Merrimack are unraveling another piece of Of Grace and Gravity. Today, the renowned French black metal band are releasing their new album's cosmic, eerie second single.
Listen to "Dead and Distant Clamors" below.
"Dead and Distant Clamors" dives into an existential abyss. The lyrics not only confront the powers that shape this world, but also our eternal struggle against great beyond.
"Who proclaims, who decides, who announces the end of orations?" vocalist Vestal protests. "Captive of forms that vitrify again this side of reality".
This battle against the inevitable is waged against a Merrimack's signature backdrop of relentless, dissonant, atmospheric black metal. "Dead and Distant Clamors" unfolds like a dark cosmic ballet, stirring emotions that range from despair to defiance.
Of Grace and Gravity comes out March 8, 2024 on Season of Mist.
Pre-order: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/MerrimackGraceGravity
Here's what Merrimack have to say about the release of Dead and Distant Clamors:
"This song pays tribute to old-school black metal, embracing its desperate atmosphere and incorporating haunting, slow sections reminiscent of a depressive waltz", says Merrimack. "Guitars engage in a conversation around a hypnotic crescendo, while the vocals articulate the inevitable possibilities of decay. Expect nothing less than a pure homage to the essence of darkness".
MERRIMACK are back with their new album 'Of Grace and Gravity'. Their third release for Season of Mist arrives after the re-print of their long sold-out debut 'Ashes of Purification', which followed the sizeable impact that their last album, 'Omegaphilia', had on the Black Metal Scene.
Merrimack can be categorised as extreme traditionalists that are driven by a burning desire to hone their skills and striving to bring their art to perfection. The band was founded by guitarist Perversifier a.k.a. Amfortas in 1994 with a clear vision to keep the black metal flame burning as an act of aesthetic terrorism – as adamantly based in the underground as opposed to any attempts to co-opt, commercialise or turn the style into a self-parody. Introduced by a number of demo recordings (‘Prologue’ – 1995, ‘Act 1’ – 1995, ‘Horns Defeat Thorns’ – 2001) and split releases (with Hirilorn in 1998 and Sargeist in 2002), the French gained respect in the scene by remaining true to their words.
Although Merrimack decided to reach out to a larger audience with the release of their first full-length ‘Ashes of Purification’, the Parisians did not sever their roots with the underground at any time. With the following albums, ‘Of Entropy and Life Denial’ (2006) and ‘Grey Rigorism’ (2009), Merrimack closed ranks with the most influential, active, and authentic acts of the French black metal scene. Their classic combination of harsh sound with epic structures appealed to critics and fans alike and put the band on their celebrated first US tour with MARDUK and NACHTMYSTIUM in 2009.
After recording ‘The Acausal Mass’ (2012) in the legendary Necromorbus Studio (WATAIN, DESTRÖYER 666) again, Merrimack embarked on a European tour with Norwegian icons MAYHEM and accepted invitations to prestigious festivals such as Hellfest in their native France, Germany’s Party-San Open Air and Summer Breeze as well as Montreal’s Messe des Morts in Canada. With their previous album, ‘Omegaphilia’, Merrimack were breathing fresh life into an exhausted genre. While ignoring epithets such as progressive, post-, and avant-garde, the French focused on razor-sharp songwriting, captivating melodies, and close to perfect arrangements.
The ensemble now presents their latest album 'Of Grace and Gravity', an aural journey where grotesque assemblies of roosters and goats languish at the foot of heavens. Wallowing guitars and hypnotized passages of blasting drums collide with gravity-bound atoms in oblivious occlusion. Merrimack, in their enigmatic mastery, expose the futility of belief in occult ministries and slashes at the mask of the sky. The listener, questioned in their faith of the shadows and occult idols. Dare believe in the sulfurous whispers echoing through this blackened masterpiece.
Line-up
Perversifier - Guitars
A.K. - Guitars
Blastum - Drums
Vestal - Vocals
Daethorn - Bass
Recording Studio
Studio Sainte Marthe, Paris, France
Sound, Mixing & Mastering Engineer
Francis Caste
Artwork Artist
Belial Necroarts - Front cover
Opposition Artworks - Inner illustrations
Adrien Bousson - Layout
Pre-order: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/MerrimackGraceGravity
Links:
Bandcamp: https://merrimack.bandcamp.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merrimackofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/merrimack666/
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/en/artist/99176
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3XWKabUW6Y9pm9vyNGlrhV
Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/artist/3642745
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/merrimack/41660594
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/music/player/artists/B000QKG2N8
Booking Contact:
merrimack@satanslegions.com
Available Formats:
Digital Download
CD Digipak
12" Vinyl Gatefold - Black
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Transparent Clear
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - White
12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Transparent w/ Black Splatters