Atmospheric Doom/Death …. Decades in the making – Pre-Order Now
We’re pleased to announce the signing of Chicago’s AVERNUS to M-Theory Audio. The atmospheric doom/death metal band are legends in our minds and armed with a solidified lineup and a crushing new album we intend to cement their legacy. Check out the quartet’s new music video for “Nemesis” HERE https://youtu.be/qdbaw_2lyuY The video is primed to support the release of the “Nemesis” digital single, which is now available for streaming/download on all digital platforms.
“’Nemesis’ is a song that reacts to the gross neglect and indifference towards that neglect of Earth. We have polluted to no end, and we continue making a mess of things wherever we are,” explains drummer Rick Yifrach. “In the end, the Earth has the last laugh, because she will survive humanity’s ravaging, while we will continue to bury our dead in the very mess we make, the rotten soil.
“Trying to capture the feel of the idea of the song, we knew that we would need the right videographer with the right set of skills to capture this correctly…enter Alex Zarek. We had a lot of fun making this video with Alex. Shot beautifully in a bit of a strange circumstance on location, Alex understood the direction of what we were going for and captured the correct shots,” says guitarist Erik Kikke.
“Nemesis” is a long-awaited return for AVERNUS, as their last official recording was released 21 years ago while their sole official album release, ‘Of the Fallen’ goes back even further to 1997. Still when the core foundational members (vocalist/guitarist Rick McCoy, guitarist Erik Kikke, guitarist James Genenz and drummer Rick Yifrach) regrouped to create new music our curiosity and excitement grew and as you’ll hear with “Nemesis” this is the most mature, dismally emotional and best AVERNUS have ever sounded.
And “Nemesis” is just one song, albeit it almost 10 minutes long, from a forthcoming new album, ‘Grievances’ featuring 10 new compositions (an 11th song found on the 2LP vinyl set is a bonus re-recorded early demo song). And with today’s music video/single premiere we’re also launching the pre-order for that limited-edition (300) black ash colored vinyl pressing or CD at our webstore https://m-theoryaudio.com/store or Bandcamp www.avernus.bandcamp.com
‘Grievances’ will be in stores Aug. 16th
Established in 1992 in Chicago, AVERNUS were one of the premiere bands mixing death metal with doom elements as evidenced by early demos over the next couple years — ‘A Tracery of Red’ featuring singer Rick McCoy and drummer Rick Yifrach and fan-favorite ‘Sadness,’ which added guitarist Erik Kikke to the lineup. In addition to becoming a live staple of Midwest shows and fests, a rippling effect began throughout underground circles. In 1994 AVERNUS’ reputation caught the attention of now-current M-Theory Audio president Marco Barbieri. At the time Marco worked at Metal Blade Records and included the band’s track “Godlessness” on ‘Metal Massacre XII’ in 1995. The song showed the beginnings of the group reaching for more melodic and gothic tendencies. Marco urged Metal Blade to sign the group but there just wasn’t enough enthusiasm from above. Marco felt so strongly about AVERNUS that he contemplated starting his own imprint then but the group instead signed with M.I.A. Records (Darkest Hour, Oppressor, Spirit Caravan) and released their ‘Of the Fallen’ album in 1997. The same year guitarist James Genenz (later of Fleshgrind, Jungle Rot) joined the ranks. AVERNUS didn’t make the breakthrough evidenced by their early talents and hard work. Recording a couple more demos the band wallowed in obscurity in the 2000s despite the efforts of remaining constant member, founder Rick McCoy. AVERNUS slowly crumbled away.But things never truly die and nostalgia for the group was urged by fans and even band members and slowly the pieces were assembled, reunion shows played and new music written culminating in the song released today and the forthcoming full-length album. By far the most cohesive and powerful recording assembled by a more experienced and yet calmer heads to create truly a masterwork.“Decades in the making. We have known Marco Barbieri since he was with Metal Blade Records.Marco has supported us since the mid-‘90s. He was the main reason we were given the opportunity to be a part of Metal Blade’s ‘Metal Massacre 12’ compilation.”“Forward to now… we finished recording a full-length record. Somehow the stars aligned and the conditions were right, and it fell into Marco’s hands. Soon after, with a short discussion and knowing the history that Marco has with so many great bands, we formed a partnership and became part of the M-Theory roster. This journey really has been “decades in the making” and came together as a “perfect storm”. We are humbled and honored to be a part of M-Theory Audio family.”
More information on AVERNUS and the upcoming album release will be revealed in the months to come at www.facebook.com/avernusdoommetal and by M-Theory Audio.
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www.avernus.bandcamp.com
www.m-theoryaudio.com
