Gorilla Mask - Mind Raid (2022) [Official Digital Download 24/48]

With this new release, the long-standing trio looks back on four album productions and nearly 13 years of performing together as a band under the direction of leader and saxophonist Peter Van Huffel, during which time they developed a unique sound and their distinctively wild and energetic approach to music. “Mind Raid” is however the first album created completely collaboratively by the band. During the pandemic lockdowns, the three members of Gorilla Mask came together with the intention of building new conceptual material derived from a more collective mindset. Through an intensive rehearsal process in which the band experimented with a variety of conceptual ideas and musical fragments, they combined these contrasting motifs into workable pieces and vehicles for improvisation, eventually resulting in full “compositions” comprising material from all members.

With this new release, the long-standing trio looks back on four album productions and nearly 13 years of performing together as a band under the direction of leader and saxophonist Peter Van Huffel, during which time they developed a unique sound and their distinctively wild and energetic approach to music. “Mind Raid” is however the first album created completely collaboratively by the band. During the pandemic lockdowns, the three members of Gorilla Mask came together with the intention of building new conceptual material derived from a more collective mindset. Through an intensive rehearsal process in which the band experimented with a variety of conceptual ideas and musical fragments, they combined these contrasting motifs into workable pieces and vehicles for improvisation, eventually resulting in full “compositions” comprising material from all members.

All tracks were edited and mixed by drummer Rudi Fischerlehner with the assistance and input of bassist Roland Fidezius and Van Huffel, as well as the extraordinary mastering engineer James Plotkin, who also put his special final touch on the production of this album. Although this fifth album by GORILLA MASK is highly representative of the pre-established high-energy thrash-jazz sound of this long-standing trio, it is also a gateway to a new era for this band: one that crosses a multitude of genres and brings together the strengths, backgrounds and influences of each band member with equal weight.

Tracklist
01. Three-Headed Monster
02. Mind Raid
03. Demon Durge
04. Do What We Can
05. RumbaDub
06. Centrifuge
07. Rotation