“Renewal” — A Cosmic Step Deeper into Aqua
Haze
1. The Song & Its Intent
1. “Renewal” follows “Singularity” as the second glimpse into Aqua
Haze. Why was this the right track to release next?
This is a song that was important to me to release. Its lyrics speak
of a busy and stressful time I went through, and despite everything,
I didn't break down. In my vision, I saw a crazy guitar solo, so I
asked my friend Ehud to record the solo in the song. After that, I
told myself that this was a song that had to be released before the
album. I simply listened to my heart.
2.The title suggests rebirth and transformation. What does
“Renewal” represent thematically within the album’s larger
journey?
This album is more mature, it's the beginning of a new direction for
Slowrepeat and for me too.
3. How do you want listeners to experience this
song—headphones, long drives, late nights, or ritual listening?
In any way they choose, but preferably with large speakers and
lots of bass and not with headphones 🙂
2. Sound & Atmosphere
4. Slowrepeat’s music feels meditative as much as heavy. How
intentional is that balance between crushing riffs and
trance-like repetition?
It all happened naturally, we didn't choose the balance on the
album, it just came out that way and it's really good, it makes the
listener interested.
5.The desert-fuzz aesthetic is strong here. What draws you to that
vast, hypnotic sonic space?
I don't think there was anything that specifically attracted me, I just
let my heart and soul come out and the result is what you hear,
and I really like fuzz and the desert too.
6. Bouzouki and Middle Eastern textures give the music a mystical
quality—how do those elements shape the emotional core of
“Renewal”?
In Renewal, there is no bouzouki, just a cool bluesy riff and an
endless rock solo. In the other songs, which do have bouzouki, it
felt like the right thing to play and add these sounds to the rest of
the music.
3. Evolution Since “Singularity”
7. Compared to “Singularity,” “Renewal” feels deeper and more
immersive. How does it expand the sonic universe you’re building
with Aqua Haze?
I try to stay in the same vein as Slowrepeat's music but try new
things every now and then, like different rhythms, instruments, or
different or additional lyrics so that the album doesn't get boring
and the sound expands and sparks interest, making the listener
understand that they have something to look forward to.
8. Were there risks taken on this track that you didn’t explore on
the first single?
No, there were no risks. Everything just flowed and formed into the
most correct path.
9. How do the two singles function together in setting expectations
for the full album?
Apart from the slower songs on the album – these two singles
reflect the style of the album and make the listener interested.
4. Band Formation & Chemistry
10. Slowrepeat began as a solo project and evolved into a three-
piece. How did that transition change the way songs like “Renewal”
are written?
Yes, I am the leader and the main writer, but on this album there is
an entire song that I did not write, but Yotam, it is called Exodus,
and the song Singularity is also a song that was written together
with Yotam, as is the instrumental track "Neima". Until then – both
on the EP and on Abra Cannabra I was the only writer, but Yotam's
influences helped the way the album was written.
11. What do Yair and Yotam bring to the sound that wasn’t
possible in the project’s early days?
They add a lively spirit to the music and this is evident in the two
songs on the album Psy Fuzz and Exit from the Maze, which were
originally recorded and included in the first EP and have now been
changed and re-recorded. Yotam also sing on Exit and it definitely
sounds good.
12. How does the trio dynamic influence the hypnotic groove that
defines your music?
The dynamics between us are good and when everyone adds an
idea, sometimes good music comes out of it and an idea that
surpasses expectations.
5. The Album: Aqua Haze
13. Aqua Haze is a striking title—what imagery or emotions does it
capture for you?
Aqua Haze are the words that open the song Exodus, that's
exactly what defines the album and my idea for the album name
came naturally, I consulted with Yotam and he liked it and that's
how the album name was actually born.
14. Is the album meant to be listened to as a full journey rather
than individual tracks?
Both, but it's always better to hear the piece in its entirety.
15. Where does “Renewal” sit in the emotional or narrative arc of
the album?
If I had to rate this, Renewal would be right in the middle.
6. Production & Sonic Vision
16. Craig Lauinger mastered the track—what was important
to preserve or emphasize during the mastering process?
It was important to me to preserve the heavy sound of the fuzz and
the bass. Rarig has known me and my music for several years and
he knows how to do the job so that the sound only improves and
so do the elements of the music. In my opinion, Craig is a
magician.
17. Doom and heavy psych rely heavily on tone. How obsessive do
you get about textures, fuzz, and space in the mix?
I am very obsessed with a low and heavy tone and I don't
compromise on it. Over the years I have experimented with all
kinds of sounds, but the experience and the effort that has passed
have shaped the sound you hear on this album.
18. How do you balance raw heaviness with clarity, especially for
such layered, atmospheric music?
The balance happens by itself, we didn't think about the balance,
we simply brought everyone to this album, and the order of the
songs we chose also creates a certain balance in the album.
7. Influences & Identity
19. Bands like Electric Wizard, Acid King, and Elder are often
mentioned alongside Slowrepeat—how do those influences
manifest without defining you?
I like the bands you mentioned but I haven't tried to create music
that resembles them. It probably happened by itself because I'm
influenced by them and other bands in these genres, so it's evident
in the music. On the other hand, I try to bring myself, but this music
is probably in my DNA.
20. How does being forged in the Mediterranean underground
shape your sound compared to traditional desert doom scenes?
The music I've heard over the years has also included
Mediterranean music, and I myself also play the bouzouki, so a
blend of all the music I was influenced by was created, and it
distilled into our music that you hear.
21. Do you see Slowrepeat as part of a scene, or more as a
solitary cosmic entity?
We are part of the global and local stoner doom scene, but we try
to maintain uniqueness while also operating as individual entities.
8. The Listener’s Journey
22. Many fans describe your music as immersive or even ritualistic.
Do you think of your songs as soundscapes rather than traditional
structures?
I don't try to work according to a traditional method. I let my mind
free and just play and that's what comes out.
23. What emotions or states of mind do you hope “Renewal”
unlocks for the listener?
Let them listen to the words and maybe they will identify with them,
not to break even when it's hard.
24. Have you noticed listeners engaging with your music in
unexpected ways?
No.
9. Looking Ahead
With Aqua Haze arriving in January 2026, what should listeners
brace themselves for beyond what the singles reveal?
25. A very interesting album musically, the sound is more polished,
there are fewer instrumental tracks than the previous album and
there are also two new songs from the first EP, I have no doubt
that listeners will enjoy it.
26. How do you envision translating the hypnotic weight of
“Renewal” into a live setting?
As it sounds on the album, we played this song once at one of our
shows and Ehud Danan also joined in and it was just an amazing
experience for everyone.
27. Is Slowrepeat’s future about going deeper into this sound, or
exploring new cosmic directions?
I can only say that we will start working on the next album and its
tone will be lower 🙂
10. Final Reflections
28. If “Renewal” is a turning point for the band, what chapter does
it open?
Our renewal is happening all the time and I am sure it will open a
new and good chapter for us.
29. What does Slowrepeat represent now that you couldn’t fully
express when the project began?
There is no substitute for human musicians. Even the songs we
renewed from the first EP sound better with Yotam and Yair than
the first versions recorded without them. They brought their spirit
and inspiration to Slowrepeat that were missing when I was a solo
project.
30. For someone discovering Slowrepeat for the first time, what
should they surrender to when pressing play?
For those discovering Antheno for the first time, I recommend
turning up the bass before pressing play and letting them immerse
themselves in the music and it will do the work.
All the Best !
Ben
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