Photo by Sarah Hammel
On March 21st, Seattle-based heavy metal practitioners DARK MEDITATION will unleash the Where The Darkness Bleeds mini-LP through their own Carry On The Gloom Records.
Formed in the endless gray and winters gloom of 2019, DARK MEDITATION plays dark rock inspired by the greats of classic heavy metal, early black metal, and deathrock. They honed these influences in 2022 with the release of their debut album Polluted Temples, recorded by Matt Bayles (Mastodon, ISIS, Soundgarden) and released by Seattle based label Satanik Royalty Records.
Over the years to follow, the band became a rising force within the Northwest metal scene, comfortably performing with bands across multiple genres, while completing West Coast tours and headlining shows to a feverish fan base. 2024 saw the international release of Polluted Temples which brought about a run of shows in Mexico and an appearance at the Candelabrum Metal Fest. Metal Injection hailed “a gloomy trip with a riff-heavy soundtrack and earworms galore,” while BrooklynVegan wrote, “[DARK MEDITATION] channel the riffage of classic heavy metal but also embrace the accessible hooks of hard rock and goth/deathrock.”
Where The Darkness Bleeds is a further refinement of their sound and a conceptual album that focuses on themes of love, betrayal, revenge, death and the toll they take. With the release of their new record, DARK MEDITATION continues to hold the serpentine torch of rock ‘n’ roll high, while forging their own path forward.
The band comments, “Where The Darkness Bleeds came together over the course of 2024. The record started off as a way to breathe new life into songs from the Polluted Temples sessions that weren’t used on the record, but after some reworking and the addition of new material it turned into much more. Themes of love, lust, betrayal, and specifically the moment leading up to death and the immediate aftermath became apparent. While still drawing from our primary influences, a deeper musical exploration led to an expansion of our core sound and the next phase and refinement of the album took form. This record represents our most poignant and harrowing statement to date.”
In advance of the record’s official unveiling, today the band presents their video for “I Am The Hunter.” “The track signals the beginning and the end,” the band notes, “A foundation of darkened heavy metal and doom rifffage provides the sound for a relentless tale of love, lust, and the extremes we will go to in pursuit of it. In this life and the next.”
Watch DARK MEDITATION’s “I Am The Hunter” video HERE.
Stream the band’s previously released single, “Call To The Beast,” HERE.
Where The Darkness Bleeds was recorded by DARK MEDITATION drummer Will Klintberg along with additional production and mixing by Matt Bayles, mastering by Jamie Elton and artwork and design by vocalist Adam Vick.
The record will be released digitally and on Black vinyl (limited to 100 copies). Find preorders at the official DARK MEDITATION Bandcamp page HERE.
Where The Darkness Bleeds Track Listing:
- Taking Solace
- I Am The Hunter
- Call To The Beast
- Hidden Daggers
- Bleeding Darkness
- Thorned Gods & Honeyed Blades
DARK MEDITATION Live:
3/19/2025 Hell’s Heroes @ White Oak Music Hall – Houston, TX
5/9/2025 Northwest Terror Fest – Seattle, WA
DARK MEDITATION:
Adam Vick – vocals
Ryan Fitch – guitars
Ian E. – guitars
Will Klintberg – drums
Rachel Robillard – bass
https://www.instagram.com/darkmeditation206
https://www.facebook.com/Darkmeditation
https://www.darkmeditation.bandcamp.com