[photo by Shane Gardner]
Maryland-based psychedelic doom trio YATRA prepares for the release of their debut album, Death Ritual, through Grimoire Records this Friday. Advancing its release, New Noise Magazine is now streaming the entire record.
YATRA‘s sound is a journey into mountainous sounds, transcending into the deep forests of primeval times. Born from the ashes of Blood Raven, the new three-piece emerged in 2017 as frontman Dana Helmuth’s new vehicle to embrace the darkness and doom. Confident in Maria Geisbert and Mike Tull as his new rhythm section, Helmuth’s inspiration was fueled exponentially. YATRA‘s full-length debut, Death Ritual was written over several months in a secluded cottage with minimal essentials, far from society and its distractions. Fans of Electric Wizard, Cough, Yob, and Sleep will find plenty to enjoy in Death Ritual.
Helmuth offers, “We are humbled to present this first offering of YATRA, Death Ritual, and look forward to hearing about the journey that it takes you on.”
Stream YATRA’s entire Death Ritual album at New Noise Magazine RIGHT HERE.
Death Ritual was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Grimoire Records’ Noel Mueller in August of 2018. The artwork features three mixed-media pieces by Aki Pitkänen, layout by Mueller, and the hand-drawn logotype by Helmuth.
Death Ritual will be released on CD and digital download via Grimoire Records, and as a limited-edition vinyl release directly from the band, on January 4th, 2019. Find preorders HERE.
YATRA continues to play live across the East Coast in support of Death Ritual with shows in Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, and more confirmed in advance of their trip to Austin, Texas as part of SXSW this year. Watch for more live updates to be made shortly.
YATRA Tour Dates:
1/15/2019 Sidebar – Baltimore, MD w/ Toke, Greenfiend, Tombtoker
1/16/2019 Arlene’s Grocery – New York, NY @ Ode To Doom w/ Clouds Taste Satanic, Matte Black, Sleeping Village
1/24/2019 The Ottobar – Baltimore, MD
2/02/2019 Century Bar – Philadelphia, PA w/ Backwoods Payback, Decap Attak
3/14/2019 SpiderHouse – Austin, TX @ SXSW
4/20/2019 The Ottobar – Baltimore, MD w/ Ruby The Hatchet, Book Of Wyrms, Haze Mage
While traveling through Nepal and the Himalayas by motorcycle in 2013, Helmuth learned the native word “yatra” which means journey or pilgrimage, which he later recalled as the namesake of this new doom trio. The band’s eclectic sound combines the harsh, distorted vocal sounds of black metal over slow, heavy doom drones, fuzzed-out sludge riffs, and a tight rhythm section maintained by Maria Geisbert on bass and Mike Tull on drums. YATRA‘s sound clearly conveys heavy worship and dedication to tone. Helmuth’s lyrics draw from fantasy and are influenced by the writings of Howard, Lovecraft, Auel, Tolkien, as well as many references to Norse mythology and Pagan ritual. No love or politics.
http://www.facebook.com/yatradoom
https://yatradoom.bandcamp.com
http://www.grimoirerecords.com
http://grimoirerecords.bandcamp.com