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FINLAND’S SHADE OF SORROW TO RELEASE DEBUT JUNE 28th
‘Upon the Fields of Grief’ Pre-Order Available Now
Anticipated by many after the 3 promising singles self-released by the band, Finland’s SHADE OF SORROW finally announce the street date of the forthcoming debut with M-Theory Audio.
June 28th marks the release of ‘Upon the Fields of Grief.’ Featuring striking cover art by Gogo Melone (Kamelot, Ablaze My Sorrow, Mariana’s Rest) the album, available on CD and limited edition (300 onyx marble) colored vinyl, is available for preorder now HERE
SHADE OF SORROW started in 2017 when founder Mika Kankainen, former drummer of Soul Terror and Warceremony, was writing material and playing all the instruments himself, including drums, bass, guitar, keyboard, while also handling vocals thus showcasing his immense talent and virtuosity. These songs started to catch the attention of other musicians and producers who in 2020 encouraged Mika to deliver on his promise and he began to record the material to share with the world. A year later digital singles and accompanying music videos started to premiere, each self-released, including “No Return” and “Fabricated Hope,” followed by “Meteor” in 2022 which gained further attention including that of M-Theory Audio, who signed SHADE OF SORROW in 2023.
Since Mika has finished writing and co-producing a full album, ‘Upon the Fields of Grief,’ with Esa Uusimaa (Crowen, Rain of Acid, Wolfheart), who also mixed, and Saku Moilanen (Before the Dawn, Aeonian Sorrow, Red Moon Architect) with vocal production by Juha Kylmanen (To/Die/For, For My Pain…). Mastering was handled by Juho Raiha (Before the Dawn, Swallow the Sun). Now that this epic work is complete Mika is ready to share his bleak visions and strong performances with the world this summer.
”’Upon the Fields of Grief’ takes you to my mindset and perspective, where I see the world slicing its wrists and drowning us all. It’s a personal survival kit from this absolute darkness that we call life,” explains Mika Kankainen. “The bitter vinegar of endless disappointments and personal hate, disgust and aggression coming 100% from the heart. Black n’ dark is not enough to describe this macabre rollercoaster that this album gives you. It’s a one-man manifestation from the deepest northern darkness. Prepare to experience the coldest wind and grief from the north. From Finland with hate.”
More new music and album information on SHADE OF SORROW and the upcoming album revealed in the months leading up to release.
AMIENSUS RELEASE THIRD SINGLE FROM IMPENDING NEW ALBUM
Check “Senses Amplified” Online Now – New Album Out April 26th
AMIENSUS, the US Progressive Black Metal band, offer another sample from their forthcoming album with “Senses Amplified.” The digital single is on all streaming/download platforms now, along with its accompanying lyric video – Watch HERE
“’Senses Amplified’ should feel familiar to longtime Amiensus listeners, but crossed into some new territory we've never explored musically,” explains singer/guitarist James Benson. “Kakophonix guests adding cello in lieu of any synths on this song. This song is about a dream, but the interpretation is up to the listener.”
“Senses Amplified” follows earlier singles “Vermillion Fog of War” and “Reverie” as AMIENSUS set up their forthcoming album, ‘Reclamation: Part 1,’ for release April 26th on Digipak CD and limited colored vinyl (300 Turquoise Blue). Preorders are already underway HERE
Hear why Metal Injection calls AMIENSUS “arguably one of the best progressive black metal bands out there” or Two Angry Guys refer to them as “masterful black metal.” But while rooted in the harshness of that scene AMIENSUS offer so much more to listeners as evidenced by Metal Temple describing them as such - “harsh angry tones combine with pretty, ambient moments… it’s depressing music, but in a beautiful way.”
“Our current lineup has been together for the past 6 years, and this album being a double album, is our proclamation to the world that we are still here, and as strong as ever,” continues James. “Lyrically it covers a myriad of subjects, many of which pertain to my experience as a therapist and drug and alcohol counselor for the last 10 years, as well as our experiences with religion and spirituality, addiction, and world events.”
James Benson may be a familiar name to fans of the label as James also fronts Midwest post-black metal operatives and labelmates CHROME WAVES, and hence the personal introduction needed to cement future work with AMIENSUS. In addition to James, AMIENSUS includes GHOST BATH drummer Chris Piette plus guitarists Alec Rozsa, Kelsey Roe and bassist Todd Farnham.
AMIENSUS’ new album, ‘Reclamation: Part 1,’ featuring cover artwork by Aria Fawn, will be followed in late summer by another album containing more melancholic, epic, harsh and emotional takes on progressive black metal, perfect for fans of like-minded visionaries Agalloch, Enslaved, Borknagar and Insomnium.
AMIENSUS formed in Minnesota in 2010 as a project amongst friends, who self-released an EP that same year. It took 3 years for the band to develop into a full group that included expanding their lineup way beyond state lines to find the right talents and mindsets and release the atmospheric black metal must-have album ‘Restoration’ in 2013. Two years later AMIENSUS were back with the more polished and well-received ‘Ascension,’ which introduced Alec and Todd to the ranks. 2017 marked the release of the lengthy EP, ‘All Paths Lead To Death’ (Apathia/Black Lion Records) which saw the band drop some of the heavy orchestration in favor of more melodic death and black metal passages and introduced Chris. In 2020 AMIENSUS signed with Transcending Records to release the heralded ‘Abreaction,’ which now also included Kelsey. That same lineup remains and has recorded the anticipated ‘Reclamation,’ out April 26th on M-Theory Audio.
