Drummer Alex Cohen and Progressive Death Metal Masters Contrarian will release Sage of Shekhinah, the band’s 5th album, on March 17 on CD, vinyl, and digital formats via Willowtip Records. The album’s first single, “In Gehenna,” has been premiered courtesy of Heavy Blog is Heavy.
True to their namesake, Contrarian continues to defy the odds and steer the head of progressive/technical death metal towards a more organic approach. The band counteracts genre norms on Sage of Shekhinah with nuanced composition and subtle production.
Alex Cohen is perhaps one of NYC’s most prolific session drummers, having worked alongside artists ranging from Mac Miller to Malignancy. He also writes drum lessons and interviews for Drumhead and Sick Drummer Magazines. Alex holds a degree in Jazz Performance from NYU and runs Solitude Studios, a high-end recording facility located in Carversville, PA.
In the past few years, Alex Cohen has emerged as one of the planet’s most advanced, progressive drummers. His first book ‘Ultimate Progressive Drumming,’ published via Hudson Music, was hailed as a landmark piece of drumming literature by drummers ranging from Derek Roddy to Charley Drayton. Most recently, he was featured on the cover of Drumhead Magazine next to Pete Drummond, Yoni Madar, Dylan Elise, and Ramon Montagner as ‘one of the drummers who is raising the bar’ in modern times.
Alex’s Gear:
Sakae Celestial Series (Jonathan Mover Custom Build)
8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 13″ toms
20″ kick
14″ Bubinga snare
14″ Pearl limited-edition anniversary Bell Brass Snare
Trick Black Widow Pedals
Paiste Cymbals:
16, 17, 18, 19, 20″ Signature Full Crashes
16, 18″ Signature Thin Chinas
18, 20″ 2002 China’s
20″ 2002 Novo China
8″ Signature Splash on Rude 10″ Splash
8 and 10″ 602 Splashes
Full scale of 2002 Cup Chimes
Signature Mega Cup Chime
2002 Large Bell
Danny Carey Monad Ride
Reflector Bell Ride
13, 14″ Signature Sound Edge Hi-hats
12″ Rhythmatist Hats
13″ DJ Hats
14″ Dark Crisp Hats
14″ PST Stack
8″ 2002 Accent Cymbal
Pre-order Sage of Shekhinah:
Willowtip: https://bit.ly/sage-willowtip
Bandcamp: https://bit.ly/sage-bandcamp
Track Listing:
1. Sage of Shekhinah
2. In Gehenna
3. Ibn al Rawandi
4. The Guide for the Perplexed
5. Zabur of Satfiyah al Shamal
6. Apollonius of Tyana
7. A Madman From Island Patmos
Album Credits:
Guest Bouzouki appearance by Michael Paouris on “Sage of Shekhinah”
Guest Bass appearance by Jack Eaton on “Apollonius of Tyana”
Guitars recorded by Doug White at Watchmen Studios, Lockport, NY
Special thanks to Bill Bodily for engineering bass recordings.
Drums recorded at Solitude Studios, PA
All songs written by Jim Tasikas
All arrangements by Contrarian
Produced by Jim Tasikas
Mixed by Neil Kernon for Auslander
Mastered by Alan Douches
Jim Tasikas and Brian Mason exclusively play ESP guitars.
Alex Cohen exclusively plays Paiste Cymbals.
Line-up:
Jim Tasikas – Guitars, Keyboards, Bouzouki
Brian Mason – Lead Guitars
Ed Paulsen – Bass
Alex Cohen – Drums
JaKob SiN – Vocals
Band Links:
instagram.com/contrarianofficial
