In a prompt follow-up to THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET‘s DMP debut, “Miserere“, creative mastermind Jason Köhnen (BONG-RA, MANSUR, ex-THE KILIMANJARO DARKJAZZ ENSEMBLE) continues to explore the deepest abysses of Darkjazz on a new 7” EP.

“Black†White” features two shadowed and enigmatic tracks influenced by the spiritual free Jazz of Albert Ayler and Pharoah Sanders, the avant-Black Metal of BEHERIT, the Noise/Jazz/Death Metal supergroup PAINKILLER and the early work of Grindcore spearheads NAPALM DEATH.

Check out the trailer below.

Jason narrates the idea behind “Black†White“:

“Albert Ayler’s song ‘Ghosts‘ included the first blast beats I heard in Jazz. For me there is a lot of connection between free Jazz and Black Metal: the chaos, speed and noise. I hear a clear musical relationship between free Jazz, Black Metal and early Grindcore as well – they are all raw and primitive sounding. PAINKILLER is a perfect mix of these worlds. In this group, Mick Harris and John Zorn’s universes collide. The title “Black†White” in turn is based upon the hermetic principle of polarity. In this case it can also be seen as political, creative and/or philosophical statement. Polarities are a mental construct and are basically two extremes of the same concept. In this case, these two extreme genres are actually more connected in their sonic characteristics than they might seem at first glance. Polarization is more often used to divide (i.e. the well-known ‘divide and conquer’ concept), but I decided here to use it as a tool for unification.“

“Black†White” will be released via Debemur Morti Productions on March 10th. Pre-orders for the limited 7” EP start on February 3rd.

Tracklist:

01. Black
02. White

THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET is one of the many projects from multi-instrumentalist Jason Köhnen. Renowned for his previous projects BONG-RA or THE KILIMANJARO DARKJAZZ ENSEMBLE and THE MOUNT FUJI DOOMJAZZ CORPORATION.

Köhnen coined the term “Darkjazz” back in 1999 when he composed a track entitled ‘Darkjazz’ for his 2001 “Darkbreaks” EP. From that point embarking on a long musical journey into dark experimentations with the jazz sound palette in combination with a plethora of genres.

THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET was evoked after a void appeared with the ending of his other Darkjazz outlets, firstly TKDE and TMFDJC and then the short lived THE THING WITH FIVE EYES project which saw Köhnen’s first flirtations with Arabic scales and instruments, progressively transforming into his MANSUR project together with ex-PHURPA member Dmitry El Demerdashi and avantgarde metal THY CATAFALQUE vocalist Martina Hórvath.

Köhnen’s approach to his releases with THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET are to open the spectrum of Darkjazz in all its wonderful and mysterious facets. Seeing each release as a script and soundtrack to a different movie, setting a different pace and atmosphere and playing with unorthodox climaxes and atmospheres. The projects hosts a list of dedicated guest musicians, who all participate as the leading actors in these scripts, all playing a crucial role in the soundtracks of these non-existing movies.

THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET releases albums on Denovali Records and Debemur Morti Productions, in a way where the Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde part of this project comes to its best and most creative fruition.

Apart from the conceptual audio releases, THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET also navigates through the multi-disciplinary arts. The “In Memoriam” release saw a first in a series of short stories and audiobooks combined with an album. Future releases will see more art disciplines combined as a release.

Collaborating with visual artist Chariot Of Black Moth, THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET present a video for a third song from their forthcoming album. ‘Miserere [Opus II]-Domine‘ portrays a cacophony of deep, bleak and contemplative soundscapes oscillating between Darkjazz, Black Metal, ambient and noise elements. In combination with the diverse, yet constantly fearsome and grim vocal performance, ‘Domine’ evolves into one of the most abyssal tracks on “Miserere“.

Composer Jason Köhnen comments on the song and the collaboration with Chariot Of Black Moth:

“The term ‘Domine‘ in the song title, meaning master or Lord, refers to the personal submission which in most cases was part of religious doctrine. I knew of the artistic work of Chariot Of Black Moth and found it an incredible honor that he offered to make a clip, as I can expect he is a busy man. I find his work on this song amazing, it really accentuates the atmosphere. So, this was a very pleasant surprise!“

“Miserere” will be released on CD, vinyl and digitally via Debemur Morti Productions on October 7th. Pre-orders for the album including merch are possible via the label’s EU, US and Bandcamp stores.

THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET is one of the many projects from multi-instrumentalist Jason Köhnen. Renowned for his previous projects BONG-RA or THE KILIMANJARO DARKJAZZ ENSEMBLE and THE MOUNT FUJI DOOMJAZZ CORPORATION.

Köhnen coined the term “Darkjazz” back in 1999 when he composed a track entitled ‘Darkjazz‘ for his 2001 “Darkbreaks” EP. From that point embarking on a long musical journey into dark experimentations with the jazz sound palette in combination with a plethora of genres.

THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET was evoked after a void appeared with the ending of his other Darkjazz outlets, firstly TKDE and TMFDJC and then the short lived THE THING WITH FIVE EYES project which saw Köhnen‘s first flirtations with Arabic scales and instruments, progressively transforming into his MANSUR project together with ex-PHURPA member Dmitry El Demerdashi and avantgarde metal THY CATAFALQUE vocalist Martina Hórvath.

Köhnen‘s approach to his releases with THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET are to open the spectrum of Darkjazz in all its wonderful and mysterious facets. Seeing each release as a script and soundtrack to a different movie, setting a different pace and atmosphere and playing with unorthodox climaxes and atmospheres. The projects hosts a list of dedicated guest musicians, who all participate as the leading actors in these scripts, all playing a crucial role in the soundtracks of these non-existing movies.

THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET releases albums on Denovali Records and Debemur Morti Productions, in a way where the Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde part of this project comes to its best and most creative fruition.

Apart from the conceptual audio releases, THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET also navigates through the multi-disciplinary arts. The “In Memoriam” release saw a first in a series of short stories and audiobooks combined with an album. Future releases will see more art disciplines combined as a release.

Allowing a second glimpse into the forthcoming album, THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET unveil the new composition ‘Miserere [Opus III]-Sanctum’. The song is defined by sorrowful instrumentation and the expressive as well as versatile female vocals of Jason Köhnen’s long-time collaborative partner Lilian Tong. By adding eerie and sinister saxophone, noise and ambient elements, the track transforms itself from a neoclassical piece into a Jazz noir mélange. Composer Jason Köhnen narrates on the conceptual background:

“The song opens with a lamentation and gradually progresses to repentance and the penitence of sin. With this composition I tried to transpose religious expressions into a specific musical journey … a confessional journey of a heretic. I composed the classical part and instructed Lilian Tong on the theme and emotion for the song. She is singing a specific part of Psalm 51 which reflects on the concept of the ‘Sanctum’ piece. As a classical trained soprano, Lilian is incredibly fine to work with, she really understands the vocal desperation needed for this song.“

The images used to create the clip stem from the 1928 classic French silent movie, “The Passion Of Joan Of Arc / Le Passion de Jeanne D’Arc“. Jason comments:

“When I was composing this song, I had the images of this film as inspiration. There is an intense lingering sadness, denigration and degradation in this movie that weighs really heavy. It carries this profound load of injustice and suffering … but in the end the relief and the acceptance of death for staying true to one’s convictions. It’s incredibly bittersweet and tells that same story of repentance which is the concept of ‘Miserere’. There is nothing more powerful than someone willing to die for their beliefs and their convictions. The earthly suffering for universal truths.”

“Miserere” will be released on CD, vinyl and digitally via Debemur Morti Productions on October 7th. Pre-orders for the album are possible via the label’s EU, US and Bandcamp stores.

THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET is one of the many projects from multi-instrumentalist Jason Köhnen. Renowned for his previous projects BONG-RA or THE KILIMANJARO DARKJAZZ ENSEMBLE and THE MOUNT FUJI DOOMJAZZ CORPORATION.

Köhnen coined the term “Darkjazz” back in 1999 when he composed a track entitled ‘Darkjazz‘ for his 2001 “Darkbreaks” EP. From that point embarking on a long musical journey into dark experimentations with the jazz sound palette in combination with a plethora of genres.

THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET was evoked after a void appeared with the ending of his other Darkjazz outlets, firstly TKDE and TMFDJC and then the short lived THE THING WITH FIVE EYES project which saw Köhnen‘s first flirtations with Arabic scales and instruments, progressively transforming into his MANSUR project together with ex-PHURPA member Dmitry El Demerdashi and avantgarde metal THY CATAFALQUE vocalist Martina Hórvath.

Köhnen‘s approach to his releases with THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET are to open the spectrum of Darkjazz in all its wonderful and mysterious facets. Seeing each release as a script and soundtrack to a different movie, setting a different pace and atmosphere and playing with unorthodox climaxes and atmospheres. The projects hosts a list of dedicated guest musicians, who all participate as the leading actors in these scripts, all playing a crucial role in the soundtracks of these non-existing movies.

THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET releases albums on Denovali Records and Debemur Morti Productions, in a way where the Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde part of this project comes to its best and most creative fruition.

Apart from the conceptual audio releases, THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET also navigates through the multi-disciplinary arts. The “In Memoriam” release saw a first in a series of short stories and audiobooks combined with an album. Future releases will see more art disciplines combined as a release.

THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET‘s forthcoming album, “Miserere“, is the deepest, bleakest, most contemplative emission to-date from prolific composer Jason Köhnen (CELESTIAL SEASON, BONG-RA, MANSUR, ex-THE KILIMANJARO DARKJAZZ ENSEMBLE). This mesmerizing new long player is the devilish counterpart to the operatic chamber jazz-noir of 2021’s “In Memoriam” and the aural embodiment of the artist’s research into philosophy, antiquity, mythology and hermeticism.

Tracklist:

01. Miserere [Opus I]-Occulta
02. Miserere [Opus II]-Domine
03. Miserere [Opus III]-Sanctum
04. Miserere [Opus IV]-Sacrificium
05. Miserere [Opus V]-Humiliatum
06. Miserere [Opus VI]-Libera

The music on “Miserere” was composed and produced by Jason Köhnen. James Plotkin (AMENRA, ELECTRIC WIZARD, OLD MAN GLOOM) took care of the mastering. The front cover painting, ‘Kathleen‘ by David Jagger, was re-worked by Jason Köhnen.

Allowing a first glimpse into the coming long player, THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET unveil the album’s opener. ‘[Opus I]-Occulta‘ carefully assembles the musical ingredients for a classic Requiem à la Verdi with avantgarde and noisy tunes. Slowly and thoughtfully evolving, the harsh and grim temper of Black Metal interwoven with a subtle noir atmosphere and the grandeur of neo classical arrangements define the five-minute-long composition.

Check the song below on the label’s YouTube channel or via Bandcamp:

Jason Köhnen narrates about the conceptual idea behind song and album:

“The song (and album) started as a conceptual idea. There are two angles in how I approached writing the album. Firstly, taking the concept of Psalm 51, and translating this to create my own prayers of repentance. It needed to omit a sinister and claustrophobic atmosphere, and reflect the sound of burning heretics. The lyrics are naturally also derived from Psalm 51, also known as the penitential psalms. Fascinating to have a concept that inflicts punishment on oneself as an expression of repentance for wrongdoing, I found this a marvellous starting point for composing music with which I could reflect my personal thoughts on the concept in question. Secondly, I wanted to continue my explorations into the realms of Darkjazz. Having experimented with the subgenre for nearly 20 years now, this needed to be the darkest of the dark. A music piece written for inquisitions. I purposely did not want distorted guitars as the foundation to the tapestry of the music, but it did need something similar, so I worked to create the menacing synth that replaces the typical guitar distortion. This also gives the album it’s signature sound, and the synth is a bit more flexible for creating specific atmospheres. I wanted to produce an album that is incomparable with any other album, and I’m quite satisfied that it reached a certain level of originality. All in all, the overall atmosphere has managed to create a pretty interesting musical landscape. Tomás de Torquemada would surely have approved.“

“Miserere” will be released on CD, vinyl (including an exclusive DMP edition) and digitally via Debemur Morti Productions on October 7th. Pre-orders for the album are possible via the label’s EU, US and Bandcamp stores.

THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET is one of the many projects from multi-instrumentalist Jason Köhnen. Renowned for his previous projects BONG-RA or THE KILIMANJARO DARKJAZZ ENSEMBLE and THE MOUNT FUJI DOOMJAZZ CORPORATION.

Köhnen coined the term “Darkjazz” back in 1999 when he composed a track entitled ‘Darkjazz‘ for his 2001 “Darkbreaks” EP. From that point embarking on a long musical journey into dark experimentations with the jazz sound palette in combination with a plethora of genres.

THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET was evoked after a void appeared with the ending of his other Darkjazz outlets, firstly TKDE and TMFDJC and then the short lived THE THING WITH FIVE EYES project which saw Köhnen‘s first flirtations with Arabic scales and instruments, progressively transforming into his MANSUR project together with ex-PHURPA member Dmitry El Demerdashi and avantgarde metal THY CATAFALQUE vocalist Martina Hórvath.

Köhnen‘s approach to his releases with THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET are to open the spectrum of Darkjazz in all its wonderful and mysterious facets. Seeing each release as a script and soundtrack to a different movie, setting a different pace and atmosphere and playing with unorthodox climaxes and atmospheres. The projects hosts a list of dedicated guest musicians, who all participate as the leading actors in these scripts, all playing a crucial role in the soundtracks of these non-existing movies.

THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET releases albums on Denovali Records and Debemur Morti Productions, in a way where the Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde part of this project comes to its best and most creative fruition.

Apart from the conceptual audio releases, THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET also navigates through the multi-disciplinary arts. The “In Memoriam” release saw a first in a series of short stories and audiobooks combined with an album. Future releases will see more art disciplines combined as a release.