, Steffen played an essential role as one of the most influential and crucial artists in the world of heavy psychedelia. His progressive drum style, from the band’s self-titled debut in 2006 through their heart-melting, 2022 album Atma, shaped an entire genre.
MY SLEEPING KARMA‘s A&R at Napalm Records, Sebastian Münch, comments on behalf of the record label and entire team behind the band: “We are deeply saddened to learn that Steffen Weigand, drummer of our band My Sleeping Karma passed away yesterday. Steffen was a wonderful person, friend and drumming genius. We will miss him immensely. We send our thoughts and deepest condolences to his family, band members and loved ones.“
Closing a seven-year gap since their latest studio album, Moksha, today, heavy hypnotic rock act MY SLEEPING KARMA celebrates their brand new album, entitled Atma, which is out now on Napalm Records.
From the album’s first tone, it’s immediately evident that Atma isn’t just another new MY SLEEPING KARMA record – it’s an infinite darkness, despair and sadness that furiously drives the German four-piece on studio album number six, marking the band’s darkest, most emotional and deep record to date.
In celebration of today’s release, MY SLEEPING KARMA have shared a new music video for the otherworldly single ‘Avatara’, which shines in synth post-rock grandeur that bridges majestic, exotic texture and mesmerizing dynamics!
Drummer Steffen states: “As many other sanskrit words Avatara has also several corresponding meanings. Avatara means the descent, the coming down, like the appearance itself. But it could also be used to describe an opportunity or the coming to light. In this sense Avatara is the perfect word to reveal our new album “Atma” and bring this finally to light.”
As many artists have experienced, the past two years hit the entire music and culture industry hard. But MY SLEEPING KARMA – they have truly faced the abyss. Formed almost 20 years ago as a strong bond of best friends with a steady line-up ever since, the band has amassed an incredibly successful back catalog of five highly acclaimed records and a live album in 2017, as well as extensive touring performances at sold-out venues and prestigious festivals that have marked them as one of the most well-respected instrumental post- and hypnotic rock bands within the heavy music community.
Atma describes the (absolute) self, the indestructible, eternal essence of the spirit, and is often translated as the “soul”. Sickness, death, and existential fear had brought the band to a point in music and life at which they were close to parting ways. But their will to survive has been recorded on Atma – a record the band wasn’t even sure would see the light of day when they started working on it back in 2017, and if it did, would’ve never been for industry sales, fame or success. Atma tells the story of their lives, processing the trauma of personal tragedies, deepest pain and fear of four best friends that have been going through their darkest days since their band existence.
Most of the six new album tracks near the 10-minute mark and excel in distinctive MY SLEEPING KARMA fashion – from crystal clear intros bursting into bittersweet melodies of vulnerable beauty to imposing soundspheres of mesmerizing heaviness with entrancing undercurrents. As Monster Magnet’s Dave Wyndorf once said, MY SLEEPING KARMA is ART – but their new, cathartic record not only captures the zeitgeist of the times, but leaves a little light for hope, love, beauty and strength amid all the ugly facets of our vulnerable lives.
“We´ve put a lot of time, effort and love into it and we are finally very happy it´s done.” The band says.“If you listen closely and open hearted, you might be able to hear and feel the sadness, the pain we´ve went throught. But more than ever there is also lots of hope, happiness and love.
This is one of the most important sentences the mental world repeats constantly since many years. “Every human being has always to choose between the two main emotions: Fear or Love.” So everybody should choose carefully as this decision(s) defines who you are.
We really hope this album is able spread some positive vibes, a bit of hope and – most improtant – love! Because in the end love is everything exists.
Much Love Norman, Seppi, Matte, Steffen”
Atma was produced, recorded and mixed by drummer Steffen at New Life Studios, and was mastered by Andreas Balaskas at Masterlab Studios in Berlin. The incredible album artwork has been created by Sebastian Jerke.
Purchase your album copy of Atma now at THIS LOCATION
MY SLEEPING KARMA Live: 12.08.2022 (BE) Kortrijk, Alcatraz Festival 13.08.2022 (PT) Moledo, Sonic Blast Festival
Closing a seven-year gap since their latest studio album, Moksha, July 29th will see heavy hypnotic rock masters MY SLEEPING KARMA return with their new album, entitled Atma, marking the band’s darkest, most emotional and deep record to date.
Most of the six new album tracks near the 10-minute mark and shine in distinctive MY SLEEPING KARMA fashion – from crystal clear, otherworldly intros bursting into bittersweet melodies of vulnerable beauty to imposing soundspheres of mesmerizing heaviness with entrancing undercurrents. From the album’s first tone, it’s immediately evident that Atma isn’t just another new MY SLEEPING KARMA record – it’s an infinite darkness, despair and sadness that furiously drives the German four-piece on studio album number six. As Dave Wyndorf once said, MY SLEEPING KARMA is ART – and their new, cathartic record not only captures the zeitgeist of the times, but leaves a little light for hope, love, beauty and strength amid all the ugly facets of our vulnerable lives.
Following the previously-released first single ‘Prema’, today MY SLEEPING KARMA have shared a music video for the haunting track ‘Mukti’. At just under seven minutes, it’s the shortest song off the band’s sixth studio album.
Says drummer Steffen about the new single: “In times when the majority of news seems to be negative, everyone can decide where to focus the attention. A universal law says that energy always follows attention. By directing our attention towards positive things, we can take the energy away from the negative. This is the way that each individual is able to make a small contribution to healing.
Mukti means liberation, letting go, experience of the highest peace and points exactly to this possibility of choice.”
As many artists have experienced, the past two years hit the entire music and culture industry hard. But MY SLEEPING KARMA – they have truly faced the abyss. Formed almost 20 years ago as a strong bond of best friends with a steady line-up ever since, the band has amassed an incredibly successful back catalogue of five highly acclaimed records and a live album in 2017, as well as extensive touring performances at sold-out venues and prestigious festivals that have marked them as one of the most well-respected instrumental post- and hypnotic rock bands within the heavy music community.
Atma describes the (absolute) self, the indestructible, eternal essence of the spirit, and is often translated as the “soul”. Sickness, death, and existential fear had brought the band to a point in music and life at which they were close to parting ways. But their will to survive has been recorded on Atma – a record the band wasn’t even sure would see the light of day when they started working on it back in 2017, and if it did, would’ve never been for industry sales, fame or success. Atma tells the story of their lives, processing the trauma of personal tragedies, deepest pain and fear of four best friends that have been going through their darkest days since their band existence.
“We already started working on the video content back in 2018. The world is full of hate, envy, fear and greed and it seems the competition never stops,” the band comments.
“Society is becoming more and more lost in a dog eat dog jungle, and back then we would have never thought that in 2022, it would be even worse. Besides the latest pandemic or the Russian/Ukrainian war, so many individuals are facing massive conflicts on a daily basis.
In the end, there´s always hope that the world will become better again, once mankind understands. Love is the key and peace starts inside of everyone. The video track ‘Prema’ tells that story and the entire album is all about this. “Atma” goes out with love to our dear families, friends and fans. Thanks for supporting us over the years and especially in the latest dark times.”
Atma was produced, recorded and mixed by drummer Steffen Weigand at New Life Studios, and was mastered by Andreas Balaskas at Masterlab Studios in Berlin. The album artwork has been created by incredibly talented artist Sebastian Jerke. You can pre-order Atma at THIS LOCATION
As many artists have experienced, the past two years hit the entire music and culture industry hard. But MY SLEEPING KARMA – they have truly faced the abyss. Formed almost 20 years ago as a strong bond of best friends with a steady line-up ever since, the band has amassed an incredibly successful back catalogue of five highly acclaimed records and a live album in 2017, as well as extensive touring performances at sold-out venues and prestigious festivals that have marked them as one of the most well-respected instrumental post- and hypnotic rock bands within the heavy music community.
Closing a seven-year gap since their latest studio album, Moksha, MY SLEEPING KARMA have announced the release their most emotional, deep, and darkest record to date, inspired by tragic events, on July 29, 2022 via Napalm Records.
The new album, entitled Atma, describes the (absolute) self, the indestructible, eternal essence of the spirit, and is often translated as the “soul”. Sickness, death, and existential fear had brought the band to a point in music and life at which they were close to parting ways. But their will to survive has been recorded on Atma – a record the band wasn’t even sure would see the light of day when they started working on it back in 2017, and if it did, would’ve never been for industry sales, fame or success. Atma tells the story of their lives, processing the trauma of personal tragedies, deepest pain and fear of four best friends that have been going through their darkest days since their band existence.
Today, MY SLEEPING KARMA have released the first single taken from Atma! ‘Prema’ excels with a wide sound spectrum ranging between hard-hitting rock moments, ambient vibes and synth post-rock grandeur that bridge majestic texture and fast-paced dynamics. Watch the haunting music video for ‘Prema‘, created by Johanna Amberg & Gabriel Sahm, now streaming here:
“We already started working on the video content back in 2018. The world is full of hate, envy, fear and greed and it seems the competition never stops,” the band comments.
“Society is becoming more and more lost in a dog eat dog jungle, and back then we would have never thought that in 2022, it would be even worse. Besides the latest pandemic or the Russian/Ukrainian war, so many individuals are facing massive conflicts on a daily basis.
In the end, there´s always hope that the world will become better again, once mankind understands. Love is the key and peace starts inside of everyone. The video track ‘Prema’ tells that story and the entire album is all about this. “Atma” goes out with love to our dear families, friends and fans. Thanks for supporting us over the years and especially in the latest dark times.”
Most of the six new album tracks near the 10-minute mark and shine in distinctive MY SLEEPING KARMA fashion – from crystal clear, otherworldly intros bursting into bittersweet melodies of vulnerable beauty to imposing soundspheres of mesmerizing heaviness with entrancing undercurrents. From the album’s first tone, it’s immediately evident that Atma isn’t just another new MY SLEEPING KARMA record – it’s an infinite darkness, despair and sadness that furiously drives the German four-piece on studio album number six. As Dave Wyndorf once said, MY SLEEPING KARMA is ART – and their new, cathartic record not only captures the zeitgeist of the times, but leaves a little light for hope, love, beauty and strength amid all the ugly facets of our vulnerable lives.
Atma was produced, recorded and mixed by drummer Steffen Weigand at New Life Studios, and was mastered by Andreas Balaskas at Masterlab Studios in Berlin. The album artwork has been created by incredibly talented artist Sebastian Jerke. The pre-sale of Atma has just started at THIS LOCATION, the album will be available in various formats.
Please welcome MY SLEEPING KARMA`s first live record of their decade long career: Mela Ananda – Live! This is wildly appropriate!
If you’ve been lucky enough to be a part of the live experience that this German four-piece unleashes, you’ll agree that the concert atmosphere provides a healthy dose of enchantment for their much-loved brand of psychedelic rock.
This 8 page digipack also includes a very special bonus DVD „Let´s give it a try” (video documentary of 10 years of MY SLEEPING KARMA) and My Sleeping Karma live at Rockpalast in Cologne with the following track listing:
Reckless heavy rock and multi-layered melodies to make you groove, freak out and dream away – whether you`re sweating in a tightly packed club or listening to Mela Ananda – Live on your headphones, these instrumental wizards. will bring light into even the darkest of souls!
The incredible detailed artwork is the great work of Sebastian Jerke. Mela Ananda – translates directly to “a gathering of bliss” – will be released on February 24th 2017 via Napalm Records.
German quartet MY SLEEPING KARMA are back with their fifth studio album “Moksha.” The band considers this album, their strongest record to date. The sound and tone of the album perfectly fits into the Instrumental Progressive – and Ambient Post Rock realms.
From the start the listener is kidnapped by the spherical sound, between enormous atmospheric compositions with pure rock riffs and psychedelic melodies perfectly intertwined into this scenery.
Immerse yourself, both with the risk of completely losing yourself in this brand new masterpiece, because you might not be able to emerge again. Perhaps you don’t want to…
Find the cover, release dates, track listing & available formats below:
Formats:
Digipack
2LP Gatefold Edition (Black & Limited Color Editions)
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