The Coiled One, the sophomore release from Los Angeles-based Spahn Ranch, holds a revered spot both among die-hard fans and fellow musicians. Released during a turbulent period in the band’s history, this album diverged creatively from their earlier work, showcasing an eclectic mix of influences and sounds.
Regarded as somewhat of a concept album, The Coiled One explores the descent of the human psyche into madness, set against a cinematic backdrop of poverty, piety, evil, and machinery. This album stands out not just for its thematic boldness but also for its departure from the band’s previous work.
Today, Cleopatra Records has reissued The Coiled One. Originally released in 1995, this new version is enhanced with 8 bonus tracks that include album recording session outtakes that have previously never been released in any form. Under the co-production and engineering of Judson Leach, the album weaves sharp dance rhythms with a complex array of electronics and programming by Matt Green and Rob Morton. Fronted by Athan Maroulis, now of NØIR, the vocals add a gripping layer to the mix.
The title itself, referencing a Satanic sea serpent, is one of many biblical references that include Locusts and Babel, medieval zealot torture devices such as The Judas Cradle, and Heretic’s Fork, leaps into the digital maelstrom in Vortex, the mechanized urban compulsion of Compression Test and Infrastructure; and lamentations such as Threnody.
With that in mind, The Coiled One could have been an apocryphal ending to the band, instead it was a new beginning. In less than a decade, Spahn Ranch would go on to complete a total of five studio albums, four EPs and, in the process, perform more than 200 concerts in over a dozen countries before calling it a day in late 2000.
The re-release comes with a new fan video for Heretic’s Fork (2023 Remaster), directed by Projekt SMO.
The Coiled One was digitally remastered by industrial legend Jürgen Engler of Die Krupps and is now available for the first time on vinyl in a limited edition colored version that includes the original ten songs, as well as a limited digipak: The Coiled One: Deluxe Edition CD version (that contains the eight bonus tracks).
Order the album here
The Coiled One will also be available on all digital and streaming platforms.
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