Today Blackbriar announce their new studio album “A Dark Euphony”, which will be released on September 29th, 2023, via Nuclear Blast Records. “A Dark Euphony” features 11 brand new tracks.
Alongside the album, Blackbriar also release a brand new video for the new song “Cicada”.
Zora Cock comments:
“It’s said that cicadas were once humans. When the Muses came into the world, they enchanted some people into singing, they loved singing so much, they forgot to eat and sleep and died. The Muses rewarded them by turning them into cicadas who sing continuously. In this song, I ask my muse to turn me into a cicada after I’m gone”.
Watch the official video for the new single “Cicada” below.
“Some say that there is beauty in darkness – terrifying visitors, worlds far gone, gothic romances, bone-chilling legends, sin-eaters, burning hearts frozen in time, songs with a misleading voice, and a truthful whisper. This and so much more for you to discover on ‘A Dark Euphony’”, says vocalist Zora Cock.
Such are the words of vocalist Zora Cock about the band’s upcoming sophomore album, set for release in autumn 2023 on Nuclear Blast Records. A telling sign coming from a band who has reveled in gothic beauty and metallic darkness since their onset, spanning three EPs and a full-length album, along with long-time collaborator Joost van den Broek.
Pre-order & pre-save “A Dark Euphony” here.
Tracklist:
1. An Unwelcome Guest
2. Far Distant Land
3. Spirit of Forgetfulness
4. Bloody Footprints in the Snow
5. The Evergreen and The Weeping Tree
6. Cicada
7. My Soul’s Demise
8. We Make Mist
9. Thumbelina
10. Forever and a Day
11. Crimson Faces
Formed in 2012, Blackbriar crafted their first single in 2014 – “Ready to Kill”, but it was 2015’s second single “Until Eternity” that truly propelled the band into the limelight, with now over 18.1 million views since its debut. Taking advantage of the growing buzz surrounding them, they independently recorded and released their first EP, “Fractured Fairytales”, which laid down an impressive foundation for the band’s ethereal, breath-taking sound, and brought about new opportunities, including EU tour dates alongside Epica, Halestorm, In This Moment, Delain and MAYAN. The band crowdfunded their follow-up EP, “We’d Rather Burn” in 2018. It would be the first time they worked alongside esteemed producer Joost van den Broek, and this collaboration allowed Blackbriar’s whimsical and enigmatic sound to reach new sonic heights. The EP showcased a stronger sense of dreamy atmosphere and brought listeners beautifully grim tales of witches, banshees, and sea sirens.
In 2019 the band released haunting single “Snow White and Rose Red”, their take on the Grimm’s fairy tales. Continuing to dig deeper into fairy tale realms, Blackbriar closed the year with their third EP, “Our Mortal Remains”, followed up by further touring with Epica and Delain. Championing their continued independence, which included everything from song-writing, overseeing merch, as well as shooting and producing their own videos and photos, Blackbriar reached out to their ever-growing and loyal fanbase for assistance to make their full-length debut album a reality in 2020. Fans heeded the call, reaching the €25,000 goal in under 24 hours, ending with a total of €70,000. It was an impressive accomplishment for an independent act, which shows their strong internet presence, with over 214,000 YouTube subscribers and 46.1 million channel views, as well as 27.6 million Spotify streams and 150,000 monthly listeners.
Entering 2021, the band relinquished a bit of control in signing with Doomstar Bookings to help support their first full-length album, “The Cause of Shipwreck”. It was recorded with Joost van den Broek (Epica, Ayreon, Powerwolf), and the release showcased the band’s continued evolution into masterfully dark gothic storytelling and theatrical aesthetics. On the live front, the band launched the record with six sold-out Dutch club shows, before further EU mainland dates.
With their vision looking firmly into the future, and a major label behind them, Blackbriar have set their sights on 2023 to conjure their most deadly siren song yet. With accolades behind them, such as being nominated three times for ‘Best Artist’ in the EuroSonic/Noorderslag’s Popgala Noord Awards (2018, 2020, 2022), and continued fan support, with current monthly streaming totals on YouTube and Spotify nearing 1 million streams, the world is primed and ready for a spectacular journey ahead.
Line-up:
Zora Cock – Vocals
René Boxem – Drums
Bart Winters – Guitars
Robin Koezen – Guitars
Siebe Sol Sijpkens – Bass
Ruben Wijga – Keys
Weblinks:
www.blackbriarmusic.com
www.facebook.com/blackbriarmusic
