You’ll note up front the presence of Robert Lowe on vocals in Grief Collector, as the former Solitude Aeturnus and Candlemass and current Tyrant singer lends his rather significant pipes to the trio who have now signed to Petrichor to issue their full-length debut early next year. Petrichor, of course, is the recently launched imprint of Hammerheart Records, and it’s worth pointing out that the label itself has signed a worldwide distribution deal with Napalm Records, which means that a band like Grief Collector, in issuing their forthcoming March 2021 debut full-length, En Delirium, can be assured it will exist anywhere it’s supposed to.

There’s no music on their Bandcamp as of now, but they released the From Dissention to Avowal EP in 2019 and they’ve got a lyric video for “Of Misery nd Woe” on YouTube that you can steam at the bottom of this post. It’s right down there. You’ll find it.

From the PR wire:

Petrichor announces the signing of US Doom/Heavy Metal band Grief Collector!

Petrichor is proud to announce the addition of Grief Collector to its’ rapidly expanding roster! Grief Collector is a Heavy/Doom Metal band from the U.S. and formed around the charismatic vocalist Robert Lowe, famous for his unmistakable, high-quality vocal contributions to bands such as Solitude Aeturnus, Candlemass and more recently Tyrant. In Brad Miller and Matt Johnson Grief Collector has the skilled and experienced Metal musicians on board to create high-quality Heavy Metal with Doom Metal touches that can stand the test of time (past, present and future).

Grief Collector was founded in 2017 and released an EP called “From Dissension To Avowal” in 2019. This EP showcased references to the more recent Candlemass work and the Heavier/Doom approach of bands such as Trouble. Hints of Solitude Aeturnus are present, of course, as well.

March 2021 is set as the release month for Grief Collector’s new album “En Delirium”. Expect high-quality Heavy/Doom Metal, performed with passion!

Grief Collector are:
Brad Miller – Drums
Matt Johnson – Guitars/Bass
Robert Lowe – Vocals

https://www.facebook.com/GriefCollector/
https://griefcollector1.bandcamp.com/
www.ochtenddauw.com
www.facebook.com/petrichorochtenddauw
www.instagram.com/petrichorochtenddauw
www.petrichorochtenddauw.bandcamp.com

Grief Collector, “Of Misery and Woe” official lyric video

I do not know who might be behind the new Hammerheart Records imprint Petrichor — which seems not to be followed by any of the usual “Records” or “Recordings” or “Releases” or “Tapes” or whatever that most labels tack onto their names — but they certainly have their mission statement down, and I can’t argue with their choice of a first signing either. The band in question is Vancouver’s Empress, whose forthcoming debut album, Premonition, was recently written up here. That album, which follows 2017’s Reminiscence EP (review here) and a 2018 split with Piece (review here), was originally set to arrive on July 24.

The Petrichor version of the Premonition has been given an October release. However, what that means is that the originally-stated July 24 arrival of the album is off. “Delays?” you ask, flabbergasted. “In 2020?” I know, but at least it’s for a good reason, and hey, kudos for the band getting their record picked up before it even came out. When it happens at all, some acts wait years for that kind of thing.

So anyway, it’ll be October for Empress. I wouldn’t think it unreasonable if they pulled it down, but for now you can still listen to “Lion’s Blood” on the player below.

Petrichor‘s announcement and background info follows:

First signing for Petrichor: Empress!

It is with great pleasure and pride that we announce Empress to be the first official signing for Petrichor. This amazing sludge/post-metal/doom band from Vancouver, Canada will unleash its debut full length album ‘Premonition’ through Petrichor in early October 2020. The album will be released on vinyl/cd and tape as well as digital. Be prepared, pre-orders will be announced in due time.

Petrichor is a new label manufactured, distributed and marketed by Hammerheart Records. Run by passionate individuals who are defined by their will to bring fresh rain on dried out soil/rock (petra) combined into one label that will deliver the blood of the gods (ichor).

Petrichor will release physical formats of all kinds and digital content as well. Run with dedication, experience and always on the hunt for innovative art and quality. Expect our first releases coming this September.

http://www.facebook.com/empressBC
https://instagram.com/empress_bc
http://www.thisisempress.bandcamp.com
www.hammerheartpetrichor.com
www.facebook.com/hammerheartpetrichor
www.instagram.com/hammerheartpetrichor
www.hammerheartpetrichor.bandcamp.com

Empress, Premonition (2020)