Avante-garde post-rock outfit Apse are gearing up for a busy 2008. The last time we checked in with the Cape Cod, MA six-piece was in 2006 on the heels of their elegant LP Spirit. Originally released on Spanish imprint Acuarela Discos, the record will be re-released in May this year (according to the band “60 days from March 5th”) via ATP Recordings.

In addition to the re-release of Spirit, the band will also be dropping a 45-minute EP titled Eras initially in a beautifully packaged vinyl-only format in April and eventually in CD/digital format by mid-summer. The extended EP “will feature new material, covering a range of different kinds of songwriting and experimentation. It has musical ties to Spirit, but is the most progressive, experimental and exploratory record the band as made to date.”

Following the EP, the sextet plans to unleash a brand new full-length in the autumn which is currently in the works with over 30 new tracks. Apse won’t just be busy in the studio though, they have lined up an aggressive European tour that kicks off on April 24th and continues well into May, including a stop at All Tomorrow’s Parties. Here’s to hoping for some U.S. dates (outside of New England would be nice).

The tracklisting for the EP along with some mp3′s to tie you over are below, including the grinding “Up In The Eaves” from the Eras EP.

[MP3]: Apse  ”Keep”
Apse, Acuarela Discos; 2005
[MP3]: Apse  ”Shade of the Moor”
Spirit, Acuarela Discos; 2006
[MP3]: Apse  ”Up in the Eaves”
Eras EP, Equation Records/Acuarela Discos/ATP; 2008

Eras Tracklisting:
Side A
01. “Cyd”
02. “Ark”
03. “Up In The Eaves”
04. “Gloom”
05. “The Letter”

Side B
01. “Deathless”
02. “Wishlist”
03. “The Tipping”
04. “Black Stars”
05. “Salt Of The Earth”