https://www.high-endrolex.com/18

Vitskär Süden Premiere “Shepherds on the Roadside” Video; Announce RPG Module

vitskar suden by David Paul Seymour

Doubly-umlauted Los Angeles atmospheric heavybringers Vitskär Süden release their second long-player, The Faceless King, on Nov. 4 through Ripple Music, and from the weighted nighttime Americana gospel groove that takes hold as “The Way – Part 1” leads directly into “The Way – Part 2,” through the fuzzier psychedelic contemplation that unfurls in “Archdiocese of Worms,” the underlying acoustic strum of “Voices From Beyond the Wall,” the why-is-everything-so-massive-and-encompassing-and-kind-of-terrifying-and-also-vaguely-1979 “Shepherds on the Roadside,” the consuming swell and receding of “Bonedust and Dark” and the final melodic payoff of “The Broken Crown,” minimal and maximal, the album genuinely feels as narrative as it’s intended to be. The band today unveil both a new video for the eight-minute “Shepherds on the Roadside” — kudos to them on avoiding the word “preacher” in any of the record’s titles — and announce that the Ripple LP version VITSKÄR Süden the Faceless Kingof the album will come with a 24-page role-playing game module based on the story of the album written by the band and illustrated by none other than David Paul Seymour (who also did the art above).

That’s a pretty big deal, frankly. Seymour doesn’t screw around, which is part of why his work is so much in demand among heavy outfits and other related concerns, but the fact that Vitskär Süden — bassist/vocalist Martin Garner, guitarist/synthesist Julian Goldberger, guitarist TJ Webber and drummer Christopher Martin — are putting themselves out there like that, investing conceptually and practically in their work as they are, tells you about the level of passion and commitment to the project. I think you can hear that listening to the patient manner in which “Shepherds on the Roadside” plays through its meditative course — plus if you missed the first single (posted here), consider Garner‘s bass tone more mandatory reading — but that they’re reinforcing the message as they are is likewise mirrored in the multifaceted nature of the songwriting and aesthetic at work. In other words, there’s a lot going on with The Faceless King, and only more it seems as we get closer to its actual arrival.

Video follows here, accompanied by all the preorder links and PR wire whatnot and band quotes that your heart — bless it — may desire.

Enjoy:

Vitskär Süden, “Shepherds on the Roadside” video premiere

Ripple Music is thrilled to have signed Los Angeles based progressive-space-rock quartet, Vitskär Süden, for their sophomore full-length album. Doubling down on the strength of their self-titled debut from early 2020, the band have put together a truly phenomenal concept album – “The Faceless King” – which has some pretty incredible surprises that fans are sure to enjoy. Out November 4th on Vinyl/CD/Digital via Ripple Music!

Sink your teeth into the video for the second single – “Shepherds On The Roadside” – and then pre-order your copy of the album at the links below:

Grab your physical copies @ https://ripplemusic.bigcartel.com/
Or snag a digital/physical copy @ https://ripplemusic.bandcamp.com/music

Video features 3D visuals by Andrew Jarvis (www.andrewjarvis.art)

About the track, Guitarist Julian Goldberger says:
“Shepherds is my favorite track on the album. Each of our unique skillsets are on full display as we collectively perform a summoning… As a band, you can hear how we’re all speaking to one another musically. Like a good conversation, it’s balanced and everyone is engaged. It also has a moving emotional aspect that resonates as it builds. It’s a great intro as to who we are as a band.”

Bassist/Lyricist Martin Garner adds:
“Shepherds guides the story toward the record’s climax, both literally and musically. The necromantic rites to resurrect our story’s antihero have taken a dangerous turn. Reckless desire for power is unleashing much darker forces that can’t be controlled. A malevolent rebirth is taking place.”

One of the aforementioned surprises that the band has up it’s sleeve comes in the form of a full-on RPG Module that immerses the player/listener into the depths of the concept behind the album.

Vinyl editions of The Faceless King purchased directly from Ripple Music will ship with a retro-styled 24-page adventure module for the ‘world’s greatest roleplaying game’ which expands on the concept album’s story and world. Written by and featuring the band, Ascension of the Faceless King was illustrated by David Paul Seymour and serves as both a fully-playable adventure for RPG fans and incredibly unique collectible and lyrics insert for listeners who may not own 20-sided dice.

Vitskär Süden is:
Martin Garner – Bass/Vocals
Julian Goldberger – Guitar/Synths
Christopher Martin – Drums
TJ Webber – Guitar

Vitskär Süden on Facebook

Vitskär Süden on Instagram

Vitskär Süden on Twitter

Vitskär Süden on TikTok

Vitskär Süden linktree

Ripple Music on Facebook

Ripple Music on Instagram

Ripple Music on Bandcamp

Ripple Music website

Tags: , , , , ,

Leave a Reply