FER DE LANCE To Release “The Hyperborean” This April

On April 22, FER DE LANCE will release their debut full-length album “The Hyperborean” via Cruz Del Sur Music. The follow-up to their 2020 “Colossus” EP was again produced and engineered by Matt Russell at Altered States Studio in Chicago.

Occupying the hard-to-find place between “Hammerheart”-era BATHORY, and Rainbow’s “Rising”, FER DE LANCE have expanded upon “Colossus” with seven new compositions that are rife with intricate and melodic guitar riffs, powerful and soaring vocals, and crisp acoustic guitar arrangements. The band has also expanded their lineup, bringing on the talents of former SEPT OF MEMNON drummer, Scud, and Mandy Martillo of MIDNIGHT DICE and SATAN’s HALLOW on acoustic guitars and vocals. MP again played electric and acoustic guitars in addition to lead vocals and tin whistle. Now with a full-time drummer in the band, Rusty focuses solely on bass. All joined in on background vocals and choirs.

“The goal is always artistic progression,” comments the band. “We wanted to keep the atmosphere established on Colossus, but we were determined to expand on that statement with our debut album. The album is venomous, yet also melancholic. In addition to incorporating more diverse soundscapes and dynamics, the songs are heavier, more complex and have a deeper underlying meaning.”

“The Hyperborean” title means “one beyond the north wind.” According to the band, it combines classical myth with more modern ideas regarding the “idealized” North. The cover artwork represents the album’s journey from the Mediterranean Sea to the Arctic North and was painted by Adam Burke with the layout elegantly designed by Annick Giroux.

“The album tells the story of a mariner,” says the band. “Leaving behind the depravity and injustice of the “civilized” world, the mariner travels north in search of a land devoid of pain and suffering. At the forefront of the artwork, the temple represents both the starting place and the civilization that the mariner aims to leave behind. The aurora borealis and the mountain of ice represent the desolate destination and the stars above, the guide.” The band continues, “The mariner and his crew follow the stars in the hope of salvation. However, what they find is not what they expect and those left unburied never cross Acheron.”

In addition to already working on material for further releases, FER DE LANCE is currently slated to perform at the prestigious Keep It True festival in Germany this April. Additional live performances in the USA are also in the works.



“The Hyperborean” track listing:
1. Aurora Borealis
2. The Mariner
3. Ad Bestias
4. Sirens
5. Northern Skies
6. Arctic Winds
7. The Hyperborean

ORODRUIN Ink Deal With Cruz Del Sur Music; New Album Due In October

Veteran Rochester, New York doomsters ORODRUIN have signed with Cruz Del Sur Music for the release of their second full-length album, “Ruins Of Eternity”. The album — the band’s first in 16 years — will see the light of day this October. 

Originally formed in 1998 by John Gallo (guitar), Mike Puleo (bass/vocals), Nick Tydelski (guitar) and Mike Waske (drums), ORODRUIN broke onto the American metal scene with 2003’s “Epicurean Mass”, which remains their lone full-length album to date. From the vintage school of BLACK SABBATH and SAINT VITUS doom with a European twist, ORODRUIN’s penchant for churning riffs and atmospheric passages instantly put them on the global doom metal map. The band issued a split, compilation, demo and EP in ensuing years, all building up to the eventual release of their sophomore album.

According to Gallo, ORODRUIN wrote nine new songs from 2016 to 2018, with a tenth song, “Letter Of Life’s Regret” coming from 2005. The album was tracked throughout 2018 at Wicked Squid Studio and is currently being mixed with the mastering process right around the corner.

“Stylistically, the songs are in the epic doom realm like the master titans of the 1970s, SABBATH and JUDAS PRIEST,” says Gallo. “The songs are a long-awaiting evolution in our writing and chemistry among brothers on a treacherous journey that will finally be unleashed to the masses.  We hope it translates well to the hearts and souls of our fans worldwide.” 

In preparation for the band’s triumphant return to European shores for this fall’s Hammer Of Doom festival, ORODRUIN have enlisted drummer Kevin Latchaw of labelmates ARGUS, who is temporarily manning the drum spot while the band searches for a replacement for Waske, who left ORODRUIN in April of 2018. 

Gallo: “We are extremely honored to be playing the same night as Uli Jon Roth and TROUBLE alongside our classic doom brothers MIRROR OF DECEPTION, SKALD and ATLANTEAN KODEX on the next day, to mention only a few!  We can’t express how amazing it will be to be playing a substantial doom metal festival in Germany again. We hope people enjoy the new material as much as we do playing it.”

ORODRUIN’s addition to Cruz Del Sur adds to an ever-growing stable of excellent doom metal bands. Not only will the partnership expose ORODRUIN to new audiences, it will put them in close company with many bands who they consider contemporaries. “We have been aware of Cruz Del Sur for a while and it seemed like the perfect home for us as we have a more European audience that appreciates our style of doom metal. Plus, it will be great to be alongside our fellow doom friends in WHILE HEAVEN WEPT, SLOUGH FEG and ARGUS.”

LETHEAN presents “Idylls Of The King”: pre-orders of “The Waters Of Death” open!

 

 

We’re glad to be finally able to present you LETHEAN’s “Idylls Of The King” off their debut album “The Waters Of Death”.

 

To be released on Nov 9, “The Waters Of Death” is an epic doom monolith that will appeal to fans of the genre especially those into Solstice or Atlantean Kodex’s atmospheres.

Accompanied by atmospheric cover art courtesy of German artist Stefan Bleyl, “The Waters of Death” is an album that details themes of decline, departure and the passage of time, reinforced by diverse imagery drawn from mythology, literature and the elements. Ambitious in scope and rich in the fundamental traits of epic heavy metal, “The Waters of Death” firmly places Lethean into their own category where class, intelligence and a taste for the bold reign supreme.

“The Waters Of Death” will be released on compact disc, vinyl and digital. Pre-order your copy here:

Compact disc: https://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=1858

LP (limited 400 copies, black vinyl, includes insert & download card):

https://www.cruzdelsurmusic.com/store/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=1859