Laurence Pike continues in a rich creative vein with the release of Prophecy, his third solo album in as many years. Inspired to write and record in response to the devastating wild fires in his native Australia, the percussionist, composer and producer has created a work for our times.

Adopting the working formula of ‘one take’ studio performances for drum kit and sampler; channelling the moment through Pike’s singular, organic use of electronics, and intuitively constructed arrangements. There is an instinctive and emotional resonance here, driven by his reaction to the climate emergency.

– The album will be released on CD and limited edition yellow vinyl LP (700 copies for the world), with artwork by Australian artist Gemma Smith.

– The percussionist, composer and producer made his name with PVT, Triosk and Szun Waves, and has collaborated with Liars, Bill Callahan, Mike Nock, Burnt Friedman, D.D Dumbo, Sarah Blasko and many others.

– Prophecy is Laurence Pike’s third solo album, following Distant Early Warning (2018) and last year’s acclaimed Holy Spring.

Laurence Pike on Prophecy:

The music on Prophecy was made during an intense period of climate-related disasters in my home of Australia last summer that seemed to represent the beginning of a strange new way of existing on Earth.

The pieces were developed in the space of four weeks at my home, and then captured in a single day of studio performances. As a result, the music is as much an assemblage of moments from the days leading up to the recording (stepping into my garden to be greeted by a dark pink sun against a brown sky, and ash gently raining on me) as it is a reflection of how I felt in the moment playing them live in the studio.

In the short time since, we’ve gone from staying inside and wearing face masks because the city was completely surrounded by fire, and the air filled with acrid smoke, to staying indoors to stop the spread of a global pandemic…

On Laurence Pike:

“Music that speaks to the creative development of an artist relinquishing his boundaries, unafraid to step beyond the obvious in search of the unknown. Prophecy is the album for our times – radically questioning what we expect from ourselves as we acclimatise to a completely new relationship with planet Earth”
Angus Andrew (Liars)

“His solo work is a marvel, radiating the absolute confidence of a man in command of his instruments and making very difficult things seems inevitable. He creates a hyper-aware universe of constant, new, undefinable sound, that only he could make. He expresses himself through performance with a commitment that goes far beyond energy and will… Holy Spring is a mature and enthralling work that gives us real ritual. Ceremonies taken seriously that generate real power”
the Quietus

“Full of morphing grooves and moods of imminent revelation, it’s a quicksilver delight” – 4/5 The Observer

“A sumptuous, sonic world… rich with spiritual under-tones” – 4/5 Mojo

“Celestial minimalism… A puzzle that has endless permutations” – 8/10 Uncut

“Holy Spring is an intoxicating gem” – 8/10 The Line Of Best Fit

“Specialising in improvisation, he pushes the boundaries of jazz, post-rock, ambient and electronica with a cosmic freedom” – Electronic Sound

“Fizzes with ideas” – The Vinyl Factory

“Unique and enthralling in equal measure” – 8/10 DJ

“The wonder of Pike’s work has nothing to do with the brilliance of playing per se, but that, in real time, he heard and realised six complete musical experiences that keep the listener transfixed for 40 minutes” – 4.5/5 Sydney Morning Herald

Contemporary Album of the Month – 4/5 The Guardian