De Mannen Broeders is a brand-new and interesting collaboration between Colin van Eeckhout and the Zeeuws Flemish folk icon Tonnie “Broeder” Dieleman. The former is the frontman for Belgian post-metallers Amenra, a band well-known for their overwhelming heaviness both in sound and emotion; the latter is a Dutch folk singer whose music is inspired by his religious upbringing and the rural culture of his Zeelandic homeland, and who has collaborated with Baby Dee and Bonnie “Prince” Billy. When van Eeckhout & Dieleman met, they felt an instant connection. “As a creating artist, it’s these encounters that you pray for,” says Colin. “As soon as you meet someone like that, you know you have to do something together.”
The result of this meeting of two brilliantly creative minds is the 9-track Sober Maal, which translates to “sober meal” and refers to the practice of eating a simple meal in order to practice gratitude. This record is being released under the moniker De Mannen Broeders, and was written and recorded in under five days at the 18th century church Doopsgezinde Kerk in Middelburg, Netherlands, courtesy of Le Guess Who? festival. Sonically, Sober Maal is a haunting, droning, emotionally rich journey that feels rooted in a bygone world while still sounding wholly original, and has a melancholy air yet retains a hopeful feel. Colin and Tonnie’s vocals blend with the choir and a pared-back selection of instruments including a banjo, piano, hurdy gurdy and the powerful central organ – all intermingling with the sounds and echoes of the church. Flemish refugees from the First World War who slept in the church adorn the cover of Sober Maal, which was recorded by Tim de Gieter, with Pim van de Werken playing the organ and piano.
Sober Maal will be released on October 11th via Relapse Records. Pre-orders are now available here.
Photo credit: Stefan Temmerman
