Insect Ark: a wall of sound for “The Vanishing”
Insect Ark, currently made up of founder Dana Schechter (Swans) and Andy Patterson (ex SubRosa), have been crafting uncomfortable soundscapes that feel both intimate and icy cold since 2011. Nightmarish horror film-like visions, outer space travel, and gritty noir textures were explored in their previous offerings: the much-praised Portal / Well (2015) and Marrow Hymns (2018). Now they’re back with their third, and most harrowing and punishing record to date.
The Vanishing, out via Profound Lore, is heavier, darker, and denser than anything Insect Ark has ever done, without losing any of the writing characteristics that have become synonymous with their personality, like the persistent coating of eerie psychedelia, the alien feel of the melodies, or the ominous dread they often exhale. “The album’s title refers to a recurring daydream I had of disappearing completely – floating out to sea alone, and never being found,” offers Schechter of the themes driving the record.
“On a much bigger level, it’s about the impermanence of life itself, trying to retain perspective of how small we really are.”
WORDS MARIKA ZORZI
PHOTOGRAPHY BY: A.F. CORTÉS