The fifth full-length from Finnish doomers Spiritus Mortis — who through guitarist Jussi Maijala and bassist Teemu Maijala trace their roots back to 1987 and claim for themselves the title of being Finland’s first doom band — will see release this September in a continued collab with respected purveyor Svart Records. It will be the first offering for the Alavus-based outfit since 2009 not to feature vocalist Sami Hynninen (also known as Albert Witchfinder of Reverend Bizarre and so many others), which sounds like a long time, but the truth is it was really just two records. Kimmo Perämäki came on board in 2018 and on the new single “Death’s Charioteer,” the band’s intent in bringing out a classic metal vibe as hinted below by the PR wire can be heard in the track ahead of the rest of the record’s arrival.

Certainly there’s plenty of doom to be had, and no doubt “Death’s Charioteer” was chosen as the first single in part for that, but the chug and release methodology employed between the verses and chorus drop clues as to what sort of NWOBHM-ery might follow. One way to find out, I guess. Sit on hands for about three months. Ha.

From the PR wire:

SPIRITUS MORTIS Release New Music Video for “Death’s Charioteer”

New Album ‘The Great Seal’ Coming This September

Finnish Heavy Metal legends Spiritus Mortis unveil a grand-scale epic of antique Doom on their new single “Death’s Charioteer”. Erecting a new monolith in the halls of Doom Metal history with their fifth album, The Great Seal, Spiritus Mortis certify true classic status as one of the scene’s modern greats.

There are few modern-day bands that can be uttered under the same breath as the giants of Traditional Doom and Heavy Metal like Spiritus Mortis. Formed in 1987 as Rigor Mortis, they can firmly attest to having been “the first Finnish Doom Metal band”, uncovering hallowed ground before the later imitators. Carrying the banner of powerful true Metal, the likes of which stands proudly next to the masters such as Dio era Sabbath, Solitude Aeturnus and Trouble, Spiritus Mortis have established a tradition of catchy song-writing and consummate knowledge of sacred riff-craft. The Great Seal is a colossal album, which Spiritus Mortis describes as “a rite of collective suicide and an orgy of self-immolation”, and plumbs the depths of epic sorrow with gargantuan slabs of igneous riffs and emotional vocals.

Synonymous with classic Finnish Doom bands like Reverend Bizarre, whose singer Albert Witchfinder intoned previous albums’ vocals, Spiritus Mortis continues to define and cement their formidable legacy. Albert’s replacement, Kimmo Perämäki, is more than worthy of the consecrated robes he inherits, delivering a performance that is flawlessly dominating and instantly gratifying. Tracks like “Martyrdom Operation” and “Visions Of Immortality” see Perämäki boldly carving his own name in the stone tablets of future history, marrying the riffs of the Maijala brothers and guitarist Kari Lavila with the splendor of magnificent melancholy that Spiritus Mortis is so known and admired for.

Not only will true devotees of the Spiritus Mortis Doom church be raising their fists with full hearts, but those who seek knowledge of the faithful spirit of real Metal can surely look no further than within The Great Seal.

www.spiritusmortis.com
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Spiritus Mortis, “Death’s Charioteer” official video

The last Spiritus Mortis full-length, The God Behind the God, was released in 2009, but on Nov. 11, the long(est)-running Finnish doom purveyors return with The Year is One, on Svart Records. Their fourth album overall, it’ll be their second behind the aforementioned outing to be fronted by Sami “Albert Witchfinder” Hynninen, formerly of Reverend Bizarre. They’ve put a couple teasers out on their Thee Facebooks page over the last however long — one of which, for the song “Jesus Chris, Son of Satan,” you’l find below — but the PR wire has confirmed the album info and release date, and sent that along with the cover art and tracklisting.

All of which you’ll find immediately following, in case you needed a totta doom fix:

SPIRITUS MORTIS set release date for new SVART album – features ex-Reverend Bizarre member

Finland’s most ancient purveyors of doom metal, Spiritus Mortis are back with a vengeance! Seven years have passed since their previous offering, The God Behind The God, also their first featuring ex-Reverend Bizarre vocalist Albert Witchfinder. Now on their fourth album, The Year Is One is a mirror to your childhood’s occult fantasies. It is what you thought you heard when listening to your favorite headbanging music – even though those bands actually sang about sex and drugs and driving fast cars, whereas Spiritus Mortis’ material really does deal with black magic and necrophilia. It is as heavy and evil as one can get without slipping away from the world of pure old-school heavy metal.

Prepared with the kind of passion and time-consuming concentration that is fitting of the doom metal genre, The Year Is One was several years in the making, and the dedication is palpably present in the music. The band’s roots in Dio-era Sabbath sounds are there, but the men play with a heavy-handed yet melodic vigor rather unusual in the genre. Albert Witchfinder’s voice carries a newfound joy of expression, and he delivers his bedtime stories about demon summoning and corpse violation as if possessed by evil genius.

Svart Records will release this work of supreme darkness on November 11th on CD, digital, and double vinyl. At this point, the only confirmed live appearance will be in November in Helsinki, supporting Satan and Pentagram. The first track premiere shall be announced shortly. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:

Tracklisting for Spiritus Mortis’ The Year is One
1. Robe of Ectoplasm
2. I am a Name on Your Funeral Wreath
3. Babalon Working
4. Jesus Christ, Son of Satan
5. Holiday in the Cemetery
6. She Died a Virgin
7. Black Magic, White Powder
8. World of No Light

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www.svartrecords.com
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Spiritus Mortis, “Jesus Christ, Son of Satan” teaser