Wyatt E. (BEL)

After two years in the making, the band seals their long-awaited return in 2025 with the highly anticipated narrative sequel to “āl bēlūti dārû”: zamāru ultu qereb ziqquratu Part 1 (Music from inside the Ziggurat); is the first chapter of a set of 2 concept albums in which the band deepens its exploration of ancient Babylon with an almost mythical approach through the eyes of the exiled captives from Jerusalem. Featuring contributions from 7 international collaborators, zamāru ultu qereb ziqquratu is poised to become one of the most ambitious projects in the doom scene in terms of production & conception and will be released by the finest label in the genre: Heavy Psych Sounds. The album pushes sonic boundaries by featuring two drummers recorded simultaneously, creating the immersive effect of distant crowds. An eclectic mix of instruments, including the saz, viola, sitar, and bugle, blend with both analog and digital elements to enrich the soundscape. A nod to Turkish composer Fazıl Say is also present, with a quotation from his symphony Mesopotamia. For the first time, two vocal tracks appear alongside the instrumental pieces. Iranian singer Nina Saiedi lends her ethereal voice to "The Diviner's Prayer to the Gods of the Night," sung in Akkadian, while Jerusalem’s choir conductor, Tomer Damsky delivers a captivating performance of Im Lelya in Aramaic adding a deep vocal layer to the album. The final mix, crafted by renowned producer Tim De Gieter, known for his work with Amenra, Brutus, and Absent in Body, brings everything together with a masterful touch. Brief reminder: In 2015, their debut EP Mount Sinai/Aswan caught the eye of Shalosh Cult, a Jerusalem-based label which released their critically acclaimed debut album Exile to Beyn Neharot in 2017. In 2022, their second full-length record “āl bēlūti dārû” (“The Eternal City” in Akkadian language) marks the rise of the band on the doom scene. Mixed by the godfather of doom Billy Anderson (Sleep, Om, Melvins,...), the album led them to a 95-concert tour across Europe and the Middle East. They played at notable events such as Roadburn Mystic Festival, DesertFest London, ArcTanGent, DesertFest Belgium, Dunajam, Stoned From The Underground, Red Smoke Festival, A Colossal Weekend, Rock in Bourlon, Dour Festival, Fusion Festival, Stick & Stone, Astral Festival Bristol, Black Earth Festival and many more. In 2023, the group composed for the motion picture soundtrack Bowling Saturne and released Roadburn-commissioned live-collaboration with the English band Five The Hierophant and singer Tomer Damsky under the name Atonia.