Prepare For A 260 BPM Descent into Chaos w/ ANCIENT THRONES New Music Video “Melancholia” Off Upcoming Album “Melancholia” Out Sept 2025

Set to unleash their sophomore album “Melancholia” on September 19, 2025, to follow their 2020 breakout debut “The Veil”, Halifax, Canada’s progressive death metal titans Ancient Thrones are sharing their second single and title track, accompanied by a new music video.

At 260 beats per minute, Ancient Thrones introduce the protagonist of their concept record, his condition, and how he describes feeling out of place, plunging listeners headfirst into his psyche.

“With unrelenting intensity from the opening second, the title track Melancholia is simply a demonstration of what we set out to do with this album. Not one instrument stands out more than the other on this track, as it storms through a plethora of chaotic riffs, rapid blast beats, and lightning-quick vocals at 260 beats per minute, before reaching a breaking point where we flip the script to welcome change both musically and lyrically. If you like to invite some emotion to go with your extreme metal, then this is the song for you,” adds bassist Matt LeBlanc.

Watch and listen to the music video for “Melancholia” via Slam Worldwide:

Formed in 2011 and reborn in 2018 with the arrival of guitarist and composer Dylan Wallace, Ancient Thrones carved out a new identity rooted in fast, extreme, progressive, cinematic, and existential soundscapes. With “Melancholia”, the band introduces a 42-minute descent into existential exhaustion, delivering an unapologetic extreme metal concept album that fuses blistering speed, cinematic storytelling, and emotional brutality.

From the chaotic opener “A Moon Fused Key” to the doom-laden closer “Vacant,” the band exposes raw intensity and jagged vulnerability. The narrative follows a colorblind protagonist navigating hallucinogenic visions in search of meaning, an unsettling journey through idealism, dread, and transformation. After five years of creation, Ancient Thrones proudly bring to light this new chapter, inviting listeners to embrace the chaos and feel something truly unnatural.

“For this album, a big focus for us was on the production. We meticulously, painstakingly spent several hours dialing every tone, note, layer, vocal, etc. We were fortunate to have time and a slower world on our side during production. Everything on this album was thought out and brought to life in a fully fleshed-out way. It took us 5 years to make this album, with 1 of those years used just levelling up our musicianship and techniques in order to play the material. We’re faster, more technical, and have a singular focus to make sure this album was beating you down from head to toe,” says Leblanc.

Drawing from the raw ferocity of black metal, the brutal edge of 2000s death metal, and the precision of modern tech death, “Melancholia” is a must-listen for fans of Archspire, The Red Chord, Deafheaven, and The Faceless.

A Metal Odyssey of Self and Survival – NIGHT’S EDGE Unveils New Video “Shapes in Grey Space II : Soaring” Ahead of New Album Out Aug 21st

With their fourth full-length album, “The World That Never Was,” set to drop on August 21st, 2025, Baltimore-based trio NIGHT’S EDGE is unveiling one last visual offering ahead of release day. In collaboration with Ghost Cult Magazine, the band premieres the music video for “Shapes in Grey Space II: Soaring”, the second installment in a three-part suite that closes the album. The two-and-a-half-minute ballad of symphonic alternative metal track unfolds a Twilight Zone-inspired narrative, exploring themes of isolation and the transformative journey of self-discovery it can spark.

“Soaring is a hardcore banger in ¾, as fancy as it is intense. The sudden pauses and shifts in direction of the music catch you off guard, while the vocals make you feel like you are ascending into the chorus, with mixed feelings of freedom while remaining tethered to reality. The words reflect our inner turmoil of free will versus the outside forces that control us. When writing Soaring, Damian constantly referred to the movie “Chronicle,” a found-footage thriller about teenagers who get superpowers. Not sure how that connects, that is for you to figure out!” adds Brian Haran – Vocals, Bass, Keys, Programming.

Since forming in 2018, Night’s Edge has undergone several lineup shifts and sonic evolutions, making notable strides since their 2019 debut. Rooted in the Alternative Metal realm yet defying easy classification, their sound blends gothic metal, progressive rock, and nu-metal influences into a heady mix of heaviness and pop sensibility, wrapped in layers of synths and theatrical flair. Their upcoming album, “The World That Never Was,” delves into themes of lost identity and the voids we fall into—obsession, rage, and uncertainty. In its closing arc, the album tells a parable: the protagonist wakes in a world where humanity has vanished and is forced to confront their reflection in the silence… or so it appears.

“We are immensely proud of this album. The World That Never Was has the strongest songwriting that Night’s Edge has ever brought forward, and these powerful songs elevate the three of us as musicians and as a band. It has presented challenges to all of us, as Performers and as writers, and has resulted in a genuine expression of music that is uniquely us. The album flows dramatically from piece to piece, with each song offering something different and contributing a different part from which the whole is built. No two songs sound the same, but every second of the album is unmistakably Night’s Edge. The recording and production process challenged all of us but allowed us to become even more intimate with each song. The lyrical themes that wrap through the album have become hooks in each of our brains, and we feel like each of us left a part of ourselves in this record. The World That Never Was is dense but digestible, complex but immediate, grim but beautiful. It is an album of contrasts, an album of ambition, and Night’s Edge’s most definitive musical statement,” says Haran

“The World That Never Was” follows releases Strangers – LP (2023), Night’s Edge – EP (2022), The Darkest Side of Dreams – LP (2020), and Shades of Dusk – LP (2019) and is recommended for fans of Coheed and Cambria, Avantasia, System of a Down, HIM, and Deftones.

Album Artwork by Eden Wormwood

FEUERSCHWANZ Go Tolkien With New Single “Sam The Brave” + Video

Just before the release of their new epic, KnightclubFEUERSCHWANZ are headed to Middle-earth, with their new single, “Sam The Brave”. The track pays tribute to a silent hero: Samwise Gamgee, the loyal companion of ring bearer Frodo Baggins. Always in the shadow of J. R. R. Tolkien’s protagonist, FEUERSCHWANZ puts Sam in the spotlight, as an equally important piece of the puzzle on the journey of destroying the One Ring at Mount Doom. FEUERSCHWANZ envelopes the great story of the small hero in their usual gripping folk metal sound, carried by violins and flutes, fit for any Shire tavern.
 
FEUERSCHWANZ have undergone an impressive transformation in recent years, with 20 years as a band and two #1 albums on the official German album charts, they have reached triumphant highs, and are steadily climbing even higher. Through their participation in the German preliminary round of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, the band managed to attract an audience of millions and media attention far beyond the borders of the genre.
 
FEUERSCHWANZ on „Sam The Brave“:
“With ‘Sam The Brave’ we pay tribute to the true hero of Lord of the Rings – not the mighty warrior, but the loyal friend who carries the light when all hope seems lost. This song is our monument to loyalty, courage, and the power of friendship.”
Watch the Animated Video For “Sam The Brave”:

With KnightclubFEUERSCHWANZ release their first studio album with an English title – and for the first time, several tracks feature English lyrics. Knightclub is characterized by catchy hits, absolute party mood, great anthems and hard metal riffs. Once again, the band manages to incorporate their unmistakable humor into songs bursting with energy.
 
The title track became a fan favorite during the Eurovision Song Contest pre-selection, firing up audiences across Germany. The album version features Dag-Alexis Kopplin of SDP on guest vocals. Tracks like “Valhalla” and “Avalon” show a more epic, serious side of the band – with “Valhalla” featuring heavy metal legend Doro Pesch. The fantasy-inspired “The Tale of Sam The Brave” pays homage to Middle-earth, while “Name der Rose” draws from a literary classic. Previously released “Lords of Fyre” (feat. LORD OF THE LOST) sets the tone for their upcoming co-headline tour.
 
Produced by Simon Michael (SUBWAY TO SALLY) and mastered by Jacob Hansen (EVERGREY, Arch Enemy, Volbeat), Knightclub features artwork by Peter Sallai (POWERWOLF, Sabaton, Saxon, Hammerfall).
 
FEUERSCHWANZ about the album:
Knightclub – for us, it’s a consistent continuation of our previous albums, taken to the next level both thematically and musically! Expect something truly epic, wild, and downright crazy! This album has something for everyone: fans of grand fantasy, heroic tales, and all-out partying, as well as lovers of massive guitar riffs and lively folk instruments. Become part of the Knightclub and join us on this next step of our unparalleled journey!”

NONE Share Music Video for “Dusk Skies Over The Dreaming Forests”

The official music video for “Dusk Skies Over The Dreaming Forests” by NONE, a black metal entity that blends atmospheric and depressive black metal with elements of neofolk and dark ambient music, is now streaming.

The song comes off the long-awaited and fabled album “Supreme Dedication To The Craft Is Forever” (release date TBA).

Songwriter Nicholas Mendiola comments, “Dusk Skies Over The Dreaming Forests is the remembering; and the return to, and of, our wilderness. It is the Supreme Truth.”

Ghost Cult Magazine presents the exclusive worldwide premiere of “Dusk Skies Over The Dreaming Forests.”

NONE is a personal, spiritual art form, a dedication to discovering the divine and eternal truth that is ourselves, brought to life and channeled by song writer Nicholas Mendiola. NONE is the eternal version of himself, his mission and purpose being to discover himself as the true voice and host that NONE speaks through.

Identifying his art as ‘The Dark Gospel’, while musically inspired by elements of black metal, neo-folk, industrial, dark ambient and art noise, this exploration of a range of forms has arrived at a sound that is unique, immersive and in equal measure both chaotic and beautiful. With a rawness of emotion and composition, NONE is as much a journey for the songwriter as it is for the listener. The Dark Gospel transcends and goes beyond music, it is a source and a place of somewhere deeply personal and spiritual.

Coming from a background as a part of Plague Phalanx, occult rock act Thangorodrim and Awakened Abyss, NONE evolved into a solo act with Nicholas as the main songwriter, vocalist and acoustic guitarist, backed by session players John Schuler and Adam Anthony Ordoñez on drums.

Together the musicians have created an astounding album that conveys the primal rage of black metal contrasted with stark contrasts of light and darkness, resplendent with the rawness of nature and the rage and conviction of the songwriters pure essence.

Quebec’s UNPUNISHED’s New Video “Shattered in Disarray” Marks Their Fierce Evolution + Quebec Tour Dates + New EP “Echoes of History” Out Sept 2025

Quebec City’s rising metalcore force Unpunished returns with a gripping new single and music video, “Shattered in Disarray,” premiering exclusively on TheCirclepit. This marks the band’s third single in support of their upcoming sophomore EP, “Echoes of History,” set for release on September 5th, 2025.

Slower, darker, and emotionally raw, “Shattered in Disarray” dives deep into the psyche of someone confronting the wreckage of their own life. The song explores themes of regret, failure, and the haunting question: Is redemption still possible, or is it too late? With a melodic chorus riff and three distinct guitar solo sections, the track captures the emotional turbulence of its lyrics, inviting listeners to reflect on their own missteps and the hope of healing.

“It’s a song about realizing you’ve failed the ones you love. It’s about facing the consequences and wondering if there’s still a way out,” adds the band.

Watch and listen to “Shattered in Disarray” via TheCirclePit at:

Written over two years during a period of personal upheaval for each band member, “Echoes of History”, produced by drummer Justin Lefebvre, is a testament to Unpunished’s resilience and creative evolution. The five-track EP showcases a diverse sonic palette, blending 2000s metalcore roots with melodic death metal riffs, deathcore breakdowns, and melodic choruses. Each track delivers a unique blend of emotion and musical identity, making the record a deeply immersive experience. Lyrically, the band explores human flaws, mental health, and social injustice, crafting songs that are both personal and powerful.

“We wanted each song to have its own flavor. No formulas, no repetition, just raw emotion and musical diversity,” says the band.

Drawing inspiration from metal giants like As I Lay Dying, Parkway Drive, Trivium, and The Black Dahlia Murder, Unpunished blends melodic, intense, aggressive, and diverse elements into a sound that’s unmistakably their own.

In additional news, Unpunished will be performing a series of show dates in the province of Quebec, listed below. Fans can anticipate a tight, high-energy live performance, with a dynamic setlist that mirrors the EP’s emotional and musical range.

Sept 20 – Quebec City, QC – L’Anti Bar​

Sept 27 – Trois Rivieres, QC – Taverne Royale​

Oct 10 – Montreal, QC – Piranha Bar

LORD OF THE LOST Indulge in Darkness with Multifaceted New Single “Bazaar Bizarre”

LORD OF THE LOST indulge in darkness with the complex “Bazaar Bizarre”, the latest single off their upcoming studio album OPVS NOIR Vol. 1, out this Friday, August 8, 2025 via Napalm Records. Appropriately opulent, the album opener “Bazaar Bizarre” immediately proves the bands’ sonic recalibration, re-adding their early edge to create somber mysticism in irresistible guise. LORD OF THE LOST hauntingly unite the children of the night in a sophisticated anthem, reassuring: No one lost behind.
 
“Bazaar Bizarre” ornately crafts a new doorway into LORD OF THE LOST’s ever expanding universe – a testament to their ability to constantly uncover new angles while staying true to their roots. Following the success of their #1 album Blood & Glitter (Official German Album Charts) and their celebrated appearance in the finals of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, LORD OF THE LOST continue to push boundaries with unmatchable versatility. OPVS NOIR Vol. 1 is the first album of an exciting album trilogy, featuring several strictly limited special editions.
 
Chris Harms on “Bazaar Bizarre”:
“‘Bazaar Bizarre’ is too long, too complex, and too weird to be an album opener—almost like a mix between an acoustic hidden-object painting by Hieronymus Bosch, Apocalypse Now, and the underground troll market from the Hellboy universe. Everything hurts and is somehow eerie, but at the same time too fascinating to want to escape.
We could’ve picked a simple and accessible song to kick things off—but we didn’t want that. We wanted a long cinematic trailer for the ears, one that instantly makes it clear what kind of world all three parts of OPVS NOIR will drag you into. And 
‘Bazaar Bizarre’ captures that perfectly—sonically, and in the music video, also visually—covering the full spectrum of our upcoming trilogy.”
Watch the Official Music Video for “Bazaar Bizarre” NOW:

What is the essence of LORD OF THE LOST in 2025? That is one of the questions OPVS NOIR Vol. 1 fearlessly begins to answer. Once again, the band proves not only musical excellence but also masterful craftsmanship: produced by Chris Harms, recorded, mixed, and mastered at the legendary CHAMELEON STUDIOS in Hamburg, the 11 tracks hit with a force and brilliance that immediately transport us into a dark yet colorful ballroom. From there, the tone is set: Dark Wave Metal on an amphitheater scale.
 
Chris Harms about the album:
“Darkness, melancholy, loneliness – all words that often have negative connotations, that we may associate with danger, sadness and loss, and not without reason. But darkness can also be security, melancholy the warm and sentimental feeling of our memories, and loneliness becomes necessary silence, peace and inner contemplation. OPVS NOIR is a travel guide, or perhaps also a travelogue, through the dark sides of our inner world, which so often move precisely in the area of tension between what we emotionally categorize as positive or negative. And with Vol. 1, all of this is just the beginning of this 3-part journey…”

REVOCATION Drops “Sarcophagi Of The Soul” Video/Single

“Sarcophagi Of The Soul” is the latest single from technical death metal artisans REVOCATION. The track comes by way of the band‘s ferocious new full-length New Gods, New Masters, set for release on September 26th via Metal Blade Records.
 
On REVOCATION‘s fifth record for Metal Blade, the quartet – spearheaded by founder/vocalist/guitarist Dave Davidson – delivers nine potent and portentous songs of brutal lyrical and musical significance.
 
Comments Davidson on today‘s single and accompanying video, “’Sarcophagi Of The Soul‘ is about our addiction to technology, primarily our phones. We use these devices to create idealized avatars to present to the world, when in reality nothing is ever as perfect as it seems. As we continue to feed our vanity the lines start to blur between our identities and the false narratives we create as these digital twins slowly begin to usurp our lives. The music video for this track features the incredible artwork of Tony Guarladi-Brown who created an entire graphic novel as an accompaniment to the new album. The artwork for this comic book is truly amazing so we wanted to give our fans a sneak peak before it gets released alongside the record.”
 
Watch REVOCATION‘s striking lyric video for “Sarcophagi Of The Soul” HERE.

New Gods, New Masters was produced by Davidson and mixed and mastered by Jens Bogren (The Haunted, Spiritbox) with artwork by Paolo Girardi (Bell Witch, Mother Of Graves, Black Breath, Cryptopsy). In addition to Jonny Davy, the record includes guest appearances by Travis Ryan of Cattle Decapitation, Luc Lemay of Gorguts, and jazz guitarist Gilad Hekselman.

REVOCATION debuted with 2008‘s Empire Of The Obscene and subsequently released seven critically acclaimed albums and toured over 25 countries, bringing their technically charged, high-energy extreme metal to North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific. New Gods, New Masters follows up 2022‘s critically-adored Netherheaven, where Davidson‘s lyrics took hard looks at Catholicism, hypocrisy, politics, the occult and demonic symbolism.
 
That album set a high bar, but an even sharper musical and lyrical focus was achieved on New Gods, New Masters. The Boston-bred Davidson credits newest members Harry Lannon (rhythm guitar and backing vocals since 2023) and bassist Alex Weber with renewed energy and intensity both in the studio and onstage.
 
Titling the album New Gods, New Masters reflects Davidson‘s belief about humans‘ need to worship various gods. “It seems as if that desire is encoded in our DNA. As science and our understanding of nature and the universe as a whole increases, the religions of the old gods start to become obsolete,” he says. “However, I believe we‘ve replaced our old gods with new ones, worshipping technology and creating a cult-like idolatry of innovators. I‘ve been very fascinated with the development of Artificial Intelligence, and I‘m deeply concerned where this could lead humanity whether it‘s the slow march towards a technological dystopia or the all-out annihilation of our species.”
 
“I‘ve been very fascinated with the development of Artificial Intelligence, and I‘m deeply concerned where this could lead humanity,” he continues, “whether it‘s the slow march towards a technological dystopia or the all-out annihilation of our species.”
 
The theme is deftly captured in the album artwork by Paolo Girardi. “He did an incredible job of bringing the lyrical themes of a bleak techno-nightmare to life,” Davidson says. “The ’New God‘ being birthed from the abyss of teeth and wires was even better than what I envisioned. I absolutely love the color palette he used. He even included some easter eggs from our first demo and first full-length album cover, which adds even more depth and meaning to the artwork for me.”
 
REVOCATION creates extreme music for extreme times.

Poland-Based Blackened Death Metal Band ORBSTRUCT Announce Third Full-Length Album; First Single Out Now

Poland-based blackened death metal band ORBSTRUCT set October 3rd as the international release date for their highly anticipated third full-length album, Ostracism, which will be released via Paragon Records in all physical formats.

“Ostracism was meant to be a manifesto of our solitude, which we wanted to offer as a gift and the best chance for each person to truly know themselves. But as we dove deeper into our own minds, we came across images we weren’t ready for. Under pressure from outside forces we couldn’t control, we couldn’t see a way back from this nightmare, so we were forced to fight our way out through paths that completely shattered how we saw reality and ourselves. In the end Ostracism became a scream of our despair, from which we no longer expect a reply, but we still hope we’re not alone in this emptiness, and that our cry will be heard.” – says the band

The first single, “Hive”, is out now and available on all digital platforms, including the band’s official Bandcamp page, where you can pre-order the album: https://orbstructofficial.bandcamp.com/album/ostracism

The band comments on ‘Hive’:
“HIVE is the roar of countless voices, all blending into one, urging you to become a single mind and a unified body, to transform and be reborn into something new. It doesn’t matter if you’re afraid or if you truly desire this change. What truly counts is your final choice. Will you stay true to yourself on this journey, facing it alone as you seek enlightenment, even if it means risking your sanity? Or will you give up right away, guaranteeing you reach the end, but never truly experiencing or understanding it?”

ORBSTRUCT is the adept of the darkest side of Death. Paying great attention to the grim and oppressive atmosphere of their music, the band manages to give their compositions an unusual for death metal coldness and disturbing emotions that are constantly intertwined with bursts of aggression and fury, leaving an indelible impression on the listeners. Originally, the band was formed in Kharkiv, Ukraine, and over the years has become one of the most recognizable death metal bands in their home country.

Orbstruct is also well-known beyond their homeland. The band’s first two albums, Phobos Rising and Deimos Falling, were successfully released on physical media simultaneously by two labels: Paragon Records in the USA and Envenomed Music in the EU. Both albums were warmly received by critics and collectors in many countries.

With the onset of the war in Ukraine, the band did not cease its activities and began actively performing charity concerts to raise funds in support of war victims. Despite the ongoing conflict, the band also managed to record their third full-length album. As the fighting intensified, the band members decided to relocate to Europe to continue their work.

Swedish Heavy Metal Band AMBUSH Reveal Exhilarating Third Single, “Come Angel of Night” & Lyric Video

Swedish heavy metal force AMBUSH reveals the third single from the highly anticipated new album Evil In All Dimensions, out September 5, 2025, via Napalm Records! Arriving alongside a lyric video, “Come Angel of Night” is a fierce anthem of raw power, with galloping drums, sharp guitars, and soaring belts. Featuring career high performances, the track explores themes of reconciliation after seemingly irreparable damage is caused.
 
Founded in 2013, AMBUSH continue to showcase their unyielding energy and intricate musicianship, establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with, within the underground heavy metal scene. This fall, the five-piece will bring their iconic live show to several German festivals, including Keep It True Rising, followed by a release show in Stockholm, and a full headlining tour in South America. Make sure to check out the new single below and secure your copy of Evil In All Dimensions now – denim and leather all the way!
 
AMBUSH on “Come Angel of Night”:
“We live in important times with conflicts that cause damages irreversible and seemingly beyond repair. How many generations will forever clash over the actions taken at this very moment? Can we find ways to start all over again or will the cuts run too deep?”
Watch the Lyric Video for “Come Angel of Night” HERE:

Evil In All Dimensions is undeniable proof of AMBUSH’s unwavering passion and talent for the genre. Now, with Napalm Records as their partner, they are primed to take the world by storm. The title track and opener perfectly delivers classic 80s heavy metal hooks with sleek, modern production. Taking listeners along a nightmare turned reality, this song kicks off with high energy drum grooves by Linus Fritzson and powerful riffs from guitar-virtuosos Karl Dotzek and Olof Engqvist. Bassist Oskar Andersson knows how to hypnotize the audience with his lines in the brooding “The Night I Took Your Life”, while “Maskirovka” is an anthem with a standout performance from vocalist Oskar Jakobsson. The track’s mid-tempo groove personifies the difficulties of standing up for truth in a world shaped by manipulation. In addition to their undeniable talent to revive fast and glorious 80s headbangers, the Swedes also surprise with the gripping power ballad “I Fear the Blood”. A song to pump your fist to, vacillating between themes of escapism and self-destruction, amidst the battle against one’s inner demons. Founder Oskar Jakobsson screams his soul out in this heavy-hearted and honest masterpiece, which creates the perfect moment to wave your lighters in the air, passionately belting along.

AMBUSH about the album:
“We are stoked to unveil Evil In All Dimensions – our long-awaited 4th album. For us the album feels like a new dawn where everything is possible and steel rules the world. We regard it as the proudest moment in our hellbent strive for Heavy Metal mastery, and we hope that you guys will appreciate it!”

WRETCHED To Unleash Long-Awaited Decay Full-Length

For the last two years, Charlotte, North Carolina‘s lauded metal monsters WRETCHED worked on the songs that would populate their long-awaited fifth full-length, Decay. Set for release on October 17th on Metal Blade Records, the result is a conceptual masterpiece that blends haunting melodies with progressive complexity.
 
This fifth album, which is a prequel to 2010‘s Beyond The Gate, delves into existential themes, D&D-inspired mythology, and personal loss. The record sees the boundary-pushing lineup breaking past defined walls of their four previous releases. Sonically, Decay may be WRETCHED‘s most pristine-sounding recording, but it‘s still raw with a live feeling in the performances. The band didn‘t track the parts until they sounded like a computer. You hear guitarist Steven Funderburk pick through the strings and fret the instrument, bassist Andrew Grevey shines on bass with a potent musicality and movement, his parts as much a part of the sound and structure of the songs as the guitar. Vocally, Billy Powers went as raw as humanly possible, pushing himself and the instrumentals to their furthest for an uncompromisingly powerful performance on every track.
 
“We‘ve had a lot of time to grow and reflect in the time between our last album and Decay,” says drummer Marshall Wieczorek. “WRETCHED is doing what WRETCHED always does, and that‘s exploring our environment and leaving room for ourselves to try different things. To sum things up, the new album is dynamic. We go here, we go there, we go everywhere. There is no shortage of groove, heaviness, speed, melodicism, prettiness, and sadness.”
 
“Decay is 100% a concept album,” confirms Powers. “Beyond The Gate had an element this record shares, the talisman. I always knew there was more story there and was very excited to join up with the guys again to put that in motion. The first track I wrote was ’The Golden Tide.‘ I had no idea where I was going to take the story connection to Beyond The Gate until I typed the first line of the song. ’They began in the dark.‘ After that, the lyrics poured out of my mind and by the end of it I realized that this story takes place many years before the content of Beyond The Gate.”
 
The LP‘s title track and first single contains the album‘s main character, Malus, along with a character from Beyond The Gate named Elturiel. “In the song, ’decay‘ refers to Malus‘ decaying existence, the feeling of loss, and helplessness/lack of control he has to influence anything outside of the darkness in which he has been cast.”
 
In broader terms, decay refers to many elements of the album‘s story, “The decay of good intention, the loss of loved ones, the influence time and choices has upon our bodies and minds and the decay of the world around us due to the choices of those with ultimate power.”
 
Powers further elaborates, “[The song] ’Decay‘ is a chapter in our story in which our main character Malus has lost his physical body due to becoming possessed by an ancient Necromancer. He is just a conscious thought floating through the void between time and space, conjuring a familial djinn named Elturiel to gain his assistance in returning to his mortal shell. This track revolves a lot around out of body experience, lucid dreaming, inner voices/internal dialogue, and the potential for reincarnation. It‘s the feeling when you‘re so sure that you‘ve lost it all, yet you see that little shimmering glimmer of hope at the end of a long, dark tunnel. Then you have the rug pulled out from underneath you to find that the darkness is what you may only ever know. Not to say that all hope is lost because, in the context of the lyrics, it is not. There‘s a repeated line near the middle and ending of the song that says ’once more upon this eternal flat circle.‘ It is inspired by True Detective S1 where it‘s said ’time is a flat circle.‘ This has all happened before and will all happen again. I‘m not a flat earther.”
 
Watch WRETCHED‘s video for “Decay” HERE: