From their debut in 2010 on, the Brussels-based Razen aimed at using the unique timbral and drone characteristics of their chosen string and wind instruments in improvised, instinctive music that mixes pre-industrial, spectral and ethnic dreamtones with trance and medieval mysticism.

Originally a duo of Brecht Ameel and Kim Delcour, over the past years Razen has grown into a larger ensemble, with the addition of Pieter Lenaerts on 5-string double bass and sarangi, Paul Garriau on hurdy-gurdy, and David Poltrock on ondes-Marthenot. The band has built a strong reputation in Belgium and abroad, both on their recorded output as with their ever-changing live shows.

“an intoxicating sauce of stark and tripped out ritual music… which conspires to keep listeners in a semi-permanent trance state” (Julian Cope / Head Heritage)

“a heady brew of deep listening music that is almost medieval in mood and wholly reverential in technique” ( Edwin Pouncey / Wire Magazine)

“… eine wenn auch nicht ausserweltlich so mit Sicherheit jedoch aussergewöhnlich schöne und seltsam berührende Musik” ( Holger Adam / Skug Journal für Musik )

“Razen push the drone potential of medieval instruments like hurdy gurdy as well as shawm and recorders… into realms of total sensory overload” (David Keenan / Volcanic Tongue)