Background information
Origin: Toronto, Canada
Genres: progressive electronic, electro-industrial, trance, world music, futurepop, experimental
Instruments: synth, keyboards, guitar, bass guitar, vocals, mandolin
Years active: 2010-present
Bio
Jacob Lang was raised in small town Ontario exposed to multiple genres of music throughout his childhood; primarily progressive rock, world music, hard rock, and post punk. It was inevitable for him to become a musician, as he showed greater interest in the music than any other hobbies or activities he was involved in. To occupy his time, Jacob would play music, perform theatre pieces, or write creative works like poetry or novellas. He has described that his greatest muse has always been in musicianship. After years of musical and theatre experience, multi-instrumentalist Jacob Lang has channelled his creative energy and passion into his own original music which he composes, mixes, masters, produces, and performs alone. He is responsible for all of the instrumentation and vocals in his project under the pseudonym: Malus Caelestis. Previous to the project, he had been the leader in many bands (primarily rock bands) which ultimately dissolved, and Jacob came to the realization that he is an independent worker. Though currently, he is also the bassist in rock band Evergreen.
On his own, he began looking into the works of independent writers like Roger Waters and his work with Pink Floyd, and Peter Gabriel and his work with Genesis. At this point, Jacob also looked into the psychedelic trance culture of Israel, and the 1980's post punk movement. These creative explorations also led him to find interest in industrial music.
Discography
EP's and Early Releases Malus Caelestis' earliest release was essentially a demo EP entitled The Ashen Cavalier in November, 2011. This release attempted to explore psychedelic and medieval sounds, however the EP received mostly negative reception due to its overall poor production. Jacob says that he was limited by what equipment he had at the time. A music video was also released for the single Forbidden Fruit. After this, Malus Caelestis worked on an EP of remixes. These remixes are of tracks by: SynSun, Kipster, Vmixx, and the Gnome Sorcery Federation. After this, a 3 track electroacoustic style demo was released, entitled Mirror Tracks. This included songs from The Ashen Cavalier reproduced.
These early tracks were all released in 2011.
Full Length Albums and Later Works
Enter the Chaos In July of 2011, Malus Caelestis released a single entitled Dreams End. This single, though only 1:57 in length, received positive reception as it is considered to be less cold, and more emotional, than any of his earlier works. Following that, the single Energy was released which is described as a track that is clearly influenced by 1980's electronic artists like Depeche Mode and New Order. These singles are both included on Malus Caelestis' first full length album Enter the Chaos.
Enter the Chaos is a very diverse 13 track CD that mixes medieval and renaissance style keyboards with modern/1980's style electronic beats. The album also incorporates elements of electro-industrial, futurepop, and world music. Though the majority of the tracks on Enter the Chaos are instrumental, Malus Caelestis reveals his voice in three songs: To Be Chained, Break the Chains, and Obtuse. The lyrical themes of these tracks discuss love, life and death. Malus Caelestis is also recognized for his unique baritone vocals that are often compared to Dave Gahan, Peter Murphy, or Ian Curtis. Enter the Chaos is considered a concept album because all of the tracks drive towards a central idea. Enter the Chaos is the story of a human being's psychological decent into an emotional chaos. The lyrics often symbolize the breakdown as the tight, restraining nature of chains.
Further Works and Additional Information Malus Caelestis says that he will include the use of many more instruments and experimental sounds on his next album (rumoured). Though he mentions that he will remain "primarily electronic," his further work will encompass the further use of instruments like the guitar, bass, and the mandolin. Malus says that music including the use of vocals will be more of a focus on this rumoured new album.