Post-metal artist Shuggah has released her powerful and long-awaited debut album Her Chrysalis via Mongrel Records. A genre-blurring, deeply emotional body of work, the album invites listeners on a sonic journey through tension, release, and catharsis.
Blending the raw energy of metal with the atmospheric depth of post-rock, the record showcases Shuggah’s unique sonic voice—shaped by years of evolution from her early days in Cape Town’s underground techno scene to her current life in the tranquil art village of Riebeek Kasteel.
Inspired by artists such as Russian Circles, Chelsea Wolfe, Psychonaut, Cult of Luna, and Tool, Shuggah crafts expansive soundscapes using dreamy yet aggressive guitar layers and wide, thunderous drums—delivering an experience both ethereal and visceral.
A Journey Born in Nature and Ritual
The journey toward this debut began in 2019, when Shuggah relocated from Cape Town to the mountains and vineyards of Riebeek Kasteel. There, surrounded by nature and immersed in a new daily rhythm of ritual and introspection, she began building the emotional and sonic foundation of the album.
“I had moved out to the mountains to start creating it—into this gorgeous valley, on a vineyard. Everything in my routine was new, from the dirt I was exploring to the yoga practice I had started. It was a very spiritual and deep experience for me, and I think it came through on the album.”
Music Meant to Be Felt
Entirely instrumental, Her Chrysalis is designed to be felt rather than simply heard. It unfolds like a cinematic arc—with emotional highs and lows, tension and release—drawing the listener inward for an experience of emotive release and internal reflection.
Shuggah’s creative process was meticulous and sacred. She used violin bows on guitars, environmental recordings from her surroundings, and even the crackle of fire from ceremonial burns, giving the album a ritualistic intensity that resonates from start to finish.
“I wanted to pay my respects to the music through ritual and keep the process special. If I cared a lot, it would come through in the songs.”
Rising From Setback to Release
Despite completing the album after a focused two-year recording process, Shuggah faced a major setback when her home studio was broken into and ransacked, leaving her without equipment and shaken. Miraculously, the finished album survived.
“All I could think was how glad I was the album was finished.”
A Defining Moment for a Multi-Disciplinary Artist
Shuggah is a multi-disciplinary artist, known for her work in photography, dance, and film—elements that inform her visual storytelling and self-directed music videos. This release marks a defining moment in her creative evolution and a bold entrance into the post-metal landscape.
Check out the video for her track, “Amas Veritas” below:
You can buy/stream Her Chrysalis HERE.
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