A bold new chapter in progressive death metal unfolds with the unveiling of “Abyss”, the leading single from Changeling’s forthcoming album set to be released in April 2025. This auditory journey invites listeners to the deepest recesses of the subconscious where the boundaries of reality blend with the infinite possibilities of the imagination.
Tom “Fountainhead” Geldschläger’s illustrious career, crowned by collaborations with globally recognized bands like Obscura, as well as touring-duties for the likes of Defeated Sanity or Belphegor, have firmly established him as a modern-day guitar legend. Through his genre-defying compositions and fearless artistic vision, Tom has continually broken barriers in the music world. His profound contributions to over a hundred releases, combined with his pioneering work in spatial audio, underscore his exceptional talent and enduring influence in progressive and extreme metal.
Changeling stands at the confluence of audacious innovation and intricate artistry, a place where the fretless guitar converses effortlessly with progressive rhythms, and death metal waltzes with a 50-piece orchestral ensemble. Conceived by the virtuoso Tom Geldschläger, also known as Fountainhead, Changeling is a project that defies categorization and transcends the ordinary confines of genre.
“Abyss”, the album’s sixth track, encapsulates the ultimate immersion into the subconscious, where György Ligeti-inspired microtonal choir arrangements and an orchestration that defies gravity meld into an experience of ego-death and transcendence. Composed with meticulous precision to move up and down in quartertones, the track features the talents of Tom Fountainhead, Morean’s haunting vocals, Arran McSporran’s evocative fretless bass and Mike Heller’s relentless drumming.
This single serves as both a mirror and a gateway — a reflection of individual introspection and a passage to the hitherto uncharted dimensions of sonic exploration. “Abyss” is the culmination of years-long evolution, embodying the spirit of pushing musical boundaries while grounded in the timeless virtues of craftsmanship and authenticity.
Proven real through organic performances and unblemished by studio trickery, Changeling’s rhythm and resonance invite ears and minds to explore the echoes of an otherworldly dream.
Watch the music video for “Abyss”, created by Chris Hesse / Strangeworks, below.
“Changeling” is out on April 25th, 2025, via Season of Mist.
Available Formats:
• Digital Download
• CD Digipak
• 2×12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Crystal Clear w/ Red Splatters
• 2×12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – White w/ Red Splatters
Pre-order & pre-save “Changeling” here.
Tracklist:
1. Introject (1:56)
2. Instant Results (4:33)
3. Falling in Circles (3:47)
4. World? What World? (6:43)
5. Metanoia Interlude (00:57)
6. Changeling (6:57)
7. Abyss (8:06)
8. Cathexis Interlude (1:19)
9. Abdication (9:05)
10. Anathema (16:51)
Fountainhead, the musical alter-ego of Berlin-based musician Tom Geldschläger, is a celebrated figure across diverse music landscapes. Known for his expansive involvement in the music industry, Tom has contributed to over a hundred releases in capacities ranging from guitarist to orchestrator, producer to mixing/mastering engineer, and occasionally even as an oud-player. He has worked with globally recognized artists such as Obscura, Belphegor, Marco Minnemann, Defeated Sanity, Amogh Symphony, Hannes Grossmann, Voodoogods, Christian Münzner, Nader Sadek and more. Featured in numerous international music magazines, authored several books of non-fiction and musical notation, Tom has also been instrumental in integrating the fretless guitar into extreme metal genres.
Acclaimed as a “modern-day guitar legend”, Tom’s signature playing style and adventurous genre-defying compositions highlight his fearless approach to music. His endorsements include prestigious brands like Aristides Guitars, Elixir Strings, and Bare Knuckle Pickups. Additionally, Tom is a sought-after clinician and speaker, focusing on creativity, music production, and musician’s mental health, as well as being at the forefront of spatial audio and 360-degree audio production.
In a significant development in early 2024, Fountainhead, now branded under the name Changeling for his new project and album, signed with the label Season of Mist. This venture marks a new chapter in Tom’s career, amplifying his visionary approach to music. Accompanied by an all-star band featuring members from Fear Factory, Alkaloid, and Virvum, the project Changeling showcases a 60-minute concept album that takes all aspects of Tom’s artistry to new heights.
The album, sharing its name with the project, blends progressive metal, death metal, jazz/fusion, and world music, enriched with complex orchestrations by a 50-piece ensemble of guest musicians. It includes the eagerly anticipated “Part 2” to his renowned composition “Weltseele”, an orchestral metal epic from Obscura’s billboard-chart-entering “Akroasis” album, which broadly introduced Fountainhead to the metal community in 2016.
Core Lineup:
Tom Fountainhead (ex-Obscura, Amogh Symphony, Belphegor, Defeated Sanity) – Fretted & fretless electric & acoustic guitars, oud, keyboards, composition and arrangements
Mike Heller (Fear Factory, Malignancy, Raven) – Drums
Arran McSporran (Vipassi, Virvum) – Fretless bass
Morean (Alkaloid, Dark Fortress) – Lead vocals & lyrics
Guest Musicians:
Bill Hudson (Trans-siberian Orchestra, Doro, I am Morbid) – Guest guitar solo
Jason Gobel (ex-Cynic, ex-Monstrosity)- Guest guitar solo
Andy Laroque (ex-Death, King Diamond) – Guest guitar solo
Yatziv Caspi (ex-Orphaned Land) – Tabla, hangdrum, dabouka, riq & shakers
Ally Storch (Subway To Sally)- Violins, viola & cello
James Dorton (The Faceless, NeObliviscaris, Black Crown Initate) – Spoken words
Alexander Kerski (Vianova)- Backing & harmony vocals
Matthias Alexander Preisinger – Piano and glockenspiel, violins & viola
Martin Matiasovic – Horns & Wagnerian Tube
Jan Ferdinand – Vibraphone & marimba
Chris Rützel – Flutes
Ivar Ludvig Nitzler – Cello
Shiho Murano – Tuba
Juliane Erding – Wagnerian tube & horn
Eduard Cortez – Wagnerian tube & horn
Tillmann Schulz – Wagnerian tube & horn
Ava Bonam – Female vocals
Moran Magal – Piano
Cydney McQuillan-Grace, Lauren Gill, Shannon Bedford, Sara Robalo; Tenor and Bari – Ben Francis, John Schaffer, Alice Williams, Cyd McQuillan-Grace; Alto – Lauren Gill, Sara Robalo; Tenor and Bass – James Schouten & John Schaffer – Choir vocals
Krassimir Jossifov – Trumpet
Brandt Attema – Trombones & bass trombones
Kristian Petkov – Bassoon
Stefan Prost – Church organ
Seonghyeon Park – Clarinet
Arnfried Falk – Oboe
Rouven Haliti – Upright bass
Dalai Cellai – Cello
Recording Studio:
FountainheadHQ, Hellersounds, Saforill, Klanghafen, Landesmusikakademie Berlin, Musikhochschule Carl-Maria-Von-Weber, Muziek Studio Beeld, Sonictrain.
Production Credits:
Produced & Engineered by Tom Fountainhead.
Mixed by Tom Fountainhead at FountainheadHQ.
Mastered by Leon Schmidt at his home studio & FountainheadHQ.
Cover Art:
Aaron Pinto (Gutslit) / KidSquidy
Photography:
Aaron Pinto (Gutslit) / KidSquidy
Weblinks:
www.instagram.com/changeling.official
changelingofficial.bandcamp.com
