Exclusive Album Premiere Of Experimental Psych/Doom Rockers FOLWARK New Album ALL SHADOWS STRETCHED

Folwark is an experimental rock duo from Italy, active since 2014. The band consists of Francesco Marcolini (guitars, synths, vocals) and Tommaso Faraci (drums, theremin, vocals). Emerging from the mystical and rugged landscapes of Umbria—where saints and earthquakes coexist—their music channels a unique blend of raw intensity and spiritual exploration.

Folwark’s sound is an intricate fusion of syncopated rhythms, powerful surges, and immersive sonic drifts, shifting seamlessly between heavy grooves, psychedelic mantras, and introspective loops. Their live performances are a journey through layered vibrations and harmonics, unfolding in dreamlike atmospheres. Over the years, the band has been featured in various art and sound festivals, often collaborating with visual artists to enhance their multidimensional approach to music.

We're excited to premiere FOLWARK's stunning new album ALL SHADOWS STRETCHED thanks to the kind folks over at Grand Sounds Promotion and Octopus Rising (Argonauta Records).

Folwark Bio

In 2019, Folwark released their debut LP VIMĀNA, mixed and mastered by Claudio Adamo (Cani dei Portici). That same year, they contributed a cover of Nine Inch Nails’ Pilgrimage to the compilation A Fragile Tribute (Olive Produzioni/Seahorse Recordings).

Their latest album, ALL SHADOWS STRETCHED, is set for release on April 18, 2025, via Octopus Rising / Argonauta Records. Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Lorenzo Stecconi (Amenra, Lento, Ufomammut, ZU), the album was crafted in an abandoned mining site, further emphasizing the band’s connection to desolate and evocative landscapes. ALL SHADOWS STRETCHED delves into the struggle between darkness and light, urging humanity to counterbalance adversity with acts of profound love.

Expanding their sonic palette, Folwark integrates theremin, synths, and layered vocals into their power duo setup, fostering an introspective yet visceral exploration of both internal and external realms. The album traverses oppressive, haunting atmospheres punctuated by hieratic and liberating flashes of sound, reflecting an ongoing quest for equilibrium in tumultuous times.

Tracklist:

To Plough the Waves (6:41)
The Depths (7:04)
Amygdala (8:49)
Vacuum Dancer (6:46)
Oval Night (9:08)
Agartha (5:27)

Folwark is one.
Folwark is two.
Folwark tends to infinitude.

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the details.

All Shadows Stretched will be available to buy on DD/Vinyl via Octopus Rising (Argonauta Records) from Friday 18th April 2025.

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp

Folwark - All Shadows Stretched (Album Review)

Release Date: April 18th 2025. Record Label: Octopus Rising (Argonauta Records). Formats: CD/DD/Vinyl

All Shadows Stretched - Tracklisting

To Plough the Waves (6:41)

The Depths (7:04)

Amygdala (8:49)

Vacuum Dancer (6:46)

Oval Night (9:08)

Agartha (5:27)

Members:

Francesco Marcolini (guitars, synths, vocals)

Tommaso Faraci (drums, theremin, vocals)

Review

All Shadows Stretched is the second full length album from Experimental Psychedelic Rockers Folwark who draw the listener into a complex style of Psych, Drone, Doom and Stoner rhythms that has a certain Space Rock flavour appearing. The use of Prog Rock imagery only adds a mysterious creative aura to Folwark with a haunting mix of synths, electronics and other experimental beats that gives All Shadows Stretched quite an original sound.

With an abstract Stoner Rock structure appearing within the opening track To Plough The Waves, you can hear influences such as EARTH, UFOAMMAUT and even Alice In Chains appearing. Whilst not exactly part of the METAL world, Folwark demonstrate their own style of unique heaviness which is subtle, calm, aggressive, understated and wildly unpredictable which they fully build upon throughout the album.

The vocals from both Francesco and Tommaso have a certain melancholic quality to them with a sludgy attitude appearing within the heavier moments. The added use of Electronics and Synths adds a level of Doomgaze and Sludge Rock heaviness to the record especially within the excellent second track of The Depths. Folwark plays with a measured sense of calm even when the record drifts into Experimental / Drone territory. The absence of the bass guitar is perhaps noticeable in places but one that doesn’t stop the enjoyment of the album with The Depths becoming one of the standout tracks of the album.

Folwark becomes even heavier and daring on the next part of the album with tracks such as Amygdala, Vacuum Dancer and Oval Night with the Space Rock vibes becoming quite dominant. The eerie Psychedelic beats, noises and glitches start lightning up the dark environments that Folwark projects within the longer instrumental movements and soundscapes that reign supreme throughout. The music can be described as a style of Cinematic Post-Rock with the Electronic beats transforming into moments of Shoegaze.

The sense of experimentation that Folwark creates here is quite bold and vivid in equal measure. The sound does bring a scope of Alternative Metal at times with the lyrics adding a sense of Post-Doom and Gloomy surroundings to All Shadows Stretched. 

Folwark impresses the most when they decide to focus constantly more on melody and psychedelic sounds which gives a more straightforward style of riff-centric mechanics to fully emerge within the later stages of the record. Though, the band never fell into the trap of “PLAYING IT SAFE” with each individual track sounding wholly different to each other.

The stripped back production values and recording techniques used for the album is superbly handled which allows Folwark to deliver a record that never outstayed its welcome. This a highly adventurous and intelligent record with Folwark playing a continuous stream of intense melodies and progressive sounds that you can’t help but lose yourself in.

Overall, All Shadows Stretched is a welcome addition to the Experimental Psych Rock scene that will surprise you with the many different sounds, genres and creative ideas that are contained within.

Words by Steve Howe

Thanks to Grand Sounds Promotion for the promo.

All Shadows Stretched will be available to buy on DD/Vinyl via Octopus Rising (Argonauta Records) from Friday 18th April 2025.

Links

Official | Facebook | BandCamp