[photo by Morten Lundrup]
Danish progressive doom metal act ALKYMIST enters the void between heaven and hell with the release of their new album, Sanctuary, set for release May 1st through Indisciplinarian. The first single from the forthcoming album, “Draugr” is now streaming.
Since 2016, ALKYMIST has trod its own trail and challenged the preconceptions of heavy music, with a dynamic, textured, and progressive doom metal. Just a year-and-a-half after their acclaimed eponymous debut album, ALKYMIST once again sets out on a trip that takes you far beyond this world and into their strange and crushingly heavy realm of brutal, yet beautiful and grandiose soundscapes.
On Sanctuary, ALKYMIST offers the listener an immersive, spiritual, and transcendent journey. The record revolves around metaphysical questioning, soul searching, mental and cerebral escape, and ultimately, the quest to achieve redemption of spirit and flesh. This concept carries through on “Draugr.” A figure in Norse mythology, a Draugr is a member of the restless dead, who haunts the living in search for redemption. Sanctuary‘s six tracks and two sound collages totaling forty-three minutes fully live up to the band’s eclectic vision. As on the first record, the new collection of songs is recorded and mixed by producer Lasse Ballade (Orm, Slægt, Solbrud) and the artwork created by Anders Kidmose.
ALKYMIST states on the song’s thematic concept, “On ‘Draugr,’ ALKYMIST takes the listener into a setting where time stands still, and conscience is lost. The soul cries out to get it back, but remorse has taken its place. Draugr is an old Norse wraith who guards its treasure, or torment those who wronged them in life. Its lonely spirit will never rest and has a great yearning for deliverance.”
Venture into this realm and stream ALKYMIST’s “Draugr” RIGHT HERE.
Sanctuary will be released May 1st, 2020 on vinyl, cassette, and digital formats. The vinyl edition comes in runs of 400 black and 100 crystal clear copies, and the cassette limited to 100 copies. Both physical versions of the album are now available for preordering at the label webshop HERE. The “Draugr” single will be available on all digital platforms tomorrow HERE.
Sanctuary Track Listing:
1. Oethon
2. The Dead
3. S.O.Y.
4. Draugr
5. Gust Of War
6. Desolated Sky
7. Astral Haze
8. Warkeeper
The day before the album’s release, ALKYMIST will perform a unique release show at Alice in Copenhagen. On the release day itself, the band will perform at SPOT Festival in Aarhus, followed by select Danish dates. Additional tour dates are to be expected.
ALKYMIST Live:
4/30/2020 Alice – Copenhagen, DK *Sanctuary release show [tickets]
5/01/2020 Spot Festival – Aarhus, DK
5/15/2020 Gimle – Roskilde, DK
12/05/2020 Bhaal Fest IV – Odense, DK
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