Zimbabwean metal project Dividing The Element have released ‘Madutu’, their first new music in six years.
The single arrived today, 24 September, and is available on Bandcamp, where it can be downloaded for free for a limited time through the platform’s name-your-price option.
‘Madutu’ means “storms” in Shona, and the song draws directly from the long-term relationship between primary composer Chris Van and his partner of 18 years. The idea centres on staying together through difficult periods as well as the good ones, using the image of storms as a way of talking about endurance within a relationship.
The release marks the beginning of a new chapter for Dividing The Element after several years of inactivity. The project formed in Harare in 2012, with Van among its founders, and developed around the idea of making heavy music rooted in Zimbabwean language and culture.
Their self-titled debut album followed in May 2018. Recorded in Harare and produced by Van, the record made extensive use of Shona lyrics and was promoted at the time as the first metal album performed in the language.
Dividing The Element remained active into 2020, releasing ‘Pakaipa’ in May of that year. That single was written, produced, mixed and mastered by Van and had stood as the project’s most recent release until now.
Artwork for ‘Madutu’ was created by Gary Stautmeister, who has previously been involved with Dividing The Element’s recorded work.
Listen to ‘Madutu’ below:
