Metallurgical Fire
The title track is one of the best songs I’ve ever heard. Empyrean Atrophy will be in constant rotation after missing out for five years. It’s one of the heaviest straightforward death metal albums out there, and yes the bass is exceptional. Thanks to Trav and Yoma for bringing it to my attention.
Favorite track: Empyrean Atrophy.
TRAV HART
The Burning Horizon is classic Opeth worship and I am here for it! Excited for more from Cast the Stone!
Favorite track: The Burning Horizon.
CAST THE STONE is Mark Kloeppel (Misery Index, Scour with Phil Anselmo), Derek Engemann (ex-Cattle Decapitation, Scour), Jesse Schobel (Legend, ex-Scour) and vocalist Andrew Huskey. First formations of the band began in 2002, long before its protagonists departed for their better known metal-scene mainstays. While such ties leave a clear mark, CAST THE STONE emerge not as some metal supergroup, but as a project of the original and purest intent of its membership.
Each of CAST THE STONE members is involved in writing music, and each has varying tastes. But they all seem to have one acquired taste in common: an appetite for American and Swedish death metal. On "Empyrean Atrophy", one can distinctly hear sounds similar to Dismember, Grave, At The Gates, and other proponents of the genre. There are also artisan elements one could liken to more dark and progressive Swedish acts such as Opeth, Edge Of Sanity and Dissection. Perhaps this reason alone, Dan Swanö was a clear choice for production (having produced or had been a member of some of the aforementioned bands).
Hybridizing the dark ferocity of Swedish death metal through a lens of American brutality, CAST THE STONE hits a creative stride with "Empyrean Atrophy". Guitarist Mark Kloeppel commented, "The band's sound is a testament to an enduring spirit that’s driven us to return to our most organic influences, merge them together, incorporate disparate elements, and forge our own sound. Each person has a distinct sound unto themselves, so it's really cool how smooth and cohesive this stuff comes across. You can immediately hear how different this is from the other things we've been involved in, yet it's still very true to our individual styles. Our bassist Derek progressively weaves my guitars and Jesse's uber-creative drumming style together in a way that only he can. This is all crowned off by Andy Huskey's crazy death metal vocals which are... well, just listen".
"Empyrean Atrophy" was produced by Dan Swanö (Katatonia, Merciless, Edge Of Sanity) and features cover artwork by Gary Ronaldson of Bite Radius Designs (Primordial, Kreator, Napalm Death). It includes five new, original compositions and a cover of Infestdead's "Jesusatan".
supported by 73 fans who also own “Empyrean Atrophy”
I dig this album so much, definitely a keeper. Subtly and masterfully mixing death metal subgenres, backed with an over the top production. They're true professionals. Can't wait for their next release! doive
supported by 63 fans who also own “Empyrean Atrophy”
Gaerea's first release of "Unsettling Whispers" was in 2018, and since, they dared define a "black metal" niche of their own, they dared to walk a new path and stir shit up a bit in the realm of BM, this album is a masterpiece and a milestone proving that it can be done, provided the band can pull it off, and they did, oh they did! Gloomy, dark, post-BM sludgy whatever, it's Gaerea, and this one belongs in my BC collection, the end. sachavonkarl74
supported by 60 fans who also own “Empyrean Atrophy”
never been a big death metal fan but this is actually super accessible for the genre, has fun concepts, and personally i'm always a fan of albums with short tracklists and huge runtimes (for individual songs) Great time, good jumping on point for newbies too. alienasu
supported by 59 fans who also own “Empyrean Atrophy”
I love this particular niche of modern black metal. Crisp, biting production and clear, cutting riffs. Imperialist are among the best there is right now. Brett (Lascaille's Shroud / Soulmass)