Following on the heels of 2015’s captivating Inflamed Rides, the members of the powerful collective O.R.k. — lead singer Lorenzo Esposito Fornasari, Porcupine Tree bassist Colin Edward, Mart Sui Tubi guitarist Carmelo Peptone and King Crimson drummer Pat Mastelloto — were primed to deliver an even more potent statement for their sophomore offering. Coming off of a triumphant tour of Europe and South America, they were charged to take things up a notch. And so it was with Soul of an Octopus, their second recording and RareNoise debut. This one finds the four kindred spirits dealing in even deeper waters. “After Inflamed Rides we did around 30 shows in Europe, Argentina, Chile and Mexico this year,” says Fornasari. “That definitely helped us to reign in our sound and get to a more focused mutual vision. So all the pieces from the new album represent an honest and effective picture of who we are as O.R.k. right now. That said, people who have listened to the new stuff - included our booking agents - think this is at least four times more powerful and intense than Inflamed Rides.”