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Iris

by Altars of Grief

supported by
Matt Richardson
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Matt Richardson A truly stellar death/doom album with heavy doses of black metal. Tracks like Isolation, Child of Light, and Broken Hymns deliver the sorrowful and icy tone of this album, elevated by the stirring cello compositions of Raphael Weinroth-Browne. The album delivers a deeply satisfying crescendo in Becoming Intangible before stirring the soul once again with Epilogue.
Som Bhattacharyya
Som Bhattacharyya thumbnail
Som Bhattacharyya This album not only has predictably excellent moments of beautiful despair and melancholia , but the moments of visceral sharpness and aggression are a welcome surprise. Compositions that keep you guessing, Top tier production. All good everything. Doom on. Favorite track: Iris.
justanoldgod
justanoldgod thumbnail
justanoldgod “Iris” is one of those albums that pulls out all the stops and when it isn’t blurring the lines of multiple genres, it’s setting down stalwart ramparts firmly within one or another. An album that plays out like The Heroes Journey- an arc of inner turmoil, exterior conflict, a test of mettle on all fronts as you make your way in the world toward your one true destiny and stand at the gates with an open heart and all of the world at your back.
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  • Contains:
    Iris [4 Panel Digipack CD; Art by Travis Smith]
    Of Ash and Dying Light [10" Vinyl Split with Nachtterror; art by Sam Nelson]

    **Note: International shipping for this is quite expensive. Sorry, just the way it is.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Iris via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 3 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      €22 EUR or more 

     

  • T-Shirt/Apparel + Digital Album

    UPDATE DEC 2023: FINAL COPIES OF SHIRTS FOUND

    New Altars of Grief shirt, designed for the album release of "Iris". Artwork by Travis Smith [Seempieces]; Printed by Cursed Earth Apparel on Gildan Brand Shirt. Limited to 100 copies through Hypnotic Dirge in sizes Small - XXL.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Iris via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 3 days
    1 remaining
    Purchasable with gift card

      €18 EUR or more 

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    The new album from Saskartchewan Blackened Doom Band Altars of Grief. "Iris" is presented in a noble 4 panel digipack with a 6 page inlay with lyrics and notes. Album artwork by Travis Smith - Seempieces [Katatonia, Anathema, Opeth] Comes with an Altars of Grief sticker.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Iris via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 3 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      €12 EUR or more 

     

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more. Paying supporters also get unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app.
    Purchasable with gift card

      name your price

     

  • Full Digital Discography

    Get all 127 Hypnotic Dirge Records releases available on Bandcamp.

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Wrath, Kaer Morhen, Sodden, sound graveyard bound [2023], about all the bad days in the world, Inside, At the Gates of Adversarial Darkness, Worldtorn: Anemoia, and 119 more. , and , .

    Purchasable with gift card

      €39 EUR or more

     

  • Altars of Grief "Desolation" Pack [Shirt, CD, Vinyl, Patch, Sticker]

    Contains:
    -Altars of Grief - Iris CD [4 Panel Digipack / 6 Page Inlay; Art by Travis Smith]
    -Nachtterror / Altars of Grief - Of Ash and Dying Light [10" vinyl; split; Art by Sam Nelson]
    -Altars of Grief Shirt [Official Shirt for "Iris"; Art by Travis Smith]
    -Altars of Grief Patch [Unmerrowed, apprx. 14cm x 10cm; Limited to 80]

    Includes unlimited streaming of Iris via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    Sold Out

  • Altars of Grief "Iris" Pack

    Contains:
    -Altars of Grief - Iris CD [4 Panel Digipack / 6 Page Inlay; Art by Travis Smith]
    -Altars of Grief Shirt [Official Shirt for "Iris"; Art by Travis Smith]
    -Altars of Grief Patch [Unmerrowed, apprx. 14cm x 10cm; Limited to 80]

    Includes unlimited streaming of Iris via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    Sold Out

  • Altars of Grief "Iris | "Dying Light" | Burden" Pack

    Pick up all the physical audio media Altars of Grief has released so far. 2 CD's and 1 Vinyl.

    Contains:
    "Iris" - 2018 CD - Presented as a 4 panel digipack with a 6 panel insert
    "Of Ash and Dying Light" - 2015 Vinyl - 10" split vinyl with Nachtterror
    "This Shameful Burden" 2014 CD - Re-released in 2018 on 6 panel digipack with bonus tracks.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Iris via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    Sold Out

  • Altars of Grief "Iris" | "Burden" Pack

    Pick up both Altars of Grief CD's for a lower price.

    Contains:
    "Iris" - 2018 CD - Presented as a 4 panel digipack with a 6 panel insert
    "This Shameful Burden" 2014 CD - Re-released in 2018 on 6 panel digipack with bonus tracks.

    Includes unlimited streaming of Iris via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    Sold Out

1.
Isolation 09:19
Left alone With what I have become Close my eyes Kingdoms fall around me Crowned with scorn A heavy cross to bear Turn away I was never strong enough To face what I left behind Seeking comfort in anything That could distract my troubled mind The snow fell once again Guiding my journey’s end In solitude and twisted steel Haunted by the grief that I still feel Against an endless horizon The fire seemed to burn forever Another day smoulders into night Alone, I travel on Finally at peace in frozen isolation Where nothing dwells, but the spirits of my past This decision would haunt my life In the silence where all light dies And as the seasons began to change Revealing all that winter claimed Beneath the frost, in endless sleep A lonesome death for all to see Preserving where my failures led me Against an endless horizon The fire seemed to burn forever Another day smoulders into night Alone, I travel on
2.
Desolation 06:15
I opened my eyes To the night sky The unending storm Revealed itself before me Weightless in my resolve But, still a burden remains With this final breath “Please, forgive me” With every wasted prayer I’ve watched your body wither I’ve seen what you’ve become As you pushed me away Consumed by my pride I fled from your side And tried to understand Your faith in this wretched world That has condemned you The lights of home have faded Into desolation I gave you all that I had Your faith in this godless world Has lead you astray I opened my eyes To a sky in flames A cold wind lamenting Through the unending plains Within the frozen wreckage Is where I shall remain But, with this departure I’ll be with you once again I opened my eyes! I opened my eyes! I opened my eyes! I opened my eyes!
3.
Iris 06:20
Here I stand, head in hands Questions unanswered Do you hear my words? This altar, veiled in dust So long I’ve poured my faith Still, you have failed her Or, am I just blind and powerless? Cursed with this need to escape my reality I fall to my knees as she appears Iris, stained with blood Fall (No life left in her eyes) Close your eyes (Nothing I could do) Nothing inside (How could you turn away?) Turn away (Embrace this) Embrace finality “My god! I’ll see the Heaven’s burn! I’ll never forgive you for this!” As her cries subside No sound broke the still Silence is all that remains Within these walls I now see clear I was always alone Am I just blind and powerless? Cursed with this need to escape my reality Forgotten, as I’ve forgotten you I’ll never let you take from me again
4.
Crestfallen Two souls became one A vestige of serenity Grasping your cross Reaching out With your final breath A life departed Frozen and still In this silence, I know That you have found your peace The embrace of falling snow I brush the tears from your face I no longer remember When the world didn’t feel so cold I lift my arms for the sky And await this coming storm Empyreal flames Of my own creation I will wait forever For my salvation Before I surrender My faith unto you You who has taken Everything from me Winter descends Like ashes from the divine Breathe in the fire Let it swallow you whole Close your eyes I know I have failed you Child of light Go now, your heaven awaits Empyreal flames Of my own creation I will wait forever For my salvation Before I surrender My faith unto you You who has taken Everything
5.
Broken Hymns 08:11
With every passing day I’ve endured my mistakes And cursed the failing light That is should forever fade I stand now in the ashes Of a world become a tomb Every thought, another grave Interred with memories of you Bury me in my agony Drown me underneath all that I’ve lost I’ve grown tired of the light Of holding on to ghosts And longing for lost days I’m faced with my failures When I close my eyes I’ll pray for all of this to end Lowered down Into the waiting Earth A veil of soil Concealing your pain One day I can only pray That time corrodes This memory of you Cast away From this grey world Into oblivion And constellations Take this Earth From beneath me “Iris!” “Please, come back to me!” “Come back to me!” I’ve grown tired of the light Of holding on to ghosts And, longing for lost days I’m faced with my failures When I close my eyes I’ll pray for all of this to end
6.
Years have gone I hide behind a face That's not my own Can no one hear me? The night is long It mocks my weary faith I am alone My god, why have you gone? Voices of winter Beckon me forward Your words are ghosts That haunt the frozen air A fragile beacon that shines Through this bleak nightmare Restless hours In tranquil decay I wander the desolation Where only ashes remain This place once familiar Is now long forgotten Derelict arms reach out In desperation Buried alive In the graves I have made All that I know Is this reverie A vision of pale limbs Frozen forever Statuesque, as you A monument to failure This gathering darkness Shall never depart The misery of bereavement Consuming my thoughts This bitter season Becomes my prison Rending my heart All hope departs Buried alive In the graves I have made All that I know…
7.
Waiting for the end again The time has come to pass, my friend Waiting for this final judgement I’ve never felt this close to God I can barely see the sun I guess this path was truly flawed Judgement comes with revelation And, I’ve never felt so close to God Waiting for the end again Waiting for the end again Waiting for the end again Waiting for the end Waiting for the end again The time has come to pass, my friend Judgement comes with revelation I’ve never felt this close to God
8.
Epilogue 02:05

about

***Premiere of the track "Desolation" on No Clean Singing: www.nocleansinging.com/2018/02/13/an-ncs-premiere-altars-of-grief-desolation/#comment-623405

***Premiere of the track "Broken Hymns" on Toilet Ov Hell: www.toiletovhell.com/premiere-the-crushing-heartbreak-of-altars-of-griefs-broken-hymn/

***Full album premiere on Noisey: noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/59jmg3/altars-of-grief-bring-death-and-doom-to-the-canadian-prairies

Following the acclaimed Of Ash and Dying Light split album of 2015, Canadian Prairies doom metal juggernaut Altars of Grief is back with Iris, a second full length album of devastating proportions. This new blackened doom offering introduces new levels of dynamics and textures, and while it is the more accomplished work from the Saskatchewan band to date, it also carries the darkness and light personality that Altars of Grief developed since 2013. On Iris, melancholy and storytelling reaches new depths of beauty and sorrow. Containing equal appeal and oppression in its aesthetic, this new album will raise the bar for Canadian Doom-Death.

Altars of Grief's singer Damian Smith comments: "The story of Iris is very much rooted in our prairie surroundings and deals with the struggles of addiction, sickness and religion. A father finds himself unable to connect with and care for his young daughter, Iris, who has fallen seriously ill. Spiralling deeper and deeper into his vices, and feeling rejected by Iris’ new found and unwavering faith, he gets into his car and decides to leave her behind. Somewhere along the icy road, he loses control of his vehicle and perishes. His purgatory is to watch helplessly as Iris slowly succumbs to her illness without him."

Iris will feature the art of Travis Smith [Seempieces] (Katatonia, Opeth, Anathema). The cover artwork brilliantly depicts Iris’ final moments as she kneels before the winter beset church and embraces her fate.

For fans of Woods of Ypres, Adora Vivos, October Tide, and Swallow the Sun.

Those who stare at the dying light will fall into Iris.

credits

released March 21, 2018

Damian Smith - Vocals, Lyrics
Erik Labossiere - Guitars, Vocals
Evan Paulson - Guitars, Vocals, Programming
Donny Pinay - Bass, Vocals
Zack Bellina - Drums, Vocals (on track five)

Cello on tracks 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7 written and performed by Raphael Weinroth-Browne Track 8, “Epilogue” written and performed by Raphael Weinroth-Browne

Lyrics by Damian Smith (except for track 7, written by Erik Labossiere)
Music by Evan Paulson and Altars of Grief
Produced by Justin Bender & Altars of Grief

Recorded, Mixed & Mastered by Justin Bender at Blue Door Recording & Retrosleep Studios in Regina, Saskatchewan

Cello recorded by Dean Watson at Gallery Recording Studios in Ottawa, Ontario

Artwork and Layout by Travis Smith (Seempieces)
[Katatonia, Opeth, Anathema]

Concept by Damian Smith and Erik Labossiere


***

"Just as thoughts turn toward Spring and the coming of new life, this should be enough to take the wind right out of those seasonal sails. Death-doom indeed."
-The Obelisk

"Altars of Grief remind us that there is no sound heavier than that of our own sorrow, and no art more powerful than that which stirs a yearning in our very souls."
-Toilet Ov Hell

"Canada has not seen this caliber of blackened doom in many years, and it’s inspiring to hear what was lost being reincarnated in a new, yet familiar way."
-Kaje Music

"With this second album, Altars of Grief crown themselves, without a hint of arrogance, the lords of Canadian doom. "Iris" is so good."
-Ultraje

"Over eight tracks, the quartet melds the finer points of black and doom into a truly stirring composition"
-Noisey

"Iris is a nigh-peerless construct of somber beauty and one of the greatest doom metal albums in years."
- Metal Injection

"For all its darkness, Iris also feels at times like a ray of light piercing the all-encompassing night; a small ray of hope in a world that is all-but devoid of such a concept. The emotional catharsis on offer is on par with the greats of doom and gothic metal, and it’s hard not to be swept along by the pull of Iris, embraced within its bleak, yet paradoxically comforting sounds. "
-The Sound Not the Word


***

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Hypnotic Dirge Records Amadora, Portugal

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.

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