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Their name illustrates the key principle that unites all of their songs into an expansive narrative of personal evolution through introspect, spiritual development and the incredible power of music. Obsidian is a pitch-black volcanic glass that is used traditionally to absorb negative energies, and encourage mental/spiritual clarity. Music is widely considered a universal language, and for band members Brendan James Hayter and Greg Murphy, their musical ritual is The Obsidian Tongue.

After 2 demos (2010 Demo and the 2011 Subradiant Architecture Demo), their debut album “Volume I: Subradiant Architecture” was recorded and mixed onto vintage tape machines in March 2012 at Mystic Valley Studio in Medford by Alex Garcia-Rivera. The sound is organic and raw, allowing the compositions to speak for themselves.

The record was graced with the artwork of Norwegian artist Namtaru, of “Namtaru Creations”. Her grayscale illustrations provide 3 key visuals to guide the listener through the musical journey. The connection between these 3 illustrations is left for the listener’s imagination to create.

Founding member and guitarist/vocalist Brendan James Hayter: “The first string of compositional attempts I made in the extreme metal style, naturally congealed into a 50 minute record named Volume I: Subradiant Architecture. These songs truly came together in a connected fashion, so it was only proper to call it a Volume. Furthermore, Subradiant Architecture is a term for the imaginary “Shadow World” that much of the music takes place in, the consistent closed-eye visuals this music has given me since I first began to explore it. It suggests that the gods designed and built this lightless realm in our psyche like a piece of architecture, for Man to explore the origins of his despair and draw wisdom and power from symbolic images. In this life such emotions as despair, anxiety, abhorrence for mankind, and the uncertainty of my fate both in this world and the next, have been my greatest guides. It is like a sense of duty to honor the evolution I have undergone through these chronic internal storms, and through the catharsis of extreme metal music.”

lyrics

Frozen leaves clustered in symmetry
'round the King laying against his Funeral Tree
an ornate farewell to the supreme form of Self
Before the roots become hands and take him in

Wisdom smiles from his half closed eyes
In this realm, it is my only light

It has rained in this great hole left in me
Thorns of hate wrap around the tomb of the progeny

His final light shone a sequence of memories
Moments that mustn't be forgotten
The hiding of the whispering stones
& the verses to be sung for the dead

And I wept

Wept for the violence of prophecy
the loss of love and of memory
The decrepit village wrapped in fear
The goddesses that will disappear

As the Soulless call "Crush them all!"
I run to the secret place
The lake in the dream state
Looking for the stones
Before shadow legions know
The source of wisdom remains safe!

Wept for the silence that would give way
to the sound of life being swept away
Blood will wash all trace of sovereignty
What will this mortal war leave of me?

The walls of spirit force
suspending this primal realm
ripped down by shadow arms
only weakness will remain

Only weakness will remain now

credits

from Volume I: Subradiant Architecture, track released May 8, 2012
Brendan Hayter - Vocals, guitars
Greg Murphy - Drums

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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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