photo by Chris Wozniak
“…they really know their way around a doom tune…” – Nine Circles
Arising from the heart of the Chicago underground metal scene, ÇÖKÜŞ arrives with their debut album, An Hour Of Lies, now confirmed for September 13th release on Qumran Records. Alongside the album’s info and preorders, investigative website Nine Circles is hosting an exclusive premiere of a video for the song “Midnight Sun.”
ÇÖKÜŞ is the product of ten years of mostly virtual collaboration between former Earthen Grave bandmates, vocalist Mark Weiner, drummer Chris Wozniak (Vanishment, Lair Of The Minotaur), and guitarist Jason Muxlow (Witchcryer, The Living Fields). Even though Muxlow and Wozniak had moved thousands of miles away after the abrupt conclusion of Earthen Grave in 2013, the three stayed in touch, trading riffs, beats, and lyrics from their respective corners of the United States. The material that emerged saw influences from the usual suspects — Black Sabbath, Judas Priest, Trouble, Dio — as well as old favorites like Soundgarden, Alice In Chains, and Kyuss.
Shortly before the pandemic, the group started meeting periodically in Chicago to write and record. Embracing a shorter, more polished format than their previous engagement, they privately released a demo under the moniker WMW in 2020, which generated a lot of buzz and positive feedback among those who had access to the recording. In 2021, the group re-branded as ÇÖKÜŞ (pronounced cho-koosh; Turkish for “decline” or “collapse”) and recruited bassist and longtime friend Patrick Green to complete the lineup and the material which will become the band’s debut album. Soon after, they were joined by another old friend, Steve Ligeza (Torg, Makahiya), on second guitar, and ÇÖKÜŞ began playing live.
ÇÖKÜŞ’ first album, An Hour Of Lies, was captured in three states – Illinois, Washington, and Texas – the drums and vocals recorded by John E. Bohmher, Jr. at Berwyn Recording, the bass recorded by Patrick Green, and the guitars recorded by Jason Muxlow, the finished recordings were mixed by Chris Wozniak and mastered by Chris Hanzsek (Melvins, Soundgarden, Helms Alee). The visual elements including the logo, album and single art, and video content was handled by Tom Denney (Soilent Green, Weedeater, Rwake).
With the “Midnight Sun” premiere, the band reveals, “‘Midnight Sun’ is a track that finally unites two longtime friends together as one for a short but everlasting, passionate ride. She undressed under the Moon and what she showed was SO bright was like a Midnight Sun before his eyes….”
Nine Circles writes, “…as you can see, they really know their way around a doom tune. On both ‘Midnight Sun’ and its predecessor single, ‘Wolf Moon,’ guitarists Jason Muxlow and Steve Ligeza trade meaty, catchy riffs that would fit right into the Trouble or Pentagram libraries, while vocalist Mark Weiner pierces through the fray with his melodic, Wino-esque howl… ‘Midnight Sun’ has a great melodic cadence throughout, and Weiner’s effortless shifts from barked verses to crooned choruses help turn the song into a total earworm.”
Watch ÇÖKÜŞ’ “Midnight Sun” video first at Nine Circles RIGHT HERE.
An Hour Of Lies will be released on CD and digital platforms on Friday, September 13th. Preorders are live at the Qumran Records webshop HERE and Bandcamp HERE. If you missed it, watch the visualizer for the long-lead single “Wolf Moon” HERE.
Watch for additional previews of An Hour Of Lies and more to post over the weeks ahead.
An Hour Of Lies Track Listing:
1. It Died On The Vine
2. As It Falls
3. Hit The Mattresses
4. Leave It Behind
5. Midnight Sun
6. Wolf Moon
7. Never Gone
8. Hammer To Fall
9. It Died On The Vine (Reprise)
ÇÖKÜŞ:
Mark Weiner – vocals
Jason Muxlow – guitar
Steve Ligeza – guitar
Patrick Green – bass
Chris Wozniak – drums
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