Band:	Harvestman
Album:	Triptych: Part One
Style:	Psychedelic rock, Space ambient
Release date:	April 2024
A review by:	F3ynman

01. Psilosynth
02. Give Your Heart To The Hawk
03. Coma
04. Psilosynth (Harvest Dub)
05. How To Purify Mercury
06. Nocturnal Field Song
07. Mare And Foal

A meditative journey into our forgotten past.

In case you haven't noticed already, Steve Von Till has a thing for ambience. As a vocalist and guitarist of the legendary band Neurosis, his crushing sludge soundscapes wouldn't be the same without the characteristic, menacing, tension-building atmosphere. A softer side to this approach can be found on his three other projects: his self-titled, somber neofolk project Steve Von Till, the experimental Tribes Of Neurot, and, finally, Harvestman.

Harvestman blends together folk instrumentation and drone to create excellently hypnotic experiences. While their first album, Lashing The Rye, was largely dominated by the folk side of the music, with traditional instruments like acoustic guitar, cello, and even bagpipes, Harvestman’s approach has gradually morphed into more cosmic-sounding, ambient psychedelia. Their 2017 album Music For Megaliths was the first time Harvestman prominently explored the theme of ancient ruins, mysterious megalithic monuments, and the untold secrets they hide. Seven years later, this topic has become the central concept of Harvestman’s 2024 albums. That's right: albums. Plural.

Triptych: Part One is the first installment in a three-album cycle, each to be released periodically on three of 2024’s full moons: April 23rd’s Pink Moon, July 21st’s Buck Moon, and October 17th’s Hunter Moon. In accordance with the cover art, the ambient, droning musicianship conveys the mystical aura and cosmic connections of ancient, megalithic sites like Stonehenge.

As in typical Steve Von Till fashion, the instrument arrangements are quite simple and minimalistic, with tracks like “Psilosynth” relying solely on synths, drums, and bass guitar. But, just because it's simple, doesn't mean there is no skill involved. It takes great songwriting ability to make these droning passages as mesmerizing as they are. And Harvestman definitely have that talent—not only in Steve Von Till, but also in several guest contributions. On “Psilosynth”, the subtle yet captivating bass is played by the Sleep and Om legend Al Cisneros. Yob’s new drummer Dave French provides support on “Nocturnal Field Song”, while John Goff (AKA the Cascadia Bagpiper) plays Northumbrian smallpipes on the concluding track “Mare And Foal”.

There are also some vocals in the form of narration. On the stand-out track “Give Your Heart To The Hawk”, Harvestman quotes several poems of Robinson Jeffers. Two that I recognized were “Nova” and “To The Stone-Cutters”. Both describe the inevitable destruction of all that we know. All things on the Earth decay with the passage of time. One day, even the Sun will explode, incinerating all life in an instant. Is it then futile and inconsequential for stone-cutters to hew their monuments, and for poets to pen their musings?

“Yet stones have stood for a thousand years,
And pained thoughts found
The honey of peace in old poems.”

Our deeds and works of art do hold meaning as long as our world endures.

“And we know
That the enormous invulnerable beauty of things
Is the face of God,
To live gladly in its presence,
And die without grief or fear
Knowing it survives us.”

These words echo in and out of audible consciousness, like the elusive whisperings of old rocks carried on the wind. Accompanied by patient, elegant guitar-work, “Give Your Heart To The Hawk” successfully creates a melancholic mood for meditation.

While the tracks in the first half of the album are definitely mellow, they also contain a certain positive energy, with the synth-work on “Coma” feeling especially soothing. However, on the second half of the album, after a reprise of “Psilosynth”, the droning tracks veer more into unsettling territory. The rumbling noise on “How To Purify Mercury” as well as the ominous percussion and eerie guitar whines on “Nocturnal Field Song” are definitely recommended for the more metal-inclined listeners.

In conclusion, Triptych: Part One makes for a great, meditative experience for those who wish to escape into a distant, forgotten time. Sit back, relax, and imagine yourself resting beneath these mighty stones. Let the droning ambience transport you to another realm, where ancient transmissions eternally resonate between the stars.