Autarkh

AUTARKH is a group of music adventurers dedicated to pushing the boundaries of their artistic development. The contemporary metal outfit was founded in Tilburg (NL) by vocalist/guitarist Michel Nienhuis and can be seen as a development of the artistic vision of his previous band DODECAHEDRON. In 2019, Nienhuis teamed up with producer Joris Bonis (DODECAHEDRON, ULSECT), guitarist/producer David Luiten (INFERUM), bassist Desmond Kuijk (DEAR MOTHER) and electronics wizard Tijnn Verbruggen, musicians with backgrounds ranging from metal to techno.

"And I’ll call it now: given the time to flourish and sink into the ears of an audience, Autarkh will become highly influential on the next generation of extreme metal." – Chicago Reader (US), 2021

The debut album Form In Motion (Season Of Mist, 2021) feels like an evolution from the two albums Nienhuis released with Dodecahedron. Musically, because of the radical approach the band takes with their rhythm section: IDM-style beats, glitch effects and percussion are perfectly balanced with crushing riffs and vocals that range from tormented screams to exciting harmonies. Lyrically, because the album is more about a personal experience of human nature and the nature of the universe.

Autarkh continues its approach of inner exploration on its sophomore full-length album Emergent. It delivers increased versatility and contrast, and sees the band expand towards more uplifting and consonant territories. On Emergent, composers Nienhuis’s and Luiten’s statements capture the same capriciousness and unease of Form In Motion, this time leaving a more open, diverse and radiant imprint.

“Smart, adventurous, and unquestionably brave, Autarkh continues the streak of producing material that defies any expectations of a presumed next chapter while fitting its new mutant member into another nook of the extended Nienhuis universe.” – Angrymetalguy, 2023

Circularity has become a key component of how these musicians handle their artistic content. An alternative three-piece band called AUTARKH III was founded in 2021 wherein Luiten, Verbruggen and Nienhuis reimagine their work in a different musical context. AUTARKH III focuses on ambient and drone atmospheres, improvised sound collages and heavier down-tempo arrangements while experimenting with inverted storylines and rearranged AUTARKH themes. When the opportunity arose in 2023 to participate in a 100% improvised collaboration with Drone Assembly and Kypski during Best Kept Secret festival, another corner of the Autarkh universe was unlocked and ultimately led to the establishment of a free improv group with a varying line-up known as AUTARKH COLLECTIVE. The debut of this collective will be released in 2024.

Form In Motion explored the boundaries of sonic extremes; Autarkh III’s Roadburn Redux 2021 showed subtlety, introversion and contrast; and Emergent sheds a brighter light on the inner self and exposes it to the world with intensity and conviction. The group shows diversity and nuance while preserving their intense and razor-sharp edge. With performances at Roadburn festival (NL) in 2021 and 2022, Dutch television show Muziekstad and Hellfest (FR) in 2022, 4 releases in 4 years and numerous press features praising their artistic endeavors, the group shows their vivid imagination and serious work ethic – and they are just getting started.

Autarkh are currently working on their third studio album with a new lineup featuring Jasper Barendregt (ex-DODECAHEDRON) on drums and Max Blok (ALKALOID, DEAD EYED CREEK) on bass.