A FOREST OF STARS reveal video single ‘Ascension of the Clowns‘
& details of new album “Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface“
A FOREST OF STARS reveal the remarkable lyric video single ‘Ascension of the Clowns‘, based on the original paintings of lead vocalist Curse for the forthcoming new album “Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface“, which is slated for release on May 8, 2026.
A FOREST OF STARS comment on ‘Ascension of the Clowns’: “This song is written from the perspective of a person whose mental state has hit rock bottom”, lead vocalist Curse declares. “A person who is at the mercy of addiction and who has wasted away amidst the sheer wealth of chemicals available to assist their self destruction. This person is watching the world crumble into soundbites and computer generated reality. All around them, fools stand on pedestals, building upon foundations of lies with bricks of self importance. The person is watching as kindness becomes selfishness and beauty becomes ugliness. They see little hope of change.”
Credits
Video by Łukasz Jaszak
Artwork by Curse
Tracklist
1. Ascension of the Clowns
2. Street Level Vertigo
3. Mechanically Separated Logic
4. Roots Circle Usurpers
5. Sway, Draped in Vague
6. Not Drinking Water
A FOREST OF STARS are the physical manifestation of what can confidentially be called ‘British Black Metal’. “Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface”, the grandiose sixth full-length by the band from West Yorkshire is the sonic expression of this distinct and discernible local variant of the genre.
“Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface” sends its tendril-like roots deep into British musical soil. In his recitative mode, vocalist Curse is even reminiscent of electro poet Anne Clark – after a steady diet of prescription drugs and rusty nails. On the other hand, his singing voice evokes memories of a young Martin Walkyier. The impressive command of the English language by that great metal bard, his plentiful plays on words and subtle multi-layered meanings also have a place in the poetic lyrics of A FOREST OF STARS – yet in different, often far more neo-dadaist ways, in which tiny twists of spelling can have surprisingly dark effects.
Another sonic pillar on which “Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface” stands, is the violin of Katheryne aka Queen of the Ghosts. Her melodies time and time again build beautiful bridges over the dissonant churning of electric guitars as they gloriously luxuriate in the chaos they create. While there is, of course, precedent for the use of the violin in UK metal with SKYCLAD and – much closer to home – MY DYING BRIDE leading the charge, Katheryne clearly paves her own way and offers a hand to guide the listener along the thorny metal path.
On the harsh, electric side of their unique sound, A FOREST OF STARS make use of the full spectrum that both classic heavy and black metal have to offer – with deadly and progressive moments meticulously slotted into all the right places. Connoisseurs of the black arts will not fail to notice that the collective from Leeds beg to differ from traditional Norse berserkir in the wake of MAYHEM, as well as contemporary compatriots such as WINTERFYLLETH.
Those who desperately search for comparisons might point to the intelligent and wide musical range employed by their brothers-in-spirit FEN, or the tendency to use the mentally deranged storytellers found in CRADLE OF FILTH, but these acts are not much alike either. It seems more promising to look at British music in general; for example that eerily 70s psychedelic rock passage in ‘Sway, Draped in Vague’ – or the thunderous, attention grabbing bass part in ‘Ascension of the Clowns’ that appears to darkly twist the BAUHAUS pump – or occasional folk-ish leanings that seemingly channel FAIRPORT CONVENTION among other English staples.
With A FOREST OF STARS, being essentially British has been right there from the moment of their founding in Leeds in 2007. Yet while in the past, the band has often presented itself within the trappings of the feckless upper echelons, a true hard working, artisan heart beats in its chest expressing an all-encompassing DIY spirit. From the creation and production of music, the painting of artwork, and even the assembling of box-sets by hand: A FOREST OF STARS do it all by themselves. Other sure indications of their origin are a dry, often slightly sardonic sense of humour and a strong tendency for understatement.
Although A FOREST OF STARS are not frequently active on the live circuit, their previous five albums from “The Corpse of Rebirth” (2008) to “Grave Mounds and Grave Mistakes” (2018) have all been highly rated by critics and well received by fans, which led to their last full-length even gaining a foothold in the official German album charts.
A FOREST OF STARS have used their temporary hiatus well, diligently creating a collection of songs, taking as long as was needed to hone their craft – to the point of discarding an entire finished album and starting again from scratch. “Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface” brilliantly balances the utter insanity of our time, sardonic humour, and dark stories, effortlessly shifting between black metal tradition and genius innovation with zero regard for any arbitrary rules imposed on the genre. “Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface” is undoubtedly pure A FOREST OF STARS: complex, catchy, contradictory – and completely individualistic. Welcome to British Black Metal!
Band: A Forest of Stars
Album title: Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface
Style: British Black Metal
Release date: May 8, 2026
Label: Prophecy Productions
Review impact date: April 6, 2026
Line-up
Curse – lead vocals, formal complaints
John “The Resurrectionist” Bishop – drums
Titus Lungbutter – bass
Katheryne “Queen of the Ghosts” – violin, flute, vocals
TS Kettleburner – six & twelve string guitars, vocals
William Wight-Barrow – six string & lap steel guitars
The Gentleman – keyboards, percussion, samples
Produced by The Gentleman
Production assistance by Kettleburner & Wight-Barrow
Recording by The Gentleman at the Club (currently of no fixed abode)
Drum recording by Simon Blakelock at Hohm Recording Studio, Bradford (UK)
Bass recording by Kettleburner at Turnberry Castle
Mix & Mastering by Rob Hobson at home studio, West Yorkshire (UK)
Artwork hand-paintedby Curse
Layout & graphic design by Lord Grum
Links
https://aforestofstars.co.uk
www.facebook.com/aforestofstars
https://www.instagram.com/aforestofstarsband
Shoplink
https://spkr.store/collections/a-forest-of-stars
Available formats
“Stack Overflow in Corpse Pile Interface” is available as a ltd. 2CD box incl. 3-track bonus CD “Ticket to Writhe” et al. (400 copies), a ltd. Hardcover box with neon violet vinyl 2LP et al. (150 copies), ltd. Gatefold neon violet vinyl 2LP (300 copies), Gatefold black vinyl 2LP, and as Digisleeve CD.
