For fans of heavy music, the four stars of Meridian Veil are easy to spot. Guitarist Danny Marino, vocalist Matt McGachy, drummer Dylan Gowan and cellist Raphael Weinroth-Browne are known not only across their native Canada but around the world as members of The Agonist, Cryptopsy, Seven Spires and Leprous. Now, together, they’re pushing themselves to even greater emotional extremes with their new progressive metal band’s inventive debut album. At once bold, blistering and beautiful, Forgotten Sun is a timely reminder of everything that makes us human.

“From the beginning, more than 20 years ago, I wanted Meridian Veil to be deeply emotional”, Marino says. “Even though Forgotten Sungets heavy, there’s a deep longing that runs through the cautionary tale at the album’s core”.

Today, Meridian Veil are officially announcing Forgotten Sun by premiering its thrilling music video for the album’s epic opener and lead single. “The Watcher” with Metal Injection.

Watch the music video for “The Watcher” below:

Forgotten Sun comes out January 22, 2027 on Season of Mist.

Pre-order & Pre-save

https://orcd.co/meridianveilforgottensun

Meridian Veil is two decades in the making. Marino and McGachy first met during the early 2000s while the two were growing up in Montreal, Québec. But the concept behind Forgotten Sun has never been more pressing. Unlike conventional dystopian epics, the album is told from the perspective of an Artificial Superintelligence that’s programmed to serve the greater good, albeit, to disastrous results.

“Technology is evolving far faster than the actual evolution of our species”, Marino comments. “It’s going so fast that soon we’ll be at the point where we are completely disconnected from it”.

Lead single “The Watcher” signals the moment that the A.I. is welcomed into our world. “I am afraid”, McGachy declares in an awe-inspiring scream that’s met by a rush of Gowan’s blast beats. While each band member is well-known for their metallic strength, Meridian Veil prides itself on emotional feats. Like a flutter of excitement in the pit of one’s stomach, Marino’s deep aching melodies leap into piercing leads. Stroking and shredding on his cello, Raphael Weinroth-Browne raises the tension until the song reaches it cathartic finish.

“There’s so much to take in”, McGachy sings, polishing off his raspy cleans. “Now I’m eager to see everything”.

“Singing on this album was freeing for me”, McGachy shares. “I’m happy to show that side of myself”.

“When you have a band that involves writers from different styles, you get something really unique”, Gowan adds.

Weinroth-Browne agrees. “I believe Forgotten Sun captures the best aspects of 2000’s death and prog metal with a distinctly modern approach”.

The video for “The Watcher” was written and directed by Christopher Kells. Kells played bass and contributed backing vocals in The Agonist alongside Marino.

“I’ve known Chris for almost 30 years”, McGachy says. “It’s been very nice for me to watch him blossom into such a great director”.

Additional video credits

Director of Photography - Jonathan Beaton

Gaffer - Franz Stapleberg

Key Grip - Dan Carne

Art Direction - Giuseppe Calvanisti

Makeup Artist - Ruby Pearls

Producers - Christopher Kells & Jonathan Beaton

Editing - Christopher Kells

Color - Chritopher Kells & Jonathan Beaton

Background - Simon McKay & Corey Croisier

Location - Dock 619

Unlike conventional dystopian epics, Forgotten Sun is told from the perspective of an Artificial Superintelligence that’s programmed for good. Lead single “The Watcher” welcomes the A.I. into the world with a rush of blast beats, awe-inspiring screams and raspy cleans. But despite its sincere intentions on early standout shredder “Orpheus Before the Light”, the A.I. grows frustrated as human nature thwarts its efforts toward progress. Emboldened by commanding riffs and an undeniable chorus, “False Shepherd” refuses to serve an earthly kingdom it deems built on lies, loss and endless greed.

“As the album unfolds, the A.I. stops being benevolent and starts to become controlling”, Marino explains. “It steps in to fix our mistakes, only to end up with disastrous results”.

Whether Forgotten Sun ends with a shred of hope remains open to interpretation. Shrouded by strings that ache from sorrow, “The Last Garden” mourns humanity’s failed potential, though its tragic irony cuts far deeper. “I will not fail again”, McGachy belts as his bandmates end the album in the most ideal way possible: with an incinerating climax.

“Forgotten Sun is a cautionary tale”, Marino concludes. “While flawed, it’s our messy human nature that allows us to thrive”.

Perhaps it’s too late for humanity as a whole, but when it comes to metal’s expanded universe, a star is born in Meridian Veil.

Lineup

Danny Marino - Guitars

Matt McGachy - Vocals

Dylan Gowan - Drums

Raphael Weinroth-Browne - Cello

Production Credits

Vocals, guitars and drums produced and engineered by Christian Donaldson.

Cello produced and engineered by Darren Mcgill at Union Sound Studio.

Vocals, drums and bass guitar recorded at The Grid.

Additional guitars recorded at PHG Studios.