Exclusive track premiere of ‘Haḍḍa (Dhyāna)’ by Hashshashin, taken from the upcoming album, ‘Śaraṇaṃ,’ out November 10, 2023 via Art As Catharsis.

Hashshashin return with their new record Śaraṇaṃ – a lush and meditative record of hypnotic rhythms, cinematic post-rock, and Eastern musical traditions.

On ‘Śaraṇaṃ’ the Sydney-based trio weave three intricate compositions, drawing inspiration from artists like Secret Chiefs 3, Om and Grails as well as the classical and folk music of Afghanistan.

While still grounded in the band’s signature blend of odd time-signatures, psychedelia and transcendental drone, ‘Śaraṇaṃ’ demonstrates how the trio have evolved since their expansive sophomore album ‘Badakhshan’ (2019), which featured stringed instruments from across Tajikistan, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan in addition to bass and drums.

The new record reveals a more focused and cohesive sound, primarily centered on the Afghan rubab, which guitarist Lachlan R. Dale has spent much of the last five years studying. Each song embraces the sonic and dynamic possibilities of the ancient instrument, creating a mood that is both reflective and hypnotic, with evocative compositions that slowly transport listeners across deserts, small towns, and the Hindu Kush.

<a href="https://hashshashin.bandcamp.com/album/ara-a">Śaraṇaṃ by Hashshashin</a>

“I’ve fallen in love with the Afghan rubab,” says Lachlan. “I find myself drawn to it. Its sound has an intoxicating and trance-inducing quality, so it’s no wonder that it has had a place in mystical and shamanic practices of South-Central Asia. Specifically, I’ve been studying Afghanistan’s beautiful classical rubab tradition, which draws on Indian classical music, and is exemplified by artists like Ustad Mohammad Omar, Ustad Rahim Khushnawaz, and Homayoun Sakhi.”

This record also marks a change in production, with drummer Evan McGregor taking on mixing duties, providing the band more time to experiment and refine the sound of the album.

With ‘Śaraṇaṃ,’ Hashshashin continue to explore the possibilities of evocative, instrumental music, pushing beyond the bounds and limitations of post and progressive rock.

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Lachlan R. Dale Official Website