EPK – Shumaun – Opposing Mirrors (2024)

EPK – Shumaun – Opposing Mirrors (2024)

Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com

Band: Shumaun
Album Title: Opposing Mirrors
Release Date: June 28, 2024
Label: Self-Release

“I believe the album is best experienced when played in sequence. While not a traditional concept album, it maintains a thematic coherence, much like our previous releases. The goal is to immerse the listener in a musical journey lasting approximately 50 minutes, give or take, haha. While there are standout singles, we’ve also included longer tracks to allow for deeper exploration. Ultimately, my hope is for the honesty and integrity of the music to connect with the listener, however they choose to experience it.” – Shumaun – Farhad Hossain — Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards

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What the press has said:

WINNER: The Deli Magazine’s “BEST OF 2015 Reader’s Pick Award” for Washington DC

“It’s not just Orbin’s simple-complex drumming that shines here. Hossain’s soaring vocals, and the guitar/bass dynamics. They sound simple but scream progressive, forward-thinking. While pop-oriented progressive rock tunes aren’t usually on Decibel’s turntable (digital or physical), Shumaun was hard to deny.” – Decibel Magazine 

“Great vocals, well-written songs, and solid musicianship are the hallmarks for the debut self-titled release by Shumaun. It’s a very enjoyable album for anyone who likes to sing along with their music. With Shumaun, the songs come first. And that makes for a very enjoyable experience.” – Progressive Music Planet

“AWESOME!  OK, this band is AWESOME and have produced probably my favourite album of the year.” – Decibel Geek

“Shumaun’s music is impressive and pretty close to brilliant – Background Magazine

“Has the best album of 2019 been released right at the beginning of the year? That’s not fair! Everyone else with a 2019 release has their work cut out for them, to stand up against Shumaun’s brilliant sophomore effort: “One Day Closer to Yesterday.” – Metal Asylum

“Farhad Hossain puts goose bumps on my arms with his beautiful voice.” – Rock Portaal

“This stuff is incredibly catchy, mostly due to the excellent vocals of Hossain. Sometimes I find the emphasis on lead vocals rather annoying, especially if the vocals are not up to snuff. That is far from the case here. His vocals are superbly melodic and had me completely transfixed throughout the disc’s fifty-two minute running time.” – Sea of Tranquility

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Band: Shumaun
Album Title: Opposing Mirrors
Release Date: June 28, 2024
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing:
1. The Perils of Amnesia (8:06)
2. Balance (6:00)
3. Opposing Mirrors (4:26)
4. Anxiety and Daydreams (6:00)
5. That Which Turns (4:54)
6. Beyond Reflection (6:28)
7. Some Memories 4:10)
8. Porcelain Trees (9:26)

Album Credits:
All songs written by Farhad Hossain
All songs performed by Shumaun
Produced by Farhad Hossain
Mixed and Mastered by Brett Caldas-Lima at Tower Studio
Album Art by Farhad Hossain

Album Band Line Up
Farhad Hossain — Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards
Jose Mora — Bass
Tyler Kim — Guitars
Drums:
Thomas Lang (Tracks 1, 3, 8)
Marco Minnemann (Tracks 4, 7)
Leo Margarit (Tracks 5, 6)
Farhad Hossain (Track 2)

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About The Album Artwork:

The album artwork was designed by me (Farhad). It comes across as a bit contemplative with a sense of silence. A monk gazes out into a window and is fixed upon the figure on the other side. He not only sees a fellow brother but also catches a glimpse of himself in a way of self-reflection. So, the window is essentially a metaphorical mirror, reflecting not only the physical image of the other monk but also the inner thoughts and emotions of the observer.

About the album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

The album is intended to be listened to sequentially, although there are standout singles dispersed throughout. There’s a natural flow between the songs, and the lyrics contribute to a conceptual feel. In essence, the album is kind of conceptual, and the title, “Opposing Mirrors,” encapsulates this theme perfectly. Whether it’s reflecting on a loved one, an adversary, or individuals grappling to connect, the album delves into the challenges of understanding “the other” by the means of self-reflection and awareness and viewing them as a mirror for oneself, fostering compassion and empathy in the process.
 

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

1.       The Perils of Amnesia – The album kicks off with a semi-epic track blending elements of ambient, world music, prog, and metal. I incorporated a Persian Santoor in the middle to enhance its authenticity. Thematically, the song explores our collective tendency to repeat past mistakes, leading to inevitable failure, particularly from a societal perspective.

2. Balance – This is a song I wrote several years ago, back in 2006 or so when Jose and I were in the band Encompass. Several folks have asked to bring it back and I was reluctant to because it didn’t really fit previous albums, but I felt it fit perfectly with this one. If it sounds slightly different from the other songs, that’s likely the reason. Thematically, the lyrics center around transcending one’s ego and primal instincts.

3. Opposing Mirrors – This song is undoubtedly a standout single. The aim was to create a track that is concise and direct, yet still embodies all of our signature characteristics. Thomas Lang really delivered on this one.  Lyrically, the song delves into the theme of a deteriorating relationship, highlighting the inability to perceive the situation from each other’s perspectives, ultimately leading to breakdowns in communication, and the inevitable dissolution of the relationship.

4. Anxiety and Daydreams – This track is easily my favorite instrumental that I’ve written. It’s also one of my personal favorites on the album! It captivates the listener, taking them on a journey through moments of serenity and, dare I say, anxiety? Filled with layers and subtle textures, it’s a piece I’m truly proud of that I hope everyone will enjoy, especially if you hate my vocals!

5. That Which Turns – This song blends a lot of progressive elements into a bitesize nugget. I really like the movement behind the guitar solo section and the time shifts. It has a somewhat unorthodox arrangement mixing acoustic and electric guitars that makes it a nifty track. That which turns is referring to the heart, and how our emotions and feelings can fluctuate unexpectedly at any moment.

6. Beyond Reflection – I was just writing out my thoughts in real time after my dad passed away in 2022. You can hear is voice in the middle of the song, which I recorded on my phone from the hospital a few hours before he passed on. In Bengali, he is saying “I want to stick to my decision and go back home. Let me just stay there for a week, and if I start feeling worse, then we can call 911… (and return to the hospital),” not realizing at that moment that he didn’t have much more time ahead of him. Musically, it’s very basic, but I did throw in a decent guitar solo in the end.

7. Some Memories… – This song represents a departure from our usual style. It has a modern edge with its choppy guitar rhythms under the verses, but I believe the chorus brings it back to the classic Shumaun sound with its big hook and open chords. Lyrically, it addresses the phenomenon of cancel culture, exploring how individuals can face consequences for past actions or statements, even if they have since grown and evolved as people.

8. Porcelain Trees – This song holds a special place as one of my all-time favorites. Lyrically, it began as a reflection on my dad’s passing but evolved into an exploration of broader themes of oppression and injustice on a global scale. Musically, the song guides the listener through a complex narrative, both lyrically and musically. Despite being built around a simple theme and chord progression, the various movements allow the intricacies to shine, weaving throughout the song.

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STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

1. On the song “Balance” we were having some technical issues with the drum files that Leo Margarit sent. Farhad hadn’t really noticed the issues until way after Leo delivered and didn’t want to bug him again so decided to retrack the drums himself. “I tried to experiment and track the drums and cymbals separately. This approach made it easier to mix the drums, and more importantly allowed drum edits to be less painful. But trust me, I am no drummer! It took a million takes and some creative editing to make me sound even remotely competent.”

2. If you examine each Shumaun album cover, you’ll find a cityscape featured somewhere. “Opposing Mirrors” follows this trend, maintaining continuity across our albums. However, we don’t know how long this trend will continue.

3. Jose and Farhad play in a regional cover band called Screaming Monkeys. Sometimes they will perform a Shumaun song as a three piece in the middle of the set. There was one show where the keyboard backing track didn’t trigger. The band soldiered through as a true three piece band and the audience still loved it. “Though it was a bit terrifying for us, no band should not be able to perform because a backing track fails,” Farhad said.

4. Jose, Farhad, and Tyler have known each other since middle school. Evident by the “Memories of Water” video from their last album.

5. Jose initially began as a guitarist, but as the trend goes, he transitioned to bass when the need for a bassist arose.

(L to R) – Tyler Kim: Guitar, Farhad Hossain: Vocals, Guitar, Keys, Jose Mora: Bass

Shumaun, initially a solo project by Farhad Hossain, evolved into a collaborative band after recruiting friends. Despite drummer challenges during recording, including the departure of Tanvir Tomal, replaced by Waqar Khan, the band managed to release their self-titled debut album in 2015 with contributions from Travis Orbin (Darkest Hour) and Mark Zonder (ex-Fates Warning) on drums. Tanvir later rejoined as the live drummer. In 2019, their second album “One Day Closer to Yesterday” was released, followed by their critically acclaimed third album “Memories & Intuition” in 2021, which featured renowned drummers, Thomas Lang, Atma Anur, Mark Zonder, and Leo Margarit. Praised by numerous prominent progressive, hard rock, and heavy metal outlets such as PROG magazine, Revolver Magazine, Decibel Magazine, Metal Asylum, and Progressive Music Planet, the band’s distinctive sound, propelled by Farhad Hossain’s dynamic vocals and lead guitar work, Jose Mora’s melodious bass lines, and Tyler Kim’s nuanced guitar embellishments, has earned them accolades, awards, and widespread recognition.

In 2024, Shumaun is set to unveil their fourth album, titled “Opposing Mirrors,” showcasing a stellar lineup of drummers including the return of Thomas Lang and Leo Margarit of Pain of Salvation, alongside Marco Minnemann from the instrumental power trio, The Aristocrats. For mixing and mastering duties, the band has once again enlisted Brett Caldas-Lima at Tower Studio in France.

Discography:
2024 – Opposing Mirrors
2021 – Memories & Intuition
2019 – One Day Closer to Yesterday
2015 – Shumaun