BONG-RA announces "Esoterik"

On forthcoming album, "Esoterik", pioneering Dutch artist Jason Köhnen (THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET, THE KILIMANJARO DARKJAZZ ENSEMBLE) continues the alchemical evolution that has defined his work as BONG-RA. A conceptual successor to 2025's "Black Noise", the new album deepens the esoteric dimensions he previously explored on "Antediluvian" (2018) and "Meditations" (2022), while forging a harsher, more dystopian industrial architecture. "Esoterik" will be released on March 20th and contains five immersive, long-form compositions:

01. Harmony Cloak
02. Pleasures of the Flesh
03. Serpentine Helix
04. Duality Of One
05. Machine Halo

"Esoterik" is a work of sustained tension, where bass-heavy doomjazz, mechanised industrial pressure and ritualistic repetition converge into a dense, ceremonial whole. The album was composed, produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by Jason Köhnen. Guest performances include baritone vocals by Botond Fogl on 'Duality Of One' and saxophone contributions by Colin Webster. The cover artwork was created by See Machine (OSSUARY, DORMANT ORDEAL).

Köhnen comments:

"The songs on "Esoterik" are partly adapted from songs on the "Antediluvian" and "Meditations" albums. These two albums delved more into the heavier doomjazz sound, crushingly low and with the screaming sax. With "Esoterik" I tried to have the universe of the "Black Noise" album collide with those of "Antediluvian" and "Meditations" in order to complete a creative circle. Harsh dystopian Industrial moulded with bass heavy doomjazz. The title "Esoterik" (adjective: intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest) dives into concepts taken from Esotericism, especially Hermeticism. The "Black Noise" comeback album, so to speak, really lit the spark for what I call the BONG-RA 2.0 era, even as far that the template and sketches for the next (3rd) album are already being laid out."

As an initiation into this immense new work, BONG-RA unveil 'Pleasures of the Flesh' as first single – a relentless Industrial Metal onslaught driven by crushing distortion, mechanical force and raw physical energy, yet pierced by melancholic saxophone lines recalling Köhnen's cinematic project THE LOVECRAFT SEXTET.

Listen here and on our YouTube channel in form of a lyric video:

Köhnen reveals the concept behind the single:

"'Pleasures of the Flesh' is an inner struggle between the temptations of the physical and the perseverance towards metaphysical discipline. Hinting to the principles of duality that come from Hermetic teachings. It's a constant internal struggle and a test of faith, nihilism versus spirituality, and 'Pleasures of the Flesh' shows the angle where the shift leans towards hope being lost and those moments when one is captured by the temptations of the dark side. It hints to a machine control world."

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"Esoterik" will be released on CD, vinyl — including an exclusive DMP vinyl edition — and digital on March 20th. An exclusive T-shirt design will accompany the release. Pre-orders are available via our EU, US and Bandcamp shops.

In spring 2026, BONG-RA will embark on a large European tour with avant-garde Extreme Metal entity THY CATAFALQUE. Further info will follow soon!