Deathbell to Release A Nocturnal Crossing in February
French cultists Deathbell will release their second album, A Nocturnal Crossing, in February as their debut on Svart Records. The album is heralded by a new video for “The Stronghold and the Archer,” and preorders are up. I suppose that’s the essential info you need to head down to the bottom of the post, check out the clip and then decide whether or not you want to follow that preorder link, but I’ll note that aside from carrying the generally-applicable Svart-says-it’s-cool-therefore-it-most-likely-is stamp of reliability, the Toulouse-based outfit’s take on doom feels dug into classic style without actually being that thing, and their first record, 2018’s With the Beyond, was enough of a gem that the band got included in Blues Funeral/Desert Records‘ Women of Doom compilation (review here) last year.
I would be surprised if Svart doesn’t do a pressing of the first record as well at some point, but for now, info for A Nocturnal Crossing follows here, as per the PR wire:
Svart Records to release new album “A Nocturnal Crossing” from rising French occult Doom Rock band Deathbell in 2022
Deathbell: A Nocturnal Crossing LP/CD – preorder link:
https://svartrecords.com/product/deathbell-a-nocturnal-crossing-album/
Deathbell: The Stronghold and The Archer – digital pre-order
https://orcd.co/d6e2pdk
Deathbell is a five-piece band from Toulouse/France, that create eerie and heavy fuzz-laden Doom. Having released their debut album With the Beyond in 2018 that garnered underground attention, Deathbell have been lying in wait, taking their time to craft and hone their new juggernaut “A Nocturnal Crossing”. Incanting her melancholic and haunting vocals, Lauren Gaynor calls through cavernous walls of funeral organ and distorted slabs of riff-witchery to shepherd “A Nocturnal Crossing” into a hypnotic otherworld. With morbid clanging trips of psychedelic rhythms and shadowy atmospheres, Deathbell’s brand of mystical Doom is both transcendent and sombre.
Written and recorded between 2018 and 2021 in the French Pyrenees, “A Nocturnal Crossing”’s lyrics reflect on the metaphysical forces of life and spiritual introspection. Recorded live in April 2021, Deathbell have summoned a demon of Occult Rock to rival the classic greats of Coven and Pentagram and modern legends such as Jex Thoth and The Devil’s Blood. For inner journeys alone, or live group ritual worship, Deathbell’s “A Nocturnal Crossing” works as a gateway or ticket into a wider initiation of Doom Rock’s inherent ancient power of black magic. Songs like “Silent She Comes” and “The Ladder” are anthemic, and wistful, beautiful gravestones of heavy incantation that deliver the listener into a blissful sonic salvation, with the guitar duo of Bolzan and Commelongue riffing as though oblivion depended on it. A band to watch out for, surely on the tongues and minds of those who seek out Doom Rock’s ever evolving devilish secrets, on “A Nocturnal Crossing”, Deathbell have concocted a very strong brew.
The first single, “The Stronghold and The Archer”, from Deathbell’s new album was released digitally 26th of November 2021. “A Nocturnal Crossing” vinyl and CD available worldwide in February 2022.
Recording: Ayumu Matsuo at Studio La Vache
Mixing: Jeremie Mazan
Mastering: Justin Weis at Trakworx Studio
Production: Bastien
Cover Painting: Adam Burke at Nightjar Illustration
Logo, Sigil: Patrick Zoeller at Karmazid
Artwork, Photography: Bastien
Specials: Elise Aranguren, Simon Evangelista, Vincent Eyer, Marian Gaynor, Robin Levet
“A Nocturnal Crossing” by Deathbell:
Lauren Gaynor – vocals & keys
Bastien Commelongue – guitars & keys
Frederic Bolzan – guitars
Valentin Troï – bass
Robin Draye – drums
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https://www.svartrecords.com
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