S☉N RISE / S☉N OF THE SUN is a new album by Mark Wagner, a Hermetic
fable based on the Great Work of Alchemy co-released by
Adaadat and
Zamzamrec.
Touching upon his deep seated attraction for Hermeticism - the philosophy
of Hermes and ancient Mystical tradition, the album recounts the
metaphysical creation of the world, the underlying nature of nature, the
secret of all ages and the endless cycle of birth, death and rebirth.
Following a mysterious past life regression therapy and 'remembering' lives
as priest, alchemist and house maid, the tracks were originally composed in
2015 and performed as a piano & voice piece at St Johns Bethnal Green and
Shoreditch churches. It wasn't until six years later while expecting his first
child during the later stages of pandemic lockdown that the pieces were
reworked to include beats, electronics and synthesizers and subsequently
became the finished record. The album was mixed by Wagner on New Year's
eve 2021 when unbeknown to him, he was deliriously ill, infected with
Covid-19. A month later Eko Kahil-Wagner was born, to whom the album is
dedicated.
The record begins and ends with Eko's heartbeat recorded in utero using a
transducer mic. The record is bookended by two text recitals, S☉N RISE
describes the phenomenon of renaissance, or trial and error ad infinitum.
The album ends with Wagner's own version of the seminal 'Emerald Tablets'
of Hermes Trismegistus which he translated while staying in a nun's convent
in Kingston.
With the piano featuring as the central instrument around which the album
is composed, warped beats, soundscapes and electronic synthesis provide
the drive and the futuristic counterpart to the timeless melodies. Agathe
Max, the profecient experimental violinist was also summoned for
additional orchestral flourishes as well as Hanna White with vocal
harmonies on Rubedo.
More than a record S☉N RISE / S☉N OF THE SUN is an accurate document
of Hermetic philosophy, Mystical thought and Alchemical tenets. The album
release will be accompanied by videos and a choreographed performance
showcasing Wagner's personal take on Whirling Dervish spin-dancing, a
potent form of inner Alchemy which he learnt in the traditional form with a
Mevlevi order.
In true Hermetic fashion S☉N OF THE SUN features narration using a cryptic
and symbolic language called The language of the Birds or Green language,
A poetic, metaphorical and metaphysical tongue used by the Hermeticist
and Kabbalists utilising phonetics, riddles and rhymes that offer a double
entendre that can be under-stood on multiple levels revealing different
interpretations for the adept or the profane.
An album launch organised by 33-33 is taking place at MKII in Clapton on February the 12th.
It will feature a ceremonial live show produced in collaboration with the artists;
Kat Hanula,
Ross Adams and
Agathe Max.
As well as ritual performances by
The Seer (Conny Prantera) and
Blanc Sceol (Stephen Shiell & Hannah White)
and a sound installation by Bjørn Hatleskog.
"You could say this a labour of love, obsessively circling in tangled narrative and a brooding piano that empathically scaffolds. An instrumental centrifuge that percussively pearls your attention, ebbs the enigmatic itch of Mark Wagner's words and their slipping meanings."
Michael Rodham-Heaps (Freq)
ADA0063 - 12" Black Vinyl LP with Pantone Gold Sleeve & LP Insert
Tracklisting : (Click on the titles to play the tracks, you may have to disable your Adblocker plugin)
Music : All songs written, produced and performed by Mark Wagner.
Violins on Nigredo and Albedo by Agathe Max.
Vocals on Rubedo by Hannah White.
Artwork : Artwork & Layout by MW and H&O ZamZam.
Mastered by Bjørn Hatleskog, London.
Cut at Dubplates&Mastering, Berlin.
Pressing by VinylRecordMakers, (86) France.
Production : Adaadat (ADA0063) & Zamzamrec (ZZ71).
