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Archaic visions


Action: WAZZARA
Title: Ombreine
Base: Zurich • Switzerland
Style: Blackgaze/Post Metal
Genre: Ambient, Blackgaze, Atmospheric Metal, Post Metal, Dark Metal
FFO: Agalloch, Paradise Lost, The Gathering
Type: EP
Format: CD
Label: Independent
Release: April 30, 2023

Bulletpoints:
🔘 EP of the enchanting Swiss act
🔘 Dreamy Post Metal with Doom & Blackgaze influences
🔘 Completely unique style & aura




In the hauntingly evocative strains of "visiûne", WAZZARA beckons us into an ancient, archaic vision of a visionary, foreseeing millennia steeped in misogyny and stifling of creative thriving. The very name, derived from Old German, speaks volumes: "vision."

"visûne" is part of the Swiss blackgazer’s EP "Ombreine", released in April 2023. For the visualization, the band teamed up with the creators of eyedo.media.


[ Produced by Jan Sung-Kuy Kroeni & Katharina S. Kadler ]

Singer Babs explains about the lyrical background of "visiûne":
"The song unravels the tale of a spirit silenced and constrained, burdened by the weight of tradition. It resonates with the resilience of those who have fought against the currents of conformity, seeking to break free from the shackles that bound them. 'visiûne' stands as a reminder that the pursuit of unfettered self-expression knows no bounds and is dedicated to the enduring spirit of those who, against all odds and impending persecution, dared to dream and create."




[ Produced & edited by Barbara Brawand • Partly filmed by George Necola ]


With their very own version of "Guggisberglied" WAZZARA can touch deeply and lastingly. A Swiss folk song first mentioned in 1741. Originally scored in Bernese German (one of the Swiss idioms), it tells of a lost, unrequited love.

Singer Barbara reveals about "Guggisberglied":
"This song is very dear to me - I've carried it inside me since I was a child. Its melody exerts a strong magical, irresistible force on me, which we wanted to emphasize with the new arrangement."


[ Pic: Manuel Vargas Lépiz ]



... no rest for the wicked, they say - and so WAZZARA expanded in 2021 with Deniz Lebovci on drums and in 2022 with Tom Kuzmic as another guitarist.

At the end of 2022 and beginning of 2023, the profound band recorded three new songs, which will be released as EP "Ombreine" on April 30, 2023.

Like the water, which sometimes appears quietly dreamy, sometimes wildly roaring, you can experience the formation live today near and far.

In addition, and since the beginning of WAZZARA history, Barbara shows up here and there with her ethereal songs also as a WAZZARA solo performance act.



[ Artwork: Wazzara ]



WAZZARA present three new songs on their latest release, which tell of transience, the vanity of existence and archaic visions. In addition, the Helvetic moongazers give a new form to the Swiss "Guggisberglied", which was first mentioned in 1741 and is known for its unique, sad melody.



FLASHBACK:


[ "Obsidian Skies" • Official music video by Snakehill Productions ]





[ "Mænic" • Official lyric video by Olga Kann ]


Healing spirituality
Uniting Post Metal, Doom and Psychedelic Rock, WAZZARA is the culmination of a themed solo project from the former lead singer of Folk Metal band, Caladmor.

Taking initial inspiration from the natural poetry of water in motion, enrapt listeners have found themselves moved by the otherworldly, ethereal and magical offerings of Swiss-based songwriter Barbara Brawand since 2015.


[ Pic: Manuel Vargas Lépiz ]



In 2019, Barbara collaborated with Icelandic composer and musician, Árni Bergur Zoëga (Helrunar, Árstíđir Lífsins, Carpe Noctem), to give the world WAZZARA's first EP, "Zessa".

A show quickly followed in early 2020, alongside Grift and Wolcensmen; the first and last to grace the stage before a long and terrible silence descended over the concert industry.

Nevertheless, instead of allowing weeds to choke the banks of creativity, WAZZARA has continued to wind its course and met the year’s end having grown even stronger, composed an entirely new set list and become a full band:
Barbara Brawand (vocals, guitar), Mäsi Stettler (guitar), George Necola (bass) and Julia Kapp (live session drums).

The now initiated writing process for WAZZARA's first full-length album led to exploration of wider musical horizons, incorporating spellbinding, doomy riffs into the EP’s legacy of melancholic, dreamy and celestial soundscapes.


[ Artwork: Pierre Cheers ]



The water-bound concept has been extended to uncover unaffected but fragile lyrics dealing with vulnerability and feeling out of place in a world where sensitivity is considered a weakness.

A moon motif nurturing untamed, sacred femininity has also been woven into spells for healing old wounds.

Inspired by nature’s infinite wandering phases, "Cycles" praises the end that is always a beginning.


[ Pic: Manuel Vargas Lépiz ]





WAZZARA • Online:

Email:

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LINE-UP:
Barbara Brawand • Vocals, Guitar
Marcel 'Mäsi' Stettler • Guitar
Tom Kuzmic • Guitar
George Necola • Bass
Deniz Lebovci • Drums

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TRACKS:
01. Guggisberglied 05:12
02. Visiûne 06:32
03. What Lies Beneath 05:58

Total: 18:02

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DISCOGRAPHY:
2019 • Zessa • EP
2021 • Cycles • Full-length
2023 • Ombreine • EP

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WAZZARA is available for interviews via phone, Skype, Zoom & email