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The Holy Family: Live Burning, Burning Live

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Artist: The Holy Family
Title: Live Burning, Burning Live
Format: CD + Download
Label: Zoharum (http://zoharum.com/) (@)
Rated: * * * * *
The Holy Family's "Live Burning, Burning Live" is a sonic tapestry woven from the embers of their 2022 Roadburn Festival performance - a recording that captures the band's alchemical blend of occult rock, stoner grooves, and psychedelic exploration. Released by Zoharum in April 2025, this live album offers eight tracks that traverse the liminal spaces between structured composition and improvisational fervor.

From the opening notes of "Inward Turning Suns", the listener is drawn into a realm where time dilates and melodies morph into mantras. The band's lineup - David J. Smith (vocals, drum synthesizers), Kavus Torabi (guitar, harmonium), Sam Warren (bass, backing vocals), Craig Fortnam (electric piano, WEM copycats), and Joe Lazarus (drums) - orchestrates a performance that is both meticulously crafted and organically fluid. Their interplay creates a soundscape reminiscent of the kosmische musik tradition, yet firmly rooted in contemporary experimentalism.

Tracks like "Wrapped in Dust" and "Inner Edge of Outer Mind" showcase the band's ability to oscillate between hypnotic rhythms and explosive crescendos. The live setting amplifies their dynamic range, with each member contributing to a collective sound that is greater than the sum of its parts. The inclusion of Craig Fortnam, stepping in for Emmett Elvin, adds a unique texture to the performance, highlighting the band's adaptability and commitment to sonic exploration.

The album's production, handled by Antti UusimÄki, preserves the raw energy of the live performance while ensuring clarity and balance across the recording. The ambient nuances and spatial dynamics are meticulously captured, allowing the listener to experience the immersive atmosphere of the Roadburn Festival.

"Live Burning, Burning Live" is not merely a live album; it's a testament to The Holy Family's prowess in channeling the esoteric and the ecstatic into a cohesive musical journey. It's an invitation to traverse the thresholds of consciousness, guided by a band unafraid to delve into the depths of sonic mysticism.

For those seeking an auditory experience that challenges conventions and embraces the transcendental, this album stands as a beacon - a ritualistic convergence of sound and spirit.

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