Max Rael is a writer, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, engineer and producer.
He has remixed diverse artists such as Fish (ex-Marillion), Last July, Kommand + Kontrol, Bienheldenschafgegenstand and Freudstein
An uncanny knack for absorbing ideas, inspiration and techniques from seemingly disparate genres, digesting it and adding it to his previous knowledge and influences, leads to a thoroughly unboundaried approach when it comes to creating his own music. Although his work often seems drawn to darker themes, there remains a central core of hope. Whilst it may not be possible to ever fully heal from all the wounds and trauma we've been through, music and words can help us confront our deepest, darkest issues and our brokenness and come to accept it as a part of ourselves which is maybe the closest thing to healing that is possible.
The first song he ever played keyboards on took him all the way to national television back 1990, and he performed it live on Saturday morning BBC1 show Going Live with the rest of his school band Apres V. He jokes that it might have given him unrealistic expectations as to how successful the rest of his music career was going to be. (see footage of their illustrious performance at YouTube: Apres V on Going Live)
He is possibly best known as a founding member of post-industrial mavericks History Of Guns
In addition he co-wrote and played keyboards on tracks for two albums for acclaimed experimental death metal band, The Meads of Asphodel, as well as producing a body of work with the bands Xykogen, Blue Label, SPUCKTUTE as well as being a . He has also been a regular guest performer with the live incarnation of Action Directe.
His solo project Raelism, was an exploration into electronica with a focus on melody. The first release was Freedom Within the Prison (2014), followed by Back to the Battlefield (2015). He is currently working on an album with a return to lyrics titled, The Enemy is Us. The first track to be released from it was Self-Soothe Mechanism (2021) accompanied by a YouTube video.
More recently he has been supplying lyrics and vocals to ambient, post-rock, dark electronica project Decommissioned Forests alongside Daniel Vincent (The Resonance Association) and Howard Gardner (Non-Bio, Pillars of Golden Misery). They have released two main albums to-date albums Forestry (2019) and Industry (2022) and various EPs and singles.
"It is as if he has taken a pair of scissors and snipped up rock from the inside out."
- The Dreaded Press (review of History Of Guns album Acedia)
"In its entirety, Freedom Within the Prison's twists and turns are what make the thrill ever so special and engaging. Not knowing what to expect at any point just when you thought you figured it out is something to appreciate in a time when music can sound so samey. Volting through 80's synth electronica grassroots prove to be well under Rael's forte." - Ear Milk