Words by Bradley Zorgdrager
Aussie tech death band Freedom of Fear have unleashed the title track of upcoming sophomore LP Carpathia.
The group tapped genre legend Hannes Grossmann (Alkaloid, ex-Necrophagist, ex-Obscura) for session drums on the album. If this track and previous single “Zenith” are any indication, Freedom of Fear have done the opposite of tarnishing Grossmann’s bullet-proof discography, instead adding something fresh yet familiar.
The Adelaide band do a great job of paying homage to the golden era of technical death metal; check out the solo, which effectively switches feel mid-way and never loses the listener despite a nearly 1.5-minute rip-time! However, the Blackened flourishes fill out the sound, adding a haunting atmosphere tech death rarely embraces. This was by design, as the band explain the convergence of the musical style, lyrics and accompanying video.
“A Gothic-inspired death metal piece incorporating synth, choirs, and shred guitar. Lyrically it focuses on a vampire cult who perform an ancient ritual to obscure the sun, achieving eternal night and thus domination over humanity. The spoken word sections are largely influenced by Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
“Shot and edited by Colin Jeffs of Ten of Swords Media, the Carpathia music video is largely inspired by the Gothic / vampiric nature of the song’s lyrics and atmosphere. Filmed in Victorian-era ruins in the Adelaide Hills, it features the band in special effects makeup and vocalist Jade as Mina Harker.”
Close your blinds and feast on the offering below.
Carpathia is out October 21 via EVP Recordings. It can be pre-ordered on vinyl and CD here.
