Over the past 20 odd years, Hooded Menace have stood not as a bridge but a pillar between two different realms of underground metal. The cultishly beloved band's upcoming seventh album is still bound by a morbid obsession with classic horrors. But on Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration, Finland's stewards of death-doom remain far from stuck in their ways. Lead single "Portrait Without a Face" cranks up the neon-soaked nightmares while digging out a grave new surprise from under their long-sleeve.

Watch the classic horror video for "Portrait Without a Face" below.

Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration comes out October 3, 2025 on Season of Mist.

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Hooded Menace continue to pave a harrowing path for undying metal legions who crave creepier, crushing tempos. The band's new single opens with drummer Pekka Koskelo pounding like death's door. Their flesh-eating muse still looms over Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration. Cover artist Wes Benscoter recreates director Amando de Ossorio's the Blind Dead in all of the film's ghoulish glory. But the album hammers home the influence of '80s heavy metal that was rung in by previous LP The Tritonus Bell. With its conspiratorial web of leads, "Portrait Without a Face" bears a glowing resemblance to King Diamond.

The lasting influence of Candlemass and Paradise Lost hasn't vanished without a trace, but Hooded Menace continue to break the mold that they've set for death-doom. While the bone-crushing riffs of founding member Lasse Pyykkö cement the rock-solid foundation beneath Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration, even he was surprised when sculpting the album's lead single. Like an echo from beyond the grave, what should appear within "Portrait Without a Face" but the haunted moan of a cello.

"Sucked into the realm of sweet damnation". Vocalist Harri Kuokkanen growls deep into the dead of night, as if lured down a darkened hallway by former live bassist Antii Poutanen's sorrowful string saws.

The video for "Portrait Without a Face" was directed by Tekla Valy with additional footage filmed by Mikko Saastamoinen.

On Lachyrmose Monuments of Obscuration, Hooded Menace cast death-doom in a ghostly new light.

Line-up
Harri Kuokkanen — Vocals
Lasse Pyykkö — Guitar, Bass, Keyboards
Pekka Koskelo — Drums

Guest Musicians
Antti Poutanen — Cello
John McNulty — Spoken Word

Production Credits
Recorded by Heikki Marttila at Guru Studio, Joensuu, Finland.
Mixed by Heikki Marttila.
Mastered by Jaime Gomez Arellano at Orgone Studios, Portugal.

Cover Art
Wes Benscoter (https://www.wesbenscoter.com)

Photography
Pasi Nevalaita

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Available formats
Digital download
CD Digipack
12" Vinyl (Black)
12" Colored Vinyl (Red)
12" Colored Vinyl (Purple)
12" Colored Vinyl (Crystal clear with red and blue marble)
12" Liquid-filled Vinyl (Slime yellow)

Follow Hooded Menace
Bandcamp: https://hoodedmenace.bandcamp.com/music
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hoodedmenaceofficial/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hoodedmenaceofficial/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/10mjw8SFRZjS0d8tecdEW8
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/artist/hooded-menace/364200709
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/artist/3748981
Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/artist/4754969