Embark on a descent into the netherworld on Merrimack’s latest revelation, “Of Grace and Gravity”, the ensemble’s 6th full-length album. A haunting symphony of cosmic dissonance will be breathed into existence on March 8th, 2024, via Season of Mist.
The ensemble presents the release of their first single, “Sulphurean Synods”. An aural journey where grotesque assemblies of roosters and goats languish at the foot of heavens. Wallowing guitars and hypnotized passages of blasting drums collide with gravity-bound atoms in oblivious collusion. Merrimack, in their enigmatic mastery, expose the futility of belief in occult ministries and slashes in the mask of the sky. The listener, questioned in their faith of the shadows and occult idols.
Dare believe in the sulfurous whispers echoing through this blackened masterpiece, available for all to hear and see below.
Here’s what Merrimack have to say about the release of their first single:
“‘Sulphurean Synods’ is the opening track of our new album, ‘Of Grace and Gravity’: the two opposing forces crossing where the spine of the world emerges. Where one strives to reach the grace, the divine particle, while bounded by gravity and the weight of time. We have devoted ourselves to emphasize a more natural and authentic expression of our art, in its primitive form. For this song, D.G. (Misþyrming) has joined Vestal to mock the modern synods and their corrupted faith”.
Available Formats:
• Digital Download
• CD Digipak
• 12″ Vinyl Gatefold – Black
• 12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Transparent Clear
• 12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – White
• 12″ Coloured Vinyl Gatefold – Transparent w/ Black Splatters
Pre-order “Of Grace and Gravity” here.
Tracklist:
1. Sulphurean Synods (6:42)
2. Sublunar Despondency (7:07)
3. Dead and Distant Clamors (5:35)
4. Wounds that Heal (6:44)
5. Starving Crowns (8:05)
6. Under the Aimless Spheres (7:01)
7. Embalmer’s Wine (6:59)
Merrimack are back with their new album “Of Grace and Gravity”. Their third release for Season of Mist arrives after the re-print of their long sold-out debut “Ashes of Purification”, which followed the sizeable impact that their last album, “Omegaphilia”, had on the Black Metal Scene.
Merrimack can be categorised as extreme traditionalists that are driven by a burning desire to hone their skills and striving to bring their art to perfection. The band was founded by guitarist Perversifier a.k.a. Amfortas in 1994 with a clear vision to keep the black metal flame burning as an act of aesthetic terrorism – as adamantly based in the underground as opposed to any attempts to co-opt, commercialise or turn the style into a self-parody. Introduced by a number of demo recordings (“Prologue” – 1995, “Act 1” – 1995, “Horns Defeat Thorns” – 2001) and split releases (with Hirilorn in 1998 and Sargeist in 2002), the French gained respect in the scene by remaining true to their words.
Although Merrimack decided to reach out to a larger audience with the release of their first full-length “Ashes of Purification”, the Parisians did not sever their roots with the underground at any time. With the following albums, “Of Entropy and Life Denial” (2006) and “Grey Rigorism” (2009), Merrimack closed ranks with the most influential, active, and authentic acts of the French black metal scene. Their classic combination of harsh sound with epic structures appealed to critics and fans alike and put the band on their celebrated first US tour with Marduk and Nachtmystium in 2009.
After recording “The Acausal Mass” (2012) in the legendary Necromorbus Studio (Watain, Deströyer 666) again, Merrimack embarked on a European tour with Norwegian icons Mayhem and accepted invitations to prestigious festivals such as Hellfest in their native France, Germany’s Party-San Open Air and Summer Breeze as well as Montreal’s Messe des Morts in Canada. With their previous album, “Omegaphilia”, Merrimack were breathing fresh life into an exhausted genre. While ignoring epithets such as progressive, post-, and avant-garde, the French focused on razor-sharp songwriting, captivating melodies, and close to perfect arrangements.
The ensemble now presents their latest album “Of Grace and Gravity”, an aural journey where grotesque assemblies of roosters and goats languish at the foot of heavens. Wallowing guitars and hypnotized passages of blasting drums collide with gravity-bound atoms in oblivious occlusion. Merrimack, in their enigmatic mastery, expose the futility of belief in occult ministries and slashes at the mask of the sky. The listener, questioned in their faith of the shadows and occult idols. Dare believe in the sulfurous whispers echoing through this blackened masterpiece.
Line-up:
Perversifier – Guitars
A.K. – Guitars
Blastum – Drums
Vestal – Vocals
Daethorn – Bass
Album credits:
Recording Studio: Studio Sainte Marthe, Paris, France
Sound, Mixing & Mastering Engineer: Francis Caste
Artwork Artist: Belial Necroarts – Front cover
Opposition Artworks – Inner illustrations
Adrien Bousson – Layout
Weblinks:
www.facebook.com/merrimackofficial
www.instagram.com/merrimack666
