INTRODUCING: Constellatia

The world of metal pretty much permeates into global society in one form or another in all cultures these days. North and South America, Europe, Russia, Australia and across Asia all have prominent bands and artists. The place we don’t often hear about when it comes to metal, is Africa. As a continent, we don’t often hear about the metal scene there and the culture it has to offer. Turning heads from Cape Town, South Africa is CONSTELLATIA, making a name for themselves with their DIY attitude and passion for making heavy, mystical music.

Comprised of Gideon Lamprecht [guitar/keys] and Keenan Oakes [bass/vocals] and in live preformances Lawrence Jaeger [drums] and Adam Hill [guitars] ,the group have worked in several bands together over the years. “CONSTELLATIA formed in September 2018,” Keenan explains. “We knew each other from as far back as 2009 as we had both [Gideon and Keenan] played in various bands over the years, and when our respective projects took a halt, we decided to form this band, and approach it in a very serious manner once we knew that there was a musical symbiosis.”

The duo have worked in numerous projects in the past in various styles of metal in CROW BLACK SKY and WILDERNESSKING. This time around, with their sights on creating something really special with their debut record The Language of Limbs. “We’ve been playing in bands for around 12-15 years now, and at this point we want to create the music that we want to hear most; music that is visceral, melodic, transcendental and romantic.”

Their debut record The Language of Limbs is a four-song album that incorporates a lot of post-metal and black metal styles. “We are happy with it, and for the most part it exceeded our expectations. We always knew what we wanted to do, so the fact that we were able to do just that and elevate it to some higher level, means that we couldn’t really ask for anything else. We wouldn’t change anything.”

The music is a mixture of sublime soundscapes and contrasting screams, echoing out across the melody. Sometimes it can be intense, relentless double bass coupling with vocal harmonies and droning guitars, or simple reverberating guitar melodies spattered with symbols. It’s a very unique take on the post metal sound, integrating elements of black metal that complement the often-sombre mood of the music. “We knew that we wanted to write a four song LP that touched on all of our favourite aspects of heavy music,” Keenan explains. “When it came to the writing process, we let it flow naturally, and didn’t try to force anything.”

There’s a real end goal in this project, with true passion and a desire to get that music out into the world. The Language of Limbs is the culmination of all the things CONSTELLATIA want to say on each song as a single entity, and as a collective album. “When we meet up to write, if we are starting a song from scratch, we will generally discuss what we feel the song needs to do, as a stand-alone song, and as part of the album’s journey. Then we assess and take it from there, one chord progression at a time.”

“We wanted to push ourselves and make the best debut we possibly could, and in doing so sign with a good label and tour, and ultimately make this a full-time vocation,” Keenan went on to say. “We also wanted to do something different by exploring creatively outside of the boundaries of metal in a way that blends seamlessly with the heavier side of the music.”

With the scene generally being small in South Africa, it’s often more difficult to get a consistent feel for diverse acts, both coming in and out of the area. It appears that there’s never been a better time for CONSTELLATIA to introduce themselves to the world. “We had some prominent acts come play down here over the last ten years,” Keenan tells us about how the music scene has developed. “However, there was probably more interest in the heavy scene in the 90s and 00s. Besides a few shows here and there, it seems like this is the quietest it’s ever been. There also aren’t many bands doing anything unusual.”

While there’s a sparce amount of metal music circulating, it allows for a more out there attitude to getting the music out to a live audience. “We like to organise shows at interesting venues- it can be a bit tricky if you’re looking to put on a metal show at a theatre for example, but because of our DIY ethic, we’re able to pull off most things. We know our audience.”

The best thing about CONSTELLATIA is that they really are bringing a fresh idea of what metal can be to South Africa. Their sound is at the forefront of modern metal tendencies, working in a more unnuanced ambient sound. To associate it with black metal is the most obvious genre to hand, but the cold north of black metals origins is a world away from the reality of Cape Town. Because of the nature of the music, it’s a vessel for exposing difficulties that the duo (and the audience) are feeling, but also an uplifting release. “From the outset we knew that we wanted our live show to be a transcendent experience, something both aural and visual. It’s a real cathartic ritual to perform these songs live, a deep cleanse. Audience members walking away with a similar feeling is probably the most rewarding thing. It’s a give and take scenario.”

The Language of Limbs (re-release) is out now via Season of Mist.

Like CONSTELLATIA on Facebook.