Ahab Set Jan. 13 Release for The Coral Tombs; Lyric Video Posted
Ahab emerge from the watery depths with new tales of tonal drudgery and doomed plunder. The nautically-themed four-piece haven’t had a studio record since 2015’s The Boats of the Glen Garrig, so yeah, they’re due even with the live album they did in 2020 (review here), and Napalm will issue The Coral Tombs on Jan. 13 as the band tackles 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, because I guess if you’re going to do a thing, go all in. The opening track, “Prof. Arronax’s Descent Into the Vast Oceans,” would certainly seem to do that, with a guest appearance from Ultha‘s Chris Dark, an outright punishment of a beginning, and a slow lurch that emerges as they lead listeners on the downward dive.
The Coral Tombs is a fun title, though I almost can’t help but think of the fact that thanks to the rising temperatures of the oceans and all the garbage humanity as dumped therein, reefs are dying off causing even more devastation to the planet’s ecosystem, so yeah, I guess in addition to the literary there’s another meaning one might take as we actively, daily work to make our home less habitable, but screw it, we’ll get ours. We already are, in fire, flood and plague. Might as well enjoy some classic sci-fi doom while we wait for the other shoe/ice shelf to drop.
Kudos to the band on making their own videos though. I’d watch jellyfish swim and listen to Ahab for a full visual album if it came to it. Actually, that’d be awesome.
The PR wire brings details on the record, shows, all kinds of silly vinyl pressings that people like and so on:
Nautik Doom Metal Masters AHAB Announce New Album, The Coral Tombs, And Share Epic Lyric Video For First Single
The Coral Tombs out on January 13, 2023 via Napalm Records – Pre-Order HERE: https://lnk.to/AhabTheCoralTombs
Following their much acclaimed, chart-impacting 2015 album, The Boats Of The Glenn Carrig, and the epic Live Prey release (2020), 2023 will see extreme doom metal masters AHAB celebrate their 19th band anniversary in glorious style: On January 13, 2023, the German four-piece will return with their fifth studio album, entitled The Coral Tombs, on Napalm Records! The release will mark their first full-length offering in eight long years.
The kings of nautik doom – a genre they invented – once again interpret a maritime novel, inspired this time by Jules Verne’s masterpiece 20000 Leagues Under The Sea. Throughout seven new tracks, AHAB take their fans on a new musical journey with Captain Nemo and Professor Arronax. Of their entire discography, The Coral Tombs is arguably the closest the band has come to their sound resembling a real soundtrack: it’s evil, it’s longing, it’s sad, it’s meditative, it’s cavernous, it’s vast, it’s ridiculously epic and as heavy as the colossal squid itself!
But give ear, as today AHAB has shared a lyric video for their first single and album opening track, “Prof. Arronax’ descent into the vast oceans”. The song not only features ULTHA‘s Chris Dark on guest vocals, but sees AHAB unleash a colossal thunder of blast beats and pitch black vibes before shifting into the epic grandeur of the melancholic-yet heaviness the band is known and loved for.
“How else could we have started our new album after 8 years wait? I love the unexpected, so it feels kinda natural to start that thunderous,” guitarist Christian Hector comments.
“The song tells the first milestone of “20,000 leagues under the sea“, when the Nautilus attacks and Professor Arronax and Conseil go over board and nearly drown. Of course we also introduce Captain Nemo in the first song. I cut the video myself as Napalm Records asked us for some videos – it’s a lyric nautic video. We’ll do two DIY videos and one professional video.”
The Coral Tombs was recorded, mixed and mastered by Jens Siefert at RAMA Studios in Mannheim, Germany. Along with AHAB’s exceptional vocalist Daniel Droste, the album features guest appearances of ULTHA’s Chris Dark as well as none other than the master of extreme doom himself, Greg Chandler – singer and mastermind of ESOTERIC, who closes the album and an incredible ride through the depths of vast oceans and the abysmal nature of mankind. AHAB not only invented and still steer the ship of their genre, but The Coral Tombs is poised to top 2023 Album Of The Year lists and will see the band sailing again as one of the best extreme doom metal bands of all time!
Tracklist:
01. Prof. Arronax’ descent into the vast oceans
02. Colossus of the liquid graves
03. Mobilis in mobili
04. The sea as a desert
05. A coral tomb
06. Ægri somnia
07. The Mælstrom
The Coral Tombs will be available in the following formats:
– 1CD Digisleeve
– 2LP Gatefold BLACK
– 2LP Gatefold CURACAO
– 3LP Die Hard/Slow Vinyl Edition CLEAR/ORANGE MARBLED in Slipcase
– Musicassette
– Ltd. Edition Musicassette (Clear Frosted / recycled plastic)
– 2LP Gatefold Glow In The Dark (Band only)
– Digital Album
– CD Digisleeve + Shirt Bundle
[ Artwork by Sebastian Jerke ]
In support of their upcoming album release, AHAB will be playing a series of exclusive shows, where they will also debut a bunch of new songs live. Make sure to catch them at the following dates:
17.11.2022 (DE) Jena / Kuba*
18.11.2022 (DE) Berlin / ORWO Haus (only 150 tickets available)*
19.11.2022 (DE) Hamburg / MS Stubnitz (Live show on a boat!)*
20.11.2022 (DE) Oberhausen / Helvete (only 200 tickets available)*
* with STAGWOUNDER
17.12.2022 (DE) Stuttgart / Club Cann
14.01.2023 (DE) Braunschweig / Jugendkirche Braunschweig (Album Release Show in a Church + Reading by Krachmucker TV’s Ernie Fleetenkicker!)
AHAB is:
Cornelius Althammer – drums & percussion
Daniel Droste – vocals & guitar
Christian Hector – guitar
Stephan Wandernoth – bass
https://www.instagram.com/ahabdoom
https://www.facebook.com/AhabDoom
https://www.ahab-doom.de
https://www.facebook.com/napalmrecords
http://label.napalmrecords.com/
That cover is incredible. Is the big guy puking up a funeral?