Following the band’s critically acclaimed latest album “Reflections”, on August 18th, 2023, will see the release of “Distortions”, the sophomore full-length album by British epic doom metallers Godthrymm, which will be coming out on Profound Lore Records.
Featuring members once involved in such luminaries as My Dying Bride, Anathema, Vallenfyre, and Solstice, the band’s upcoming album shows the Halifax-based quartet of Hamish Glencross (guitars & vocals), Catherine Glencross (keyboards & vocals), “Sasquatch” Bob Crolla (bass), and Shaun “Winter” Taylor-Steels (drums) elegantly expanding upon their sound and vision.
“Distortions” is the second part of Glencross’ Visions trilogy and throughout its seven-track, hour-long expanse, Godthrymm’s sophomore effort delves deeper into the despondent march of the band’s post-pandemic singles “Chasm” and “In Perpetuum”, the latter released exclusively on Decibel Magazine’s Decibel Flexi Series in 2022.
“I absolutely wanted to create a much more layered and complex arrangement in the sound”, says Godthrymm’s Hamish Glencross. “Totally amping up the contrasts to the extreme – the light shines brighter, and the darker depths are vast trenches. There is a lot more harmony and melancholy for much of it, but also some slab-heavy riffing, too. We wanted a total progression in the production and more class and clarity in the sound, as opposed to ‘Reflections’, which could get quite dense in tone”.
For an album centered lyrically on grief, loss, regret, resolve, love, and determination, it’s hard to imagine something inexplicably heavy yet remarkably beautiful. Producer Andy Hawkins (Hark, Grave Lines) was the perfect man for the job, as Glencross reveals:
“I wanted the production to match the care and attention put into the writing of the music, I think we’ve achieved that with Andy. The guitar tones are more amp driven than pedal-driven. It simultaneously sounds huge, but there’s space in there too. Nothing is fighting for space, which I think happened somewhat with the last album, which got a bit too dense. This album has clarity as well as weight. I was incredibly amazed by everyone’s dedication and hard work in turning in such wonderful performances. I am incredibly lucky to be working with such wonderful people”.
“Distortions” was recorded between The Nave Music Studio, Sasquatch Music Studio, and The Glencross Residence at various points in 2022. Mixed by Andy Hawkins (Hark, Grave Lines). Produced by Andy Hawkins and Hamish Glencross. The album was mastered by Mark Midgley (Doom, Hellkrusher) at Northern Mastering Company. Artwork by Andy Green (My Dying Bride).
“Distortions” will be coming out August 18th, 2023, via Profound Lore Records and is now available for pre-order here.
Tracklist:
01. As Titans
02. Devils
03. Echoes
04. Obsess and Regress
05. Unseen, Unheard (feat. Scoot Gladok)
06. Follow Me (feat. Aaron Stainthorpe)
07. Pictures Remain
For a band that formed in 2017, Godthrymm are on an impressive run. Not only have they proven to be a formidable live act – invites to Bloodstock Open Air, In Flammen Open Air, and Tomorrow’s Ghost Festival are but the beginning – but the group’s prolific output of three EPs, two singles, and two full-length albums have also repositioned England as the epicenter of high-quality, epic-sounding doom metal.
“I hope we continue to evolve and progress”, Glencross says. “The sound is decidedly more complete [on Distortions] than the previous incarnations, which are quite primitive. I hope people connect with the passion and love we have put in. The themes are universal and eternal. I’m very grateful and touched any time anyone appreciates our work”.
Listen to the first album single, “Echoes”, below.
Line-up:
Hamish Glencross – Guitars/vocals
Catherine Glencross – Keyboards/vocals
“Sasquatch” Bob Crolla – Bass
Shaun “Winter” Taylor-Steels – Drums
Al Kotwal – Live guitar
Weblinks:
godthrymm.com
www.facebook.com/godthrymm
