Knoxville, Tennessee doom metallers PLACE OF SKULLS are pleased to announce the upcoming release of their long-awaited fourth full-length entitled As A Dog Returns. The follow-up to 2006’s The Black Is Never Far was recorded at Lakeside Studios in Knoxville by Travis Wyrick and founding guitarist/vocalist Victor Griffin (Pentagram, Death Row, Cathedral, Joe Hasselvander) with drums recorded and engineered by Mike Dearing.
Said Griffin of the band’s latest output: “The new album As A Dog Returns picks up dynamically where The Black Is Never Far left off. Where The Black… album had a bit more of a depressive theme lyrically, the new album tends to look to a brighter outcome. Musically we’ve gone further than ever before with dynamics and production. Though all the PLACE OF SKULLS’ brand of heaviness you would expect is certainly there, there’s a nice ebb and flow with quieter parts which tend to set a very dramatic and melancholy mood at times to the overall album.
“With every album we’ve done,” he continues, “our growth and progression has been evident, and this new release is no different. I’m really enjoying the growth of my songwriting as time goes by. I don’t feel as if I have anything to prove so I think the writing gets more open, honest, and genuine with every release. We’re very excited to finally get a new album out and hit the road again! Look for As A Dog Returns to be available in late September!”
As A Dog Returns Track Listing:
1. Timeless Hearts
2. Breath Of Life
3. Though He Slay Me
4. Psalm
5. Dayspring
6. The Maker
7. He’s God
8. Desperation
9. As A Dog Returns
Check out a brief clip from the PLACE OF SKULLS studio sessions here:
Place of Skulls in the studio 2010
Victor Griffin | MySpace Video
Formed in early 2000 by guitarist/singer/songwriter Victor Griffin, bassist Lee Abney and drummer Tim Tomaselli, PLACE OF SKULLS — a biblical reference to Golgotha — carries the torch of prior Griffin and Abney bands such as Death Row and Pentagram in the ever-burgeoning underground scene of doom metal. But as their sound continues to expand beyond those boundaries, they incorporate intricate dynamics in their songs that few bands of the same genre explore and lyrically reflect upon their spiritual beliefs, faith, God, politics, and the search for peace.
Having stepped outside the proverbial box of “doom metal,” PLACE OF SKULLS opens the door of accessibility to a whole other cross section of heavy rock enthusiast. But by no means should this be taken lightly. Their sound is as crushing and molten live as ever and no less threatening than any of their musical counterparts in volume. With a new album and tour now on the horizon, PLACE OF SKULLS looks primed to re-establish their position among their fans and peers.
As A Dog Returns will be released this fall. Further details to be announced soon.
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