Listen to The Free Territory by Manchester's Dead Sea Apes

Ten years ago, Chris Hardman, Brett Savage and Nick Harris first came together as Dead Sea Apes. The Free Territory is their latest and greatest.  

Here's the scoop...
The Free Territory is Dead Sea Apes' darkest, moodiest work to date, their characteristic unfolding instrumentals now cast in high lonesome drones and haunted atmospherics. Taking shape in the shadows over several years, The Free Territory brings Dead Sea Apes’ more experimental and introspective aspects to the fore. Dysmorphic loops, evolving textures and improvisations are suffused with the hiss of old tape decks and analogue effects, and adherence to the default guitar/bass/drums setup is strictly optional.

It also represents a transitional phase for the group, having been partly recorded with departing bassist Nick Harris. More recently, Nik Rayne of The Myrrors dropped in on a winter sojourn to the UK, not only guesting on two tracks but also creating the beautifully detailed copier collage sleeve art.

Never ones to retrace their steps or be steered by voguish reference points, Dead Sea Apes here find themselves at unfamiliar coordinates with only their instincts for guidance. The Free Territory is both spatial and claustrophobic, massive yet weightless, grounded yet in constant motion; timeless yet reflecting and resonating with the age.

The Free Territory is released on Cardinal Fuzz (UK) and Feeding Tube Records (USA) on double vinyl, CD and download. You can grab a vinyl copy of the Cardinal Fuzz version at Ottawa's Birdman Sound (593 Bank St) while the limited supply lasts. Check it out below.

Credits:
Brett Savage: Loops, guitars, synths, harmonium
Chris Hardman: Percussion, synths, tapes, effects, freeze guitar
Nick Harris: Synth & guitar on track 1, bass & guitar on track 3, guitar on track 5
Nik Rayne - Guitar on tracks 6 & 7

Recorded, mixed and mastered by Chris Hardman at Stalybridge, Ancoats, Stockport, 2013 - 2019.

Dead Sea Apes play Todmorden's Tor Festival in scenic West Yorkshire on August 31st. Get yer tickets right here.