Today, on October 11th, W.T.C. Productions will release Sargeist’s highly anticipated fifth album, Unbound.
By now, Sargeist require no introduction. For nearly 20 years now, the band – led by erstwhile Horna guitarist / songwriter Shatraug, who’s arguably the most prolific metal musician of that same period – have been at the forefront of the ever-fertile Finnish black metal scene. In fact, alongside Horna, one could say that Sargeist are the most influential band of that scene, which has gone on to influence countless other worldwide scenes in this millennium.
And while each Sargeist full-length has been a stunning snapshot of the band’s headspace during that point in time, so, too, does the long-awaited Unbound provide a poignant portrait – one of a nearly reinvented lineup, but one just as vital. Gone is the “classic” Sargeist lineup that included longstanding co-conspirators Torog and Horns (vocals and drums, respectively). Now, a rhythm section – bassist Abysmal and drummer Gruft – who together possess a wealth of experience in the Finnish metal underground; erstwhile Nightbringer and Adaestuo guitarist VJS, whose activities also span other bands and continents; and vocalist Profundus, who’s been an incredibly prolific drummer the last couple decades, and who’s lately most renown as the vocalist for Desolate Shrine.
Despite this seemingly significant change, the Sargeist aesthetic remains resolute and unyielding – indeed, they are more Unbound than ever. Grimy yet spectral, icily melodic but burning with a desperation beyond compare, songwriting that cuts to the heart of the purest black metal but reverentially receives it blood: the Sargeist of Unbound are a band renewed and revitalized, prepared to keep the throne they’ve occupied these many years through a subtle yet studied refinement. Not for nothing has this lineup been active on the live front, and upon the release of Unbound are heading out on a European tour with esteemed labelmates Acrimonious and Chaos Invocation (dates after the jump).
Unshackle thyself with Sargeist’s Unbound! Cover art, courtesy of Chris Kiesling, and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Sargeist’s Unbound
1. Psychosis Incarnate
2. To Wander the Night’s Eternal Path
3. The Bosom of Wisdom and Madness
4. Death’s Empath
5. Hunting Eyes
6. Her Mouth is an Open Grave
7. Unbound
8. Blessing of the Fire-Bearer
9. Wake of the Compassionate
10. Grail of the Pilgrim
Unbound in Madness Tour, October 2018 – with ACRIMONIOUS and CHAOS INVOCATION
THU 11/10 Erfurt /D – From Hell [INFO]
FRI 12/10 Leiden/NL – Gebr. de Nobel [INFO]
SAT 13/10 Arnhem/NL – Willemeen [INFO]
SUN 14/10 Roeselare/B – De Verlichte Geest [INFO]
MON 15/10 Paris/F- Gibus [INFO]
TUE 16/10 Lyon/F – Rock`N Eat [INFO]
WED 17/10 Geneva/CH – Undertown [INFO]
THU 18/10 Wetzikon/CH – Hall of Fame [INFO]
FRI 19/10 Grosserlach/D – VFRR Clubhaus [INFO]
SAT 20/10 Oberhausen/D – Helvete [INFO]
SARGEIST lineup 2018:
Profundus – vocals
Shatraug – guitars
VJS – guitars
Abysmal – bass
Gruft – drums
MORE INFO:
www.facebook.com/thetruesargeist
