Petra Hermanova and Unguarded announce In Death’s Eyes (UGD-009), the debut solo LP under the artist’s own name. This LP features nine tracks utilizing folk and sacred musical technique and instrumentation which drift between song and heavy distorted drones. In a disciplined display of beauty, pain, and astute musicianship, Hermanova brings forth a notable accomplishment of an album. In Death’s Eyes confronts death from start to finish with a rare fervor that leaves one feeling it was utterly necessary for Hermanova to produce - to survive.

The transcendent impulse, or the influence of religious music, bears heavily on Hermanova’s compositions in her choir arrangements, but is most apparent in her use of pipe organ, opening the record on Black Glass. Having written organ parts for a significant portion of the record, she sought out the renowned organist Denny Wilke to record with her in the Merseburg Cathedral. Captivated by Wilke's profound skill as a player and knowledge of the Ladegast organ, Hermanova invited him to collaborate on Two Deaths where he delivers an impressive... more

CREDITS

released October 13, 2023 Album written, arranged & produced by Petra Hermanova

Autoharp & voice recorded by Petra Hermanova & Jon Eirik Boska in Zwölf-Apostel-Kirche and Herz-Jesu-Kirche

The Ladegast organ on I, II, IV, V, VIII performed by Denny Wilke, assisted by Judith Olex and recorded by Philipp Hülsenbeck in Merseburg Cathedral

Choir on V and IX arranged by Petra Hermanova, edited & conducted by Johannes Weber and recorded by Philipp Hülsenbeck in Zwinglikirche; with Nicolas Fehr, Tim Roth, Jon Eirik Boska, Lo Selbo, Anna Lucia Nissen, Annika Stadler, Lisa Harres, Nina Hynes, Dounia Biedermann, Hanita Firoozmand, Annika Dörner and Eva Ulm; additional voices recorded by Petra Hermanova in Herz-Jesu-Kirche & Lottumstraße Organ improvisation on II by Denny Wilke

Name of IV adapted from line 11 in The Inferno, Canto 13 by Dante

Mixed by Tim Roth

Mastered by Rashad Becker at Clunk

Visual Concept by Evelyn Bencicova & Enes Güç

Album Artwork by Enes Güç

Typography, Layout & Iconography by Odious Rot UGD-009 © & ℗ Petra Hermanova for Unguarded MMXXIII