PROFANE ELEGY Declares Defiance with New Single “I Am”

Independent black metal force PROFANE ELEGY returns with their latest single, “I Am,” a blistering anthem of rebellion and self-assertion that challenges both divine authority and human limitation.

Emerging from the underground in 2023, PROFANE ELEGY began as a two-man studio vision before evolving into a full four-piece band. Though divided across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the members have built a creative bond through remote collaboration. Countless file exchanges, late-night group chats, and a shared intensity brought their upcoming full-length album Herezjarcha to life.

“I Am” draws inspiration from the Book of Exodus, where Moses demands the name of God and receives the cryptic reply, “I am that I am.” In the hands of PROFANE ELEGY, this moment of divine revelation becomes a declaration of human defiance. It is not an act of submission but one of reclamation. With searing riffs, towering percussion, and an unrelenting vocal presence, “I Am” channels raw conviction into a sonic embodiment of will and resistance.

Following their acclaimed 2023 debut When All Is Nothing, which drew praise for its fusion of atmospheric black metal and doom-laden despair, the upcoming record promises to be heavier, more dynamic, and thematically deeper. Produced by J Gulick and mastered by Kevin Antreassian (Backroom Studios), Herezjarcha embodies the band’s commitment to vision over genre purity, weaving together black, doom, death, and progressive elements with orchestral textures and philosophical lyricism.

About PROFANE ELEGY

PROFANE ELEGY is a black metal band from Bangor, Pennsylvania, formed in late 2021 by guitarist J Gulick and vocalist Mikael L. Originally conceived as a two-man studio project, the band quickly evolved into a full lineup with the addition of bassist David G and drummer Sean M in 2023. What sets PROFANE ELEGY apart is their refusal to remain confined within genre boundaries—while rooted firmly in black metal, their sound incorporates elements of death, doom, and progressive metal, often enhanced by orchestral arrangements and clean vocals.

The band’s debut album When All Is Nothing (2023) was released independently and drew attention for its blend of atmospheric aggression and emotional vulnerability. The release earned praise for its ability to move fluidly between blistering speed and melancholic melody, with Doom Heart calling it “a massive Doom delight.” Following the album’s release, PROFANE ELEGY made their live debut and began performing across the northeastern United States, including a notable support slot for Dark Funeral in late 2024.

Lyrically, the band explores themes of nihilism, mortality, philosophy, and religious symbolism, often invoking figures like Satan not as dogmatic statements, but as metaphors in a broader spiritual and existential dialogue. Their work is poetic, introspective, and often challenges the listener to confront uncomfortable truths about life, death, and belief.

Their upcoming full-length album Herezjarcha, set for release in January 2026, represents the band’s most ambitious and expansive work to date. With a more dynamic sound, deeper orchestration, and a clear conceptual throughline, the record pushes their sonic and thematic boundaries further than ever before. The album title, the Polish translation of the English word heresiarch (meaning arch-heretic), encapsulates the spirit of the band: rebellious, introspective, and unafraid to question the sacred.

PROFANE ELEGY continues to forge a unique path within the underground metal scene. Blending bleak intensity with philosophical weight, they aim not just to be heard—but to be felt.

PROFANE ELEGY is:
 

  • Mikael L – Vocals, Orchestration

  • J Gulick – Guitars, Orchestration

  • David G – Bass, Orchestration

  • Sean M – Drums


Connect with PROFANE ELEGY:
 

OBSIDIOUS Premieres Performance Video for New Song, "I Am"

PRE-ORDER

Modern progressive metal outfit OBSIDIOUS is now releasing a brand new performance video for the new single, "I Am." The track is taken from the band's upcoming debut album, 'Iconic,' which will be released tomorrow, October 28, 2022 via Season of Mist! The video was shot during the band's performance at the mighty Euroblast festival, which took place in September 2022. The video can be seen below.

OBSIDIOUS comments: "The concept of the lyrics of this song is a little more abstract. It is the personification of a feeling speaking to its host, presenting itself and convincing the host to embrace it and ultimately succumb to it. It is like the biblical story of temptation being represented by the devil, but, in this case, without the willpower to resist.”

'Iconic' can be pre-ordered on physical formats HERE while you can pre-save the album to all streaming services HERE.

Modern metallers Obsidious launch their wonderfully intricate and musically-accomplished new album, Iconic, via Season of Mist. The group—featuring Linus Klausenitzer (bass), Rafael Trujillo (guitars), Sebastian Lanser (drums), and vocalist Javi Perera (vocals)—come from distinguished and lettered origins in Obscura, Alkaloid, Eternity’s End, and Juggernaut. Obsidious, however, are a different creature entirely. Iconic is technical but not officious. The album breathes intensity but expands upon it with mellifluent dexterity. With Obsidious, there’s always a hook. The early release of and positive feedback from video singles “Under Black Skies,” “Sense of Lust,” and the title track illustrates these qualities well. Iconic builds upon a prestigious foundation, but its vision isn’t restricted to its tenets.

“We consider ourselves the modern evolution of progressive and technical metal,” bassist Linus Klausenitzer says. “To name a few bands: Dream Theater, Devin Townsend, Meshuggah, Opeth, Between the Buried and Me, Protest the Hero, Periphery, and Haken. As such, our music asks for many different moods and vibes. Javi’s vocals reinforce that idea, adding meaning and drama to it. While we still work as session musicians, Obsidious is now our main priority.”

Obsidious crystallized after Klausenitzer, Trujillo, and Lanser departed amicably from fellow German tech-metallers Obscura in 2020. Named after black volcanic glass, the group’s moniker exudes something dark, of fiery origin, in a state of final transformation. Metaphorically, the name Obsidious offers a nearly limitless platform for expression and advancement. However, it was only when the trio brought on newcomer Perera—whose growls and full-toned voice are first-rate—were the multi-national outfit officially codified. Interestingly enough, the newly-joined frontman couldn’t even meet his bandmates while the band wrote, recorded, and filmed videos for Iconic due to the pandemic. Yet, the technologically-apt foursome made it work.

Iconic is an album of manifold extremes. “Sense of Lust,” “I Am,” and “Devotion,” for example, pivot on heavy rhythmic axes, their intense grooves seamlessly unifying with ample doses of atmospheric dissonance. “Under Black Skies,” “Delusion,” and the title track, on the other hand, are nimbly expeditious, with Perera’s considerable vocal talents complementing Trujillo, Klausenitzer, and Lanser’s angularly-involved, smartly-experimental songcraft. As for “Iron Dust,” “Lake of Afterlife,” and the massive chorus in the ferocious “Bound by Fire,” they offer a more straightforward (yet ebullient) musical and aesthetic posture. Throughout Iconic, Obsidious impress with their artistic inventiveness and creative expanse.

“Seventy-five percent of the band members were part of Obscura, so we knew what most of our fans like and what they don’t,” says Klausenitzer. “When we decided to integrate clean vocals, we knew that the reactions would be controversial. But we like to push the boundaries. We don’t like to stand still musically—we want to add something fresh to metal. This is why this band is so special for some listeners already.”

Lyrically, Perera tackles human-relatable topics throughout Iconic. While his modern metal peers abstractly traverse the vagaries of the universe, the singer hits home where and when it matters. Disaster in any form is trauma-inducing, and this is at the heart of Under Black Skies, where a tremendous yet preventable calamity descends on a petty yet desperate populace. BDSM, an uncommon topic in metaldom, carries through “Sense of Lust.” Here, sex and the power of and subsequent joy by the submissive are explored. The title track, “Iconic,” discusses dementia. Perera’s profession outside of Obsidious is in healthcare, and he’s seen firsthand how the mental disorder traps and torments. Iconic is a showcase in multiplicity.

“This album does not have a concept per se in terms of lyrics or an underlying storyline,” vocalist Javi Perera says. “The songs on this album touch on subjects of diverse nature, and there are even some songs that narrate personal experiences. But what I can consider as a common denominator in the album is the absence of constraints on a compositional or stylistic level, allowing us the freedom to shift between different musical genres as long as the song requires it. I always consider that we, as artists and musicians, are at the service of the music and not the other way around.”

Extensive pre-production aided in Obsidious handling a pandemic-era recording process for Iconic. For the official sessions, the group spread out parts to several different studios. Firstly, Lanser kicked Iconic into gear by recording drums at Lanser Studios in Salzburg, Austria. The rest of Obsidious holed up in Woodshed Studios in Fürth, Germany, where producer V. Santura (Triptykon, Obscura) tracked guitars, bass, vocals, synths, and sound effects. Vocal overdubs and additional soundscaping were taken to TheRedHouse Studio in Cambridge, England. Obsidious then handed the finalized pieces back to V. Santura to mix and master. Even though Iconic was a non-linear undertaking, it sounds absolutely monumental.

“The pre-production was very professional,” says Klausenitzer. “So, we already had an idea of what we wanted the songs to sound like—we had a specific sonic goal in mind. We had already worked with V. Santura before, so we knew what to expect in that regard. The recording sessions were, if anything, straightforward. When V. Santura completed the final master, we knew we had created something unique and special—the Obsidious sound!”

Obisidious are ready to deploy their unique brand of hooky neoteric metal on Iconic. From Trujillo’s wickedly clever riffs and Lanser’s artful drumming to Klausenitzer’s superb counterpoint and Perera’s soaring vocals/venomous spits, songs like “Under Black Skies,” “Iconic,” “Bound by Fire,” and “Nowhere” brim with cool calculation and aggressive spontaneity. They storm normality not only musically and lyrically. The monolithic cover piece by French graphic artist Adrien Bousson (Rotting Christ, Khonsu) also transcends convention. Obsidious are poised for a breakthrough on Iconic. Prepare for metal’s modern metamorphosis!

Genre: Modern Progressive Metal

Lineup:
Linus Klausenitzer - Bass
Rafael Trujillo - Guitar 
Javi Perera - Vocals 
Sebastian Lanser - Drums

Recording studios:
Drums recorded at Lanser Studios in Salzburg (AU)
Guitars, vocals, synths and soundeffects at Woodshed Studios in Fürth (DE)
Vocal overdubs and soundscaping at TheRedHouse Studio in Cambridge (UK)

Production, mixing, mastering: V. Santura (TRIPTYKON, OBSCURA)

Cover artwork: Adrien Bousson

Bio: Chris Dick

Links:
www.obsidious-band.com
www.facebook.com/ObsidiousBand
www.youtube.com/channel/UCYYfE8L7J0TDFpRPkCj7D4
www.instagram.com/obsidious_band
https://obsidious-band.bandcamp.com/

Pre-sales: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/ObsidiousIconic

Pre-save: https://orcd.co/obsidious-iconic

Formats:
CD Digipak
Digital
2x 12” Gatefold (Black)
2x 12” Gatefold (Cool Blue)
2x 12” Gatefold (Orange)