For nearly 15 years, the well-known Irish four-piece God Is Astronaut has held a firm grip on its throne as one of the leading flagbearers of dreamy post rock. With its fusion of intense rock instrumentation, ethereal and emotionally tinged sonic dynamics and timeless melodies, it comes as no surprise that the group is constantly
For nearly 15 years, the well-known Irish four-piece God Is Astronaut has held a firm grip on its throne as one of the leading flagbearers of dreamy post rock. With its fusion of intense rock instrumentation, ethereal and emotionally tinged sonic dynamics and timeless melodies, it comes as no surprise that the group is constantly mentioned in the same breath as its colleagues and genre standouts, such as Sigur Rós, Explosions In The Sky, Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Mogwai. Each of the group’s previous releases offers a picturesque sonic journey, with their latest opus, last year’s “Helios | Erebus”, definitely earning its place alongside the rest. Despite not being quite as hypnotic as some of their previous releases, instead utilizing a somewhat harder sound, the latest opus nonetheless encompasses the shimmering atmospherics, driving textural demolition and bitter joy, so valued by their most loyal fans.
With its seven studio albums and an EP released so far, and a broad audience of both electronic music aficionados and heavy guitar riff lovers, the Irish band’s sensuous and atmospheric musical magic easily brings different tastes together. Live, GIAA’s compositions are accompanied by extensive visuals, with each of their concerts an experience unto itself.
God Is An Astronaut was conceived in 2002 as a studio project by twin brothers Torsten and Niels. Despite significant interest from record labels, they preferred to start down an unimpeded creative path at their own Revive Records, surprising with their debut »The End of the Beginning« that same year. With the arrival of drummer Lloyd Hanney, a student of jazz legend Johnny Wadham, the rhythmically bolstered group transformed into a real A/V concert delight. Word of mouth spread fast, with the excellent second album »All Is Violent All Is Bright« yielding increased media exposure that carried the godly cosmonauts straight into the broad expanse of space, where they are still successfully sailing today.
Members:
Torsten Kinsella (guitars, keyboards, vocals, programming)
Neils Kinsella (bass)
Lloyd Hanney (drums)
Jamie Dean (piano, keyboards, vocals)
Discography:
The End Of The Beginning (2002)
All Is Violent, All Is Bright (2005)
A Moment Of Stillness – E.P. (2006)
Far From Refuge (2007)
God Is An Astronaut s/t (2008)
Age of the Fifth Sun (2010)
Origins” – Album (2013)
Helios I Erebus (2015)
Austrian post-rock collective Mountain from nearby Villach blends opulent sonic patterns and hefty bass lines in its instrumental music, weaving sonic landscapes that were first created over several years as a solo project by Phillipp Otte. Together with four likeminded musicians, sailing between post-rock and experimental and progressive music, the group is well on the way to the top of the mountain, as its excellent debut “Evolve” is about to be released.
Members:
Philipp Otte (guitar)
Francesco Tommasi Marcetti (guitar)
Dominic Raunigg (drums)
Christian Pobaschnig (keyboards)
Claudio Katholnig (bass)
