SHM033A: Red Ankh – Red – Officially released in 2024, though the original composition for Red and Black was done in 2006 and 2007. Shyft was not prepared to finished these ambitious works alone, though, so would release rough instrumental demos and otherwise keep these in the archive until Stars and the gang would start working their magics. Those old drafts got more layers, more distorted kick drums, extended arrangements, lots of vocals, and a complete stylistic overhaul to really make Red and Black sound fiery and dark, respectively. Red is the bright one, the upbeat one. It ought to make ya wanna move yer body. The rich high-end of instruments like the gadulka, the buzzy timbre achievable with a hurdy gurdy, the sharp resonance of the sitar and santoor, and the rough breathiness of some flute/pipe instruments sound red to us. The lyrics bounce around, but largely handle the subject of radical recovery from personal and societal trauma.
1. Orchist 06:10
2. Purge the Mundane 08:06
3. Kelcut 07:30
4. Saleriluz 07:23
5. Gloricia 05:25
6. Sunshine 03:20
7. Mirzir Magic 10:42
8. Come Tomorrow 07:41
9. Live On 04:58
10. Diiferansejh 14:31
11. Eindringen 05:59
12. Twist 07:45
13. Clear Skies 12:02
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SHM033B: Red Ankh – Black – From 2023 to 2025, the Black bones born in 2006 and 2007 grew MEAT. Bloody, cognifying, feeling, throbbing MEAT. Black doesn’t entirely do away with catchy hooks or gleeful melodies, but it situates them in darker atmosphere, uses them to break brooding tension, or uses them ironically against the lyrics. Warmer (as opposed to brighter) instruments bring the darkness, like western bowed strings and reeds, pipe organ, old pianos, and eerie tones like that of a music box or glass piano. Choir and operatic vox, with greater use of harsh vocals, do some of this work too. It’s not just a goth album, though! There are still plenty of synths, disto kickdrums, chopped amens, weird FX, and other nonsense. Black’s lyrics come out of the dark for some hopeful moments, but are largely thrashing with the problems. Maybe one should listen to Red second. Darkness is the theme, but can be expressed in many ways; no two songs on this album are alike.
1. Bludhae Riovine Estchveld 03:30
2. Shaaquo 08:06
3. Bronze 09:09
4. Drekvirshanten 04:00
5. Gloricia II 05:27
6. Rainfall 04:39
7. Brorghor 09:49
8. Destoritalt 05:39
9. Rolesque 07:32
10. Someone I Used to Know 07:24
11. Still Searching for Humans 07:25
12. Teterumtyagorah 17:58
13. Eaquazilphorl Rytchdry 26:47
Shyfted Minds 