Two years on from the release of Naphta‘s first album (one of 2016’s hidden gems), the Polish producer teams up with Astigmatic Records for his second album, Naphta & The Shamans.
This second project sees Naphta move away from the gifted samples used on his debut album, and finds him turning to live instruments, including electric and bass guitar, percussion, keys and drum machines.
Despite his shift from sampling, influences from African, jazz and electronic music can still be heard, but these are secondary to the prominent presence of psychedelic rock.
Today we’re delighted to premiere ‘Crystal Lizard’ one of our favourite tracks from the upcoming release.
Speaking about ‘Crystal Lizard’ Naphta explains “it was fairly simple song at the beginning, but his guitar harmonies in first part elevated it way beyond my expectations. When I started working on it, it was a little bit too melancholic, so we’ve built the dubbing part in the middle. My piano parts were heavily inspired by the way that Marek Pędziwiatr (EABS) plays – they don’t call him “Magic Mark” for no reason! The title is a tribute to annoying yet useful bastards from Dark Souls franchise. “
The album also features incredible cover art, created by designer Zbiok Czajkowski who had this to say, “I wanted something that would connect with psychedelia and also give a nod to kitsch. Something along the lines of an Iron Maiden cover, specifically World of Warhammer 40K, fantasy.”
Look out for the album out later this month, but for now, stream the new track up below!
Tracklisting:
1. Dim Daybreak
2. Endurance
3. Thom’s Beach
4. Jungle of Doom
5. Crystal Lizard
6. Frozen Paths
7. Stalking Knights
8. Firelink Shrine
9. Explorer’s Judgment
10. Pale Dusk
