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GOD FORBID’s Landmark Conceptual Album To Receive
Deluxe Reissue Treatment
IV: Constitution of Treason out Oct. 20th on Limited 2LP Gatefold Colored Vinyl
Pre-orders now available; Upcoming touring in Oct.
Seminal New Wave of American Heavy Metal act GOD FORBID have announced a vinyl reissue of their 2005 groundbreaking conceptual album IV: Constitution of Treason on Oct. 20th. Anticipated and requested by fans M-Theory Audio is pleased to announce a proper vinyl release of this landmark and critically praised album. Housed in a gatefold jacket this 2LP set is further expanded with a 4-panel insert with liner notes from singer Byron Davis and personal pics, flyers, etc. reworked by original designer and A+R man Tom Bejgrowicz (Misfits, Beastie Boys, Bad Brains), plus the bonus track, “We are No More.”
While the album is available from retailers worldwide Oct. 20th, pre-orders are available now HERE
IV: Constitution of Treason comes available as the retail 700 copy run on Ashes of Liberty splatter, or the mail-order/band direct variant format in a limited 300 copies on Dead, White and Blue colored vinyl.
"We are very proud to announce the release of God Forbid's IV: Constitution of Treason on vinyl. Although there was a small picture disc pressing released almost 20 years ago, the fan's demand for vinyl is so much more passionate now,” states guitarist Doc Coyle. “Many consider Constitution the best God Forbid album, and I couldn't be happier to give everyone a chance to re-experience this classic album in the best way possible."
The concept behind the IV: Constitution of Treason album told the story of a futuristic society that destroys itself, reforms many years later, and eventually destroys itself again in the same way as originally. Produced by Jason Suecof (Trivium, All That Remains, Death Angel), Eric Rachel (Black Dahlia Murder, Municipal Waste, Symphony X), and guitarists Doc and Dallas Coyle the album was a significant undertaking. The statement was further visualized by the wraparound artwork of Travis Smith (Opeth, Devin Townsend, Overkill, Nevermore). GOD FORBID’S fourth full-length was the first to chart on the Billboard 200, and the band toured relentlessly in Europe and the US in support of this album with bands such as The Haunted, God Dethroned, Meshuggah, Mnemic, Full Blown Chaos, and more.
While God Forbid disbanded in 2013 a recent slate of reissues in recent years of Determination and Gone Forever prompted renewed interest in the band, as well as guitarist Doc Coyle’s success in BAD WOLVES, leading to an invitation to reform for the Blue Ridge Festival, in addition to some headliners in the northeast. Next month GOD FORBID have announced a special run of shows in support of former labelmates LACUNA COIL, as well as their participation on the Headbangers Boat alongside names like Lamb of God, Mastodon, Testament, Shadows Fall, Hatebreed, GWAR and more.
10/26 - Chelsea’s Live - Baton Rouge, LA
10/28 - Club LA - Destin, FL
10/29 - Janus Live - St. Petersburg, FL
10/31-11/4/23 Headbangers Boat – Miami, FL to Nassau, Bahamas
GOD FORBID signed with Century Media Records shortly after the release of their 2000 self-released debut, Reject the Sickness. GOD FORBID would go on to release four albums in cooperation with the label including Determination, Gone Forever, IV: Constitution of Treason, and Earthsblood, before recording Equilibrium at Victory Records. Watch for the M-Theory Audio reissue of Earthblood in early 2024, while copies are still available of Determination and Gone Forever in stores or direct via Bandcamp or our webstore
ABSTRACTED Unveil New Music Video for “Introspection – Ego Death”
Brazilian Progressive Death Metal Act Releases 13-minute conceptual piece
The Brazilian progressive death metal act ABSTRACTED – whose sound blends blistering technicality with melodic and atmospheric moments -- have unveiled a new music video for their song “Introspection - Ego Death” from their latest album, Atma Conflux. The new video can be viewed HERE
With a production process spanning six months, the band's team unfolded their passion and dedication to create a truly impactful visual and musical experience. The music video is a visual masterpiece that complements ABSTRACTED's powerful soundtrack perfectly. Intensely emotional and artistically conceived scenes guide viewers through the experiences of the central character, conveying a range of emotions from anguish to hope. This music video is in actuality a 13-minute short film. ABSTRACTED demonstrates their undeniable ability to unite musical and visual elements to tell a deep and engaging story, setting the stage for the epic journey that is ‘Atma Conflux.’
‘"Introspection - Ego Death" is an invitation to explore the depths of the human psyche and accompany a character's struggle to find redemption and meaning amidst adversity. This video marks an exciting first step towards a musical experience that promises to challenge and touch the souls of listeners.”
The album ‘Atma Conflux’ delves deep into Buddhist and Tibetan religious traditions. The album creates a dense and mysterious universe in which a central character faces the crucial decision between life and death. The benevolent and malevolent "tulpas" deities play a crucial role in this dilemma, providing an intense and intriguing narrative that unfolds throughout the tracks. "Introspection - Ego Death" serves as a visceral introduction to the entire experience contained in the album. This music video not only introduces viewers to ABSTRACTED's musical universe but also offers a glimpse into the emotional complexities and profound themes that permeate the entire album. The central character of the video is portrayed captivatingly, immediately establishing a connection with the audience. His journey is a rollercoaster of emotions, revealing an intricate plot that addresses crucial questions of life, choices, and consequences. The video's plot explores the devastating impact of wrong choices, especially regarding involvement with dangerous substances. The central character, deeply immersed in the world of drugs, ends up losing control over his life and decisions. The narrative reaches a crucial moment when a devastating fire consumes everything he knew and loved. The name "Ego Death" is not just a mere expression, but rather a symbolic representation of the character's internal journey. Through the ashes of the fire, emerges an opportunity for profound transformation and self-discovery, marking the beginning of a journey that permeates the entire album.
Preparations for the music video began with the meticulous creation of the setting, inside an actual Masonic temple, which would serve as the backdrop for the emotional narrative of "Introspection - Ego Death.” Entire days were dedicated to constructing an environment that captured the essence of the plot, with meticulous attention to details that ABSTRACTED deemed essential to convey the depth of the story. The musical recording represented a crucial stage in the production process. The band poured their hearts and souls into performing the track from 9 AM until 11 PM, repeating the song numerous times. The commitment was evident, as drummer Fernando Pollon remained tireless, accompanying each musician during their individual takes. This collective effort resulted in a cohesive and powerful performance, infusing the music with a sense of unity.
To bring the characters of the narrative to life, an entire day was devoted to the artistic recording of the actors. Every expression, movement, and interaction were carefully choreographed to convey authentic emotions and capture the essence of the unfolding story. The day was extremely cold, and the actors filmed almost semi-nude. The commitment of both the musicians and the actors was a testament to the team's dedication to achieving an impressive visual representation. With the filming completed, the editing phase of the music video began. ABSTRACTED's team embarked on a meticulous process of selection, cutting, and enhancing the recorded scenes. Each sequence was carefully assembled to create a cohesive and engaging narrative, enriching the visual experience with impressive visual effects and a smooth narrative flow.
ABSTRACTED took their name from a song by Swedish melodic death metal greats Scar Symmetry. Influences from other European acts such as Gojira, Opeth, Necrophagist and Edge of Sanity, American bands such as Allegaeon, The Faceless, Fates Warning and Between The Buried And Me, and genre giants such as Death and Coroner all formed the basis for the sound that the band explores. The group continued to build their name in the years that followed while balancing scholastic pursuits with live appearances on festivals throughout their native country.
ABSTRACTED began working on their debut full-length, ‘Atma Conflux’ with continued writing, crafting, and producing the record. The album ‘Atma Conflux’ is the result of a four-year creative process, featuring seven immersive tracks that blend into a total of 64 minutes of intense and emotional music. ABSTRACTED skillfully merges elements of death metal with progressive nuances, providing a sonic journey that is simultaneously dense, melodic, and intricate. Their album sees the group integrating synthesizers and orchestral keyboards into their already-expansive sound. Previous videos from ‘Atma Conflux’ also include “Wither to Dust”, “Between Samsara and Samadhi” and “Decree of Sunlight” (featuring guest vocals by Mike Semesky (Raunchy, Interloper))
‘Atma Conflux’ is available in stores, online or order direct HERE
