Machinarium by Chiraw

Chiraw
Chiraw: raw energy that comes forth from creativity. That’s basically the sum up of this metal band from the Netherlands. Chiraw was founded in 2006 and laid to rest in 2013.

Machinarium
Machinarium is a fictional story about a scientist trying to improve life. His experiments are classified and take an unforeseen turn when he gets to involved with his own ego. The story is provided in this download (also for free).

The Concept
Before calling it a day guitarist George-Paul (Gep) Henneberke made a plan with vocalist Robin de Groot to create a concept album.
So, Henneberke wrote a story called “Machinarium” and divided it into different chapters, each chapter would correspondent with its own song making the two go together. De Groot then wrote his lyrics and vocal lines to the story and song. Sometimes De Groot’s lyrics would influence the story, so they would sit down and re-write the story or the lyrics to get the best out of both in the end.

When everything was written, they asked artist Martin Pikkaart to illustrate some parts of the story to make it all go full circle and speak in story, lyrics, music and pictures.

Recording Machinarium
Concept songs need to be recorded properly and so drummer Ric Brand followed up by booking a studio, setting up his drum kit and mics and started recording the drums. After Ric’s part was done, Desmond Kuijk stepped in to record the bass followed by Gep Henneberke recording the guitars. Both where done at Brand’s place: Red Barn Studio. With the drums, bass and guitars in play it was time for Robin de Groot to drop his vocal lines and shouts over at Henneberke’s place. Last but not least, Henneberke added electronics, synths, sound-design, f’ed up vocals and some ambiences to put the cherry on top.

This all was done in 2012 and 2013 followed by Chiraw quitting and leaving the album as it was.
Some attempts to finish the album where made but due to everybody being busy with his own life, it never really took off again.

Finishing it up!
2017 came and Desmond Kuijk suggested he would collect all the recorded material and mix it together. Immediately everyone agreed and made sure that Kuijk would receive all the recorded material. Corrupt files, missing files, software updates, glitches and a lot more hurdles came along with a project like this that has moved around a lot while collecting dust. Luckily Kuijk buckled down, straightened out what was possible and finished mixing the album over at his place: Moonbear Music. Henneberke then mastered the tracks, finishing Machinarium and putting it out for everyone to download for free.

Thanks
We, Chiraw, have put a lot of work into this album back in the day. Finishing it was not an easy task as can be read above. The end product is not perfect, but the best we could make of it years later.

We finished the album for each and everyone that supported us, especially the ones that came to our shows and made playing live an amazing experience. Next to that, we finished it for ourselves, for Chiraw and the life long friends we’ve become. Thank you all again, and we hope you enjoy Machinarium.

Desmond, Ric, Robin and Gep

Chiraw

Chiraw-Machinarium Roles
Robin de Groot: Vocal/Shouts/Lyrics/Concept
Ric Brand: Drums/Recording/Editing
Desmond Kuijk Bass/Recording/Mix
Gep Henneberke: Guitars/Story/Songwriter/Electronics/Recording/Master
Martin Pikkaard: Artwork/Illustrations Machinarium