we have learnt more
from the bones of the past
than the blood of
our children

The Project

Mystral Tide is an underground music project founded by Australian born artist/promoter Ivan Bullock. Operating as a solo recording and performance outfit, we are now firmly based in Melbourne Australia after spending significant time during the past decade in Tokyo. Stylistically Mystral Tide has shifted from early experimental rambling midi and sample based metal, to electronics and predominantly dark ambient classical sound. Piano and minor block chordal melodics form the front line, melded with a variety of rhythmic styles influenced by industrial and new electronic movements.

Mystral Tide doesn't cater to a scene, demographic, or target audience. The supporters and friends who have been with us through this journey range from followers of contemporary classical music through to gothic industrial subculture. Music is produced in a snap-shot environment, a tiny minimalist studio where emotion (predominantly dark and critical) is expressed, moreso by intervals and pitch than by lyrics or aggression.

1999-2000

The project began in Tokyo during 1999, a rudimentary Shibuya studio consisting of plastic Casio keyboard, PC and electric guitar. Early experimental recordings formed an outlet for psychological frustration, alienation and a deep discontent with mankind and the modern breed of selfishness. The first online presence was titled Mystral Tide, the name remained, but the music changed.

Tokyo was a breeding ground for new culture, graphics, music and an inherent understanding of all things far shifted from the mainstream. As a reaction and platform to acquire live performance opportunities, the first CD "Moiety" was released independently in February 2000. It was a raw, unmixed and unedited piece of live progressive gothic metal floated against drum and bass. Shortly thereafter came the short-run release of the first EP, "SY-S-D", and "Moiety Edited Version" later included several new pieces.

By now the project had acquired enough financial support to invest in a Gateway 400Mhz PC (top of the line at the time), and a second-hand full size digital EP-7 piano on loan. This led to the incorporation of piano and classical instrument sounds into almost all recording since. The first CD to develop this movement into Darkwave was "Etchings", a short run CD frothing over with depressed self-analysis.

 

2001-2002

The stronger tracks from "Etchings" were incorporated into the next CD, "Altercated", again released only in Tokyo and via internet. Side project Trucido was born with close friend and fellow estranged foreigner Adam Hauch, and concerts began. The debut performance of both projects was entitled Labyrinth for the Brains V, a dingy metal-fest, rarely visited by keyboards, let alone gaijin. During frequent nights exploring the scene, Adam and Ivan joined forces with ex-das bunker DJ Statik, and re-established, personally funded and DJ'd for monthly Tokyo Industrial event CyberAgeVoodoo. Concerts continued and music flowed daily.

An inescapable recording addiction led to the production of two years work, what we define as the "first cd" - 'Whirlpool of Souls", for which we were honored to be signed to Australian indie label Zeitgeist Records. A release party was held at CyberAgeVoodoo, and at last a run of hard promotion saw results with positive press and net reviews. Sean from Zeitgeist showed incredible friendship and support, traveling to Japan to assist the project and guest DJ in the new club. Shortly thereafter Mystral Tide was invited to provide live support for Japanese dark experimental project Seij minus aÇ in Tokyo, and later Wave Gotik Treffen in Leipzig. A distribution contract was made with Frankfurt based SX.

 

2003-Present Day

The next three years spelled out a very difficult sequence of events. We were desperate to record a follow up concept album and ride along the support and unintended recognition W.O.S had brought. Alas, it couldn't be done. Further personal issues, a shocking move back to hometown Canberra, and a later move to Melbourne drained sacred time away from friends, instruments and everything audio. A majority of the studio equipment was disbanded and a mundane era of responsibility began, and the music industry seemed to be aging rapidly.

During 2005 the stops were pulled out. Something had to give, and we were determined to meet the final objective, "Geometry of Loss", a seething cold electronica 2CD concept album which to date is still in progress, but finally dangerously close to completion. Ivan founded DEMUS dark electronic music underground as a reaction to a wealth driven, regurgitation filled music industry which had failed to move with the times. Demus embodied an entity purely to support underground talent by acting as a record label, artist communication resource, and event / promotion organization, corporation-free and entirely non-profit. Seeing that their was still life and enthusiasm in an era where music had become disposable 3 minute entertainment, we joined the opposing force.

Melboune has treated us well since becoming active in the studio again. Venues are generally friendly towards experimental artists, fellow musicians have inspired us, and the path is back in place. During this year we have involved numerous guest artists and musicians in the recording of GOL, and begun a side project TikTokTek with Adam, Zamir of local act ElectroKore and Ben of Cassandra's Myth.

We really look forward to the next release, the next concert, and above all the opportunity to thank those who have supported Mystral Tide and waited some four years for the action to resume.