From Fuzz Idea to a Sonic Storm
When we first started designing what would become Capharnaüm, the goal was clear: create a fuzz pedal that sounds thick, nasty, and raw, with all the visceral punch of classic stoner fuzz—but modernized. We wanted something that would make Fu Manchu sound sick and heavy, but without the usual compromises of vintage fuzz: no noise issues, no brittle highs, just focused, expressive destruction.
The Spark from KAHFA
At the time, we were running the Monthly Pedal Giveaway for Swiss artists, and one band’s submission left a deep mark. That band was KAHFA, and their track Capharnaüm immediately stood out. It was the opening track from their album Contact (2025), and from the first seconds, it hit with the force of a seismic wave.
KAHFA doesn’t just play riffs—they summon them. Their music is dense, textured, and emotionally raw, a perfect blend of tight grooves, saturated guitars, and spoken-shouted vocals that cut through like a rallying cry. In my Rising Tones Session feature, I wrote that Théo’s voice feels like a riot leader’s sermon. That intensity stayed with me, and I started tuning the fuzz to sound like that voice, like that wall of guitar. In the end, I wasn’t just designing a fuzz—I was chasing a feeling.
The Name Was Already Written
As the circuit came together, we knew we needed a name that would match the emotional weight of the sound. We wanted something that meant overwhelming energy, but not in a violent or negative way—more like a beautiful, intricate mess of sound. And of course, in French, the word Capharnaüm made perfect sense.
It literally refers to a tangled, chaotic place, but there’s a poetic edge to it—a kind of creative entropy. When we heard Capharnaüm, it just ticked. At that point, it wasn’t even a choice anymore—it was obvious.
Wrath, Scorch, Pillar
We gave the controls names that reflect the ancient, elemental power we imagined when playing through the circuit:
- WRATH – controls the depth and ferocity of the fuzz
- SCORCH – shapes the tone, from thick and swampy to bright and biting
- PILLAR – sets the output level, keeping your sound towering above the mix
These controls are your tools to carve out sonic landscapes that feel like a city crumbling under low-end force—or rising from it.
Théo’s Reaction
Before we even launched the pedal, we sent the very first unit to KAHFA. Théo got to test it and said something that made me stop in my tracks:
“I heard our very own sonic storm in it. That kind of bond between two creations is rare and precious. In our language, we say: Ça chie! Big thanks to the team.”
We couldn’t have dreamed of a better response.
Music that Creates Music
This unexpected collaboration came from a place of pure feeling—their music inspired our circuit, and the circuit gave them something back. It’s one of those rare exchanges that just happens when the right notes hit at the right time.
We are incredibly grateful to KAHFA for the spark, the trust, and the friendship. Being part of such a talented, emotionally honest music community here in Switzerland is something I don’t take for granted.
This made the news on Doomed Nation!
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