TRANSMIGRATION is the long awaited second album from super-heavy Bristol rockers Gonga. It is set for release on 9th June through Invada Records.
In the years since their critically acclaimed debut Gonga have seen several bass players come and go, the most recent of which was Hallam Kite who left after recording the album. As such Transmigration reflects this turbulent time and it also marks the completion of the bands metamorphosis; or perhaps metempsychosis is more apt; “the transmigration at death of the soul into a new body.â€
In spite of these challenges, Transmigration is unmistakably Gonga; it retains the grindingly heavy doom and furious rock of the first album along with some mellow moments, but it has undeniably moved forward.
“A return from the Void formed anew and with fire in our eyes. This beast is not different from before, nor is it the same; it is evolution.â€
Radio 1’s Zane Lowe made Stratofortress ‘single of the week’ and the 2004 self titled debut ‘album of the week’ an honour that was quickly followed by an invitation to play on his prestigious evening session. Following this critical acclaim Gonga embarked on several fierce headline tours and were invited to tour with Mondo Generator and High On Fire . They also made several festival appearances including Glastonbury, Download, Shambala and Ashton Court.
Gonga’s talent is widely recognized within the industry; Portishead’s invitation to play at the 2008 ‘All Tomorrow’s Parties’ is a mark of just how highly their new work is regarded. Geoff Barrow also cited the band as an influence on ‘Third’. As well as working on their latest album Gonga have been playing with Portishead , Crippled Black Phoenix , Ramesses , The Flies , Sadaar Bazaar and Joe Volk’s solo material.
And so the tides of fate turn once more. After the completion of the new album singer Joe Volk leaves the band. In a final act of defiance to the powers that sought their end the Brothers Gonga summon Peter Theobalds (ex- Akercocke ) as Bass Lord and Matt Williams (aka Team Brick ) on Vocals. Now the Transmigration is complete.
The true spirit of British heavy rock lives on in Gonga.