The Deathtrip Demon Solar Totem Svart Records / Profound Lore 15 November 2019 |
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Cult
Black Metal band The Deathtrip have scrawled their ghostly sigils on
blood-contract with Svart Records (EU) and Profound Lore (North America)
for their sophomore album Demon Solar Totem, the follow-up to 2014’s
debut, Deep Drone Master. Featuring the long-due return of Kvohst
(Ex-Dødheimsgard/Code) on lyrics/vocals joining the cold, hypnotic riffs
of Host (Thine), the primal drumming of Storm (Ex-My Dying Bride,
Blasphemer) and introducing the bass playing of Thomas Eriksen (Mork),
The Deathtrip offer tickets to primeval possession and open portals to
other dimensions. Demon Solar Totem captures the spirit of ancient
Darkthrone, Thorns and Beherit imbued with old-English occultism and the
chanting of sacred sound formulas. Otherworld Black Metal eeriness for a
deep dive into spectral realms, Demon Solar Totem will be released on
November the 15th 2019.
The
Deathtrip began around 2003 by UK-based guitarist/composer Host, with a
view to create some cold black metal tracks, evoking a feeling beyond
what was generally circulating in the scene at the time. Very much a DIY
project, the initial recordings consisted of songs featuring raw yet
distinctive riffing over intentionally stripped down, repetitive and
simplified programmed drums, combined with a raw-as-can-be ‘production’.
The aim was for something hypnotic & primitive, achieved by using
repetitive structures and multi-layered guitar parts. Having played the
songs for a select few, it was Kvohst (Hexvessel/Grave Pleasures,
ex-<code>, ex - DHG) who initially took an interest in the songs,
before sending them to Aldrahn (Urarv, ex-DHG, Thorns). Upon hearing,
Aldrahn instantly felt a wish to become part of the beast - the essence
of the music itself being an extension of his early work with
Dødheimsgard - & so took on vocal duties, as well as becoming chief
lyricist. Songs were sent around to a few close associates, including
Snorre Ruch (Thorns/Mayhem) who, having been impressed by the tracks on
offer, expressed a great interest in helping to develop a full-length
album with the band and becoming a part of The Deathtrip’s machinery.
The
full album debut, already established to be titled ‘Deep Drone Master’
long before, was finally recorded, re-recorded, & mixed in these
years. Dan Storm Mullins & Jon Wesseltoft had been enlisted on drums
& bass, with mixing duties handled by Snorre, as well as forming
the album’s sinister intro. With a lyrical exploration of twisted
darkness & death truly befitting of the band’s moniker, as well as
deep introspection, ‘Deep Drone Master’ was widely accepted as a cult
Black Metal classic.
Taking
on an even more hypnotic & mystical edge, Host’s new songs for the
follow-up album to ‘Deep Drone Master’ slowly materialised over the
following years. Recording eventually commenced in 2017 with Storm
returning on drums. Around this time, Aldrahn had launched his new
project, Urarv. With this new venture being a perfect outlet for the
vocal visionary’s unique expression, Aldrahn subsequently parted ways
with The Deathtrip.
Work proceeded on the new Deathtrip recordings,
along with lingering doubts about whether the second release would see
the light of day, and who could do full justice to the vision of Host.
In the interim, bass tracks were laid down by Thomas Eriksen of
Norwegian black metallers Mork & it was then, in 2018, that talks
began with the band’s original vocalist, Kvohst about the prospect of
returning. Ideas were put in motion for a new journey into the spectral
realms, under Kvohst’s masterfully crafted narration. Something deeper
and more ritualistic, meticulous and magical started to grow. An
entirely new and potent dimension was conjured around the tracks as they
assumed their final form in early 2019, with the final results
manifesting in second album, ‘Demon Solar Totem’.
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Wednesday, December 25, 2019
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