Mike YorK
Here you can find out chronologically, sorted from new to old, which topics have occupied me with the respective records. I don't write concept albums, but most of the time I have underlying themes that cast a shadow over the records. The ones that have kept me mentally and emotionally busy during this time.
Here you can find the records and other merch.
GIVE EARTH PEACE – 2022
The previous album MANKIND (2021) revolved a lot around my observations of the world, which were only confirmed by the pandemic. How people behave, in all their ruthlessness towards their environment. In a blockbuster, humanity always comes together in dire need and solves the great threat together. In reality, however, things turned out very differently...
The pandemic has not disappeared to this day and it will probably stay forever. But we now have every opportunity to step out of isolation and its shadow
again.
If you want that.
Has the world gotten better again? Have we learned anything from this wake-up call?
Unfortunately, not. The utopia of the screenwriters of big blockbusters did not come true at all in real life. After the pandemic had lost its first great fright,
it quickly became clear that people around the world had split even further into two camps. Those who renounced all scientific arguments and facts, and those who began to understand that we
urgently need to act. That we are causing great harm to this world and thus to ourselves. A knowledge that we have had access to for many decades.
Unfortunately, these days it is becoming overwhelmingly clear that we as humanity will probably never put our knowledge into action for our own good. We've been addicted to wealth like a junkie to heroin.
Whether each one of us or entire systems of government - we simply do not face the greatest challenge that humanity has ever had to face. A challenge for which we already know the solution, but are unwilling to solve it: the preservation and rescue of our own livelihood: the health of our unique, life-giving earth.
It is unlikely that soon enough we will begin to act extensively enough for humanity to sustain a livable existence. We'll probably dig our own grave.
We'll probably have to extinct before life on earth gets better again.
So, Give Earth Peace!
MANKIND – 2021
We live in difficult times. We are facing a global climate catastrophe and man-made zoonoses, which will probably kill humanity.
Mankind is the only species that saws its own branch and is ready to run blindly into its doom. Mankind is brutally exploiting the earth. Everything is subordinated to capitalism. Even humans themselves. Historically, humans have never been capable of holistic empathy. But our behavior is now becoming the ultimate and real threat to our own existence and we will unfortunately drag many innocent species with us into the abyss on our way. This fact cuts my heart into pieces.
After I last looked back into my punk and postpunk past together with Rëverend Gonz (12“/Tape Split release), it quickly became clear that the following songs would have a much more contemporary sound. Soundtracks from series and films such as Blade Runner, Jordskott, 8 Days, Stranger Things and above all Tales from the Loop have crept into my compositional work, which led me to want to revive an old tradition from the KALT times: On I had instrumental songs for many of these releases, which were always based on soundtracks. But this time I have dedicated a separate part of the CD version to these “scores for a film in my head”. These three Chapters complement MANKIND perfectly and reflect my quarrel with humanity.
On some of the songs I had the pleasure of counting on friends' support again. Besides Rëverend Gonz (Love Like Blood), who was ready to work with me again, I am very happy that Aeleth Kaven from La Scaltra was on board this time.
THE FIRST INCARNATION – 2019
The first songs released under my "alter ego" Mike York are one side of a split E.P. with RËVEREND GONZ. More here.
The very slow and dark songs are available as marbled vinyl (lim. 100 pcs.) in
transparent, light grey, dark transparent grey and transparent blue, as well as on cassette tapes (lim. 50 pcs.).
The track listing of the Mike York side is:
• 'Claustrophobiac'
• 'Your Heroes'
• 'Where Were You'
• 'Don’t Waste My Time'
Photography: Danny Elevator!