Release Date: November 06th 2026. Record Label: Moment Of Collapse. Format: CD/DD/Vinyl
Simulacron - Tracklist
1.Simulacron 10:20
2.Das sechste Siegel 06:02
3.Alone 03:37
4.Wolfmannsgehau 10:34
5.Letzte Schleuse 03:45
6.Electric H. 10:15
Members
Christian Müller
Nils Langbehn
Christian Herzog
Review
Simulacron is the third album from Instrumental Doom/Sludge Metallers SHAKHTYOR which is their first album in eleven years. I thought SHAKHTYOR split up ages ago but they were just biding their time releasing a heavy and brutal album upon the world. As this is their heaviest and darkest record to date with intense fast-paced grooves that have an almost Blackened Post-Metal approach throughout though there are some brief instances of Post-Rock, Ambient Metal and Stoner Metal within this record.
SHAKHTYOR have developed a heavier, thicker and progressive sound compared to their previous albums which you can fully experience within the stunning opening track Simulacron. There are traces of SHAKHTYOR developing into a more brutal style of music which comes into play within the later stages of the record which gives everything quite an uncomfortable feeling. The mix of fast paced grooves and slow-paced passages is a great way for SHAKHTYOR to express their feelings for the story contained within the album.
If you ever wondered what Russian Circles or Pelican would sound like if they embraced a Pitch Black mentality then Simulacron is about as close you would possibly get. SHAKHTYOR use a wealth of different electronic and vocal samples to get their creative message across which actually blurs the different musical realities that hold everything together within the whole album.
Second track Das sechste Siegel feels like a dystopian nightmare come to life with SHAKHTYOR exploring different themes of Instrumental Metal with gloomy synths, vocal samples and electronic sounds developing into a superbly constructed track that is perhaps one of the band’s best creative works to date. The literal translation means “The Sixth Seal” which gives real relevance to the whole album and how everything plays out.
Whilst technically an instrumental record, there is an excellent guest appearance from Martin Paul (UR) within the standout third track of Alone. This track is the shortest one on the album but it’s one of the heaviest songs on the whole album. Some folks may think I’m crazy for saying that as it’s not HEAVY in the most standard sense. I think it’s one of the heaviest as the band created a song that acts as a warning for today’s ever increasing use of AI and Technology. The harsh vocals from Martin allows SHAKHTYOR to develop eerie synths and despairing instrumental sounds that left me questioning my own sanity.
The second half of Simulacron continues the dark themes that SHAKHTYOR has created brilliantly and passionately in equal measure. Though, that Post-Black Metal energy touched upon briefly within the first half of the record fully breaks out and sees SHAKHTYOR bring a frenzied approach to their music. There’s elements of Industrial Metal leading the way on tracks such as Wolfmannsgehau and Electric H.
SHAKHTYOR sometimes play a faster and more extreme style of music that still allows their core Instrumental Doom/Sludge Metal sound to fully retain control with expansive cinematic soundscapes making a welcome appearance. You have to give SHAKHTYOR credit for not giving into a false pretence by playing hopefully instrumental passages as that isn’t their style. They remain fully committed in creating a bleak and highly unsettling musical odyssey that left even myself quite uncomfortable in places.
This is perhaps one of the most thought provoking, gloomiest and depressing Instrumental albums I've listened to and experienced this year. That’s perhaps one of best things about Simulacron is that it dares to be different and perhaps offer the listener quite an unsettling experience which is told through some thrilling and brilliant instrumental melodies that leave you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to All Noir PR for the promo.
Simulacron is available to buy now on CD/DD/Vinyl via BandCamp (Germany Only) and Moment Of Collapse (Rest Of The World)
Links
https://www.facebook.com/shakhtyorband/
https://www.instagram.com/shakhtyor.band/
https://shakhtyor.bandcamp.com/
