Shepherds Of Cassini

Shepherds of Cassini is a psychedelic prog quartet from Auckland, New Zealand. Formed in 2012, the group features Omar Al-Hashimi on drums, Vitesh Bava on bass, Felix Lun on electric violin, and Brendan Zwaan on guitar, vocals, and keys.

Atmospheric, turbulent and epic, Shepherds of Cassini deliver an immersive fusion of crushing riffs, psychedelic breakdowns and hypnotic sound experimentation. Featuring intricately arranged rhythms, interwoven exotic melodies, and vocals ranging from soothingly gentle to brutally fierce, the quartet conjures a sonic landscape that is as ominous as it is serene.

To date, the band has released two full-length albums, with their third, In Thrall to Heresy, to be released on 21st February 2025.

The origins of Shepherds of Cassini trace back to 2008 at the University of Auckland, where drummer Omar Al-Hashimi and bassist Vitesh Bava first met while playing together in the band Pilgrim’s Pyre. During this period, Vitesh also met guitarist/vocalist/keyboardist Brendan Zwaan at a show featuring Brendan’s band, Flood.

Following the disbandment of Pilgrim’s Pyre in 2011, Vitesh and Omar sought to begin a new project. By then, Vitesh had already met violinist Felix Lun from the band An Emerald City through mutual friends. By February 2012, all four musicians came together, forming Shepherds of Cassini and playing their first show at Lucha Lounge in Auckland in July of the same year.

The band entered the studio at Depot Sound in May 2013 to record their debut full-length album with engineer Dave Rhodes. Released on August 23rd of the same year, the self-titled album Shepherds of Cassini garnered positive reviews both locally and internationally. Following its release, the band gigged extensively while concurrently crafting new material.

In April 2015, they returned to Depot Sound to record their second full-length album, Helios Forsaken, once again engineered by Dave Rhodes. Released on July 11th of the same year, the album received acclaim from both local and international critics, further expanding the band’s reach beyond New Zealand.

Early 2016 marked the beginning of a hiatus for the band as members pursued personal endeavours and side projects, including Felix and Omar’s collaboration in Star Control. Omar also played in the band Ginzu and the Steak Knives, while Brendan delved into his solo project, Asymmetrical Faces. Despite the break, the band’s music continued to gain traction worldwide through online platforms and music media outlets.

Following a seven-year hiatus, the band reunited in 2023, regrouping in Auckland with a renewed passion for creating music. They swiftly began working on new material, returning to the studio at The Chapel in February 2024 to record their third full-length album, In Thrall to Heresy, once again with engineer Dave Rhodes. With production now complete, the album is set for release on 21st February 2025, marking an exciting new chapter in Shepherds of Cassini’s journey.