Maïak opens the chest and releases their recordings from 2011, a collection of seven tracks created in the band’s early days. At the time, it had only been a year since the band formed in Lausanne, Switzerland.

“We wanted to perform live, and the idea was to have a demo for promotion and touring. We recorded all seven tracks in just one weekend, and, to be honest, we didn’t always tune our guitars in between takes,” shares Antoine, one of the band’s members.

Formed in 2010, Maïak consists of four musicians—drums, bass, and two guitars—each with a history in progressive and instrumental music. David, the bassist, was recovering from the breakup of his previous band, The Evpatoria Report, when he joined Maïak.

Maïak’s sound is a blend of dark, powerful post-rock, evolving between delicate melancholy and chaotic outbursts. Their music reflects a shared love for long, slow-building compositions, and a fondness for saturated tube amps, which they use to make an impact. Whether it’s sorrow or fury, their music has a knack for drawing out intense emotions from the listener.

While the band’s titles often feature dark humor and political cynicism, they leave interpretation up to the listener, inviting each person to engage with their music in their own way.

The tracks on “geiger discounter” are shorter, with fewer tension-builds, and more direct in their delivery compared to what the band would create in later years. Despite working with limited resources, the recordings are full of raw, unfiltered energy. Enjoy!