Urban and atmospheric, the music of French multi-instrumentalist Bruno Karnel borrows from various musical currents to create a highly personal style: post-rock, pop, prog, post-punk, metal...
In the footsteps of Las Ilusiones (2021) and Hic sunt dracones (2023), this third album Villa Solitude features eight tracks oscillating between melancholy and hope. Imaginary towns ('Leaving Diaspar'), dystopian urban centers ('Okhta-Tsentr') or cities ravaged by war ('Candlelight City') intersect in this musical travel diary where solitude is only apparent: for an acute ear, there is always a presence, lurking in the shadows of the notes - reassuring or threatening.
More instrumental and vintage than on its two predecessors, BK's music today is heavily influenced by the underground scenes of Central and Eastern Europe: Kauan, A Noend of Mine, Tábor or even Molchat Doma ('Vndadiem').
Recorded and mixed by Florent Morel at Marg'Sound Studio (France)
Mastered by Thomas 'Plec' Johansson at Panic Room Studio (Sweden)
Cover photo by Sonia – Artwork and layout by Oleksandr Kurta
“Las Ilusiones”
Studio album from 2021.
Artwork by Majd Ali
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Florent Morel at Marg’Sound Studio.
“Hic sunt dracones”
2023 album, recorded and mixed by Florent Morel.
Mastered by Thomas ‘Plec’ Johansson
Artwork by Anton Maryniuk
Distributed by Bitume Productions
"It's unusual and somptuous Gallic curio"
Grant Moon, Prog Magazine
"The mood is generally dark, sometimes pensive, and often aggressive, I suspect that fans of Peter Hammill might well find Hic Sunt Dracones to their liking."
Peter Thelen, Exposé
"Voilà un album offrant un rock-français aux multiples subtilités et où, des textes ciselés faisant honneur à la langue française complètent un travail bourré de finesse qu’il vous faudra découvrir en prenant le temps, pour percevoir au mieux l’excellent choix des mots ainsi que tout le travail musical. Un opus qui offre autre chose…"
Philippe Thirionet, Music in Belgium (5/6)
"Ce qui est fascinant sur cet album, c'est la diversité des instruments utilisés, entre le violoncelle, le piano, les choeurs... Nous avons affaire à un grand album où la structure est admirablement bien amenée."
Christo, Pavillon 666 (9,5/10)