French progressive rock outfit Lalu have unveiled an instrumental version of “EKO,” featuring Asia drummer Virgil Donati, out now via Frontiers Music Srl. The track originally appeared on their latest album A Mythmaker’s Demise.
Vivien Lalu explained the thinking behind stripping the vocals:
“EKO was always the ‘machine’s song’. Martin wrote those lyrics as a robot, so taking the vocals away didn’t feel like removing something, it felt like letting that voice speak in its own language. Virgil Donati came in with his own vocabulary on this one, a phrasing and a sense of construction that belong only to him, and it gives the track a completely different reading.”
“That led Joop in a new direction when it came to the guitars and bass. Jens Johansson also plays one of my favourite solos on the record.”
“There is a nice irony in it: the song about a machine waking up to a new life, is the one carried entirely by human hands, unedited, with no drum samples. Exactly what this album is about.”
Guitarist and bassist Joop Wolters added:
“Love the halftime feel of this track… Gives it a soothing character. This instrumental version proves that the bone structure of the track is strong enough to make two convincing versions. Wonderful interpretations by the involved cast on this one!”
Removing the vocals puts the composition itself in the spotlight, revealing the interplay and dynamics at the heart of the track. Donati’s technical command brings both power and intricacy, and the arrangement gets more room to breathe, letting the rhythmic detail between Donati, Lalu and Wolters come forward.
As with the album, the emphasis stays on organic performance.
“We wanted this record to feel alive. No drum samples, next to no EQ, just real performances captured in their natural state,” said Vivien Lalu.
“There has always been undeniable musical synergy between Viv and myself. This album came together very naturally,” added Wolters.
A Mythmaker’s Demise, released in July, marks the 20th anniversary of Vivien Lalu’s progressive rock project, which began with Oniric Metal in 2005.
Order A Mythmaker’s Demise: frontiers.shop
Lineup
- Joop Wolters – guitars, bass
- Virgil Donati – drums
- Vivien Lalu – keyboards
- Jens Johansson – guest keyboard solo
