After two years in the making, the Belgian antique drone goldsmiths Wyatt E. seal their long-awaited return in 2025 with the highly anticipated narrative sequel to āl bēlūti dārû. Called Zamāru ultu qereb ziqquratu Part 1 ( translated to “music from inside the Ziggurat”), this is the first chapter of a duo of concept records in which the band deepens its exploration of ancient Babylon, with an almost mythical approach through the eyes of the exiled captives from Jerusalem. Featuring contributions from seven international collaborators, Zamāru ultu qereb ziqquratu is poised to become one of the most ambitious projects in the doom scene in terms of production and conception – it includes two drummers recorded simultaneously to create the vibration coming from a crowd afar, as well as an eclectic array of instruments such as the saz, viola, sitar, bugle and a blend of analog and digital elements. With outstanding vocal appearances by Nina Saeidi (Lowen) and Tomer Damsky (Atonia), the record features an excerpt from Turkish composer Fazil Say’s “Mesopotamia” symphony. It was mixed by Tim De Gieter (Amenra, Brutus, Absent in Body) and mastered by Jack Shirley (Deafheaven, Botanist).
With the announcement also comes the record’s first single, “Im Lelya”, which you can listen to below this article. About the song, the band says:«, ““Im Lelya” is Wyatt E.’s second collaboration with Jerusalem singer Tomer Damsky, following “Kol Badai” in 2021. This ancient Aramaic fable was said on the days of Belshazzar, the last Babylonian king, and it prophecies in monstrous allegories the fall of the kingdoms of Babylon, Persia, and Greece to let the world be destroyed by the new kingdom of Rome. “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me were the four winds of heaven, and four great beasts came up out of the sea”: so begins the apocalyptic Dream of the Four Beasts by the prophet Daniel.”
Zamāru ultu qereb ziqquratu Part 1 will be released on January 10th via Heavy Psych Sounds. Pre-orders are now available here.
