Metallurgical Fire
Beth Gladding will rip your soul in two with her voice. Beholden is one of the finest albums released last year. Terrific production. In equal measures both heavy and beautiful.
Favorite track: One More Fire.
Colin M.
Atmospheric & heavy, toeing the line between beauty and gloom. Memorable riffs and excellent vocals make for a great doom record.
Favorite track: Forgotten Kingdom.
warchrist30
That rare band that is uniquely itself. 10+ minute songs that feel to short. My life is richer for having heard this.
Favorite track: The Dagger.
Crossing the realms of post-metal and heavy rock, Beholden is a 6 track, 60-minute album, that mixes black metal, psyche-rock-influenced solos and doomy riffs with male and female clean & harsh vocals. The record spans genres without living in any singular one and yields both a united heartbreaking and feral sound. Beholden will be released on May 26th, 2023.
"The overall theme is the power of relationships and connectivity. Life challenges us but ultimately we have to know our own strength. Like the Stag Priestess depicted on the cover of the album, there is an otherworldly part of each of us that tames the fire of the unpredictable and approaches the world in spite of it with kindness. She can walk the forest in the dark. The songs call upon that desire."
Greeted by the album's opener "Forgotten Kingdom", this heavy, groove-fueled track twists and turns through gloom, doom-filled paths. Powerful harsh vocals enhance the intensity while stunning clean vocal harmonies introduce an ethereal edge. Exploring dynamics of power in relationships, and how so often control is yielded to another at the expense of self, INHERUS aptly portray their lyrical concepts through musical performance. Venturing on a dynamic journey through textural landscapes, Beholden leads to the dramatic finale "Lie to the Angels". Stepping into progressive lands, intricate lead guitars, thundering percussion and non-standard time signatures feed into the chaotic and dark mood of the track. With demonic harsh emerging through the shadows, "Lie to the Angels" unleashes the outfit's ominous side. However, the track is not without glimpses into the light, as soaring clean harmonies, delicate drum hits and soft atmospheres deliver a tranquil contrast.
credits
released May 26, 2023
Anthony DiBlasi (WITCHKISS) - Bass, Vocals
Beth Gladding (LOTUS THIEF, FORLESEN, BOTANIST, PALACE OF WORMS) - Vocals, Guitar, Synth, Mandolin
Brian Harrigan (GRID, SWALLOW THE OCEAN) - Vocals, Guitar, Synth
Andrew Vogt (LOTUS THIEF, SWALLOW THE OCEAN) - Drums
Recorded, mixed & mastered at Beacon Soundworks with Mike Uscifer.
Album artwork created by David Paul Seymour.
Audio for the video "Forgotten Kingdom" was Mastered At West Westside by Grammy award-winning mastering engineer Alan Douches (FLEETWOOD MAC, MONSTER MAGNET)
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"The music here is obviously wonderful, transitioning from doom to post-metal atmospheres and sometimes prog. So, grade-A shit. "
-Machine Music
"The album is chock full of memorable riffs and musical intent."
-Musipedia of Metal
"An album overflowing with riffs that take on a life of their own—that grow and swell like a pair of lungs—and they will absolutely haunt you."
-Noob Heavy
"A stunning debut of cathartic doom metal and dirge rock"
-Decibel Magazine
"This music will stay in your head for a long time after you walk away."
-Flying Fiddlesticks
"The guitars and bass sound huge, with the vocals perfectly balanced and clear, without overpowering or being overpowered."
-Angry Metal Guy
***
Hypnotic Dirge Records releases are available on Bandcamp for streaming and unrestricted digital download for free / by-donation. (All donations go towards physical releases and other label expenses)
During pre-orders, the digital price is set at $5, but resets to $0 on release day.
Our philosophy is rooted in the principle of open-source and unlimited access!
Hypnotic Dirge Records is an independent record label and webshop based in Saskatchewan, Canada and Lisbon, Portugal active since 2008. Our intention and raison d'être is to release quality expressive and eclectic art through aural manifestations.
Brooding black metal on Vendetta records, Svartmálm slow the genre’s core ingredients and add bracing emotional heft. Bandcamp New & Notable Jul 20, 2018
