photos by Ben Schauland
“…the twists and turns within will likely appeal to fans of Neurosis who want a little Conan energy thrown in for good measure.” – Everything Is Noise
Everything Is Noise presents an exclusive stream of From Dark Dimensions An Unspeakable Presence Awakens, the decimating second LP by Seattle-based blackened sludge metal henchmen STRICKEN, preceding the album’s release this Friday on Horror Pain Gore Death Productions.
From Dark Dimensions An Unspeakable Presence Awakens was recorded by STRICKEN – engineered by guitarist Nick Charlton and mixed by drummer Chris Wozniak – with mastering handled by James Plotkin at Plotkinworks (Khanate, Earth, Amarok) and the artwork was created by visual artist Tom Denney (Black Cobra, Soilent Green, Weedeater).
Charlton writes, “We are excited to release this album. It’s been a long, grueling process of writing, rehearsing, recording, and producing to get here. We have had some great partners in the process. Many thanks to all of them, to the bands we’ve played with, everyone who has come to our shows, and everyone who has listened to our recordings. We look forward to meeting new fans and spreading our brand of dark art.”
Wozniak adds, “I’m very proud of our first album, but this second offering is another level for us. We were still in the process of finding our identity and sound on the last album, but I think we have officially found it here. The tones and songwriting are much more consistent but still remain true to our desire to create songs that feel like a journey into the unknown and invite the listener to be an active participant rather than a passive consumer. It’s not a concept album, but we hope that listeners will enjoy this entire album as if it were.”
With their advance stream of the record, Everything Is Noise writes in part, “The journey Wozniak speaks of is clear from the opening track and single ‘Dust From The Grave,’ which gives listeners a taste of what’s to come on this massive record. A lone guitar riff sails high above driving tom drums before the groove truly sets in; the complex composition of this track and the twists and turns within will likely appeal to fans of Neurosis who want a little Conan energy thrown in for good measure.
“‘Touch Of Corruption’ harkens back to more traditional genre elements, with blastbeats and vocals reminiscent of High On Fire or Sandrider‘s retro flair. STRICKEN take this approach throughout From Dark Dimensions…, blending throwback inspiration with contemporary production and instrumentation.”
Behold the merciless assault of STRICKEN’s From Dark Dimensions An Unspeakable Presence Awakens early via Everything Is Noise RIGHT HERE.
From Dark Dimensions An Unspeakable Presence Awakens will be released on CD and digital platforms this Friday, November 6th. Find physical copies and merch at Horror Pain Gore Death Productions HERE, digital preorders HERE, and digital presaves HERE. Also watch the “Darkness Impenetrable” video HERE and “Dust From The Grave” visualizer HERE.
STRICKEN is plotting regional tour dates for the months ahead in support of the record and is already working on new music.
Born from a nightmare and forged in suffering, every STRICKEN song will challenge you as a listener and doom you to be forever separated from your notions of genre. This unholy trio began as a duo, with bassist/vocalist Rob Ropkins (ex-Deadly Light, Pipefitter, North American Bison, Pinned Red) and guitarist Nick Charlton collaborating on raw, sludge-laden riffage. Chris Wozniak (Lair Of The Minotaur, Earthen Grave, I Klatus) brought his drum kit into the fold in 2017, after moving to Seattle and responding to a Craigslist ad that cited influences including Celtic Frost, Coffins, and Autopsy. Within a year, STRICKEN recorded a demo in Woz’s garage and began playing regional shows, and in 2022 they created the seven-song album From A Well Of Emptiness, A Stygian Serpent Born, recorded by friend and local engineer Tom Thew and released on Horror Pain Gore Death.
But now, STRICKEN presents five new, epic, true-to-form songs that take their attack to the next level of depravity on From Dark Dimensions An Unspeakable Presence Awakens. Delivering another monstrous dose of darkness and despair with ferocity and an experimental alchemy of styles, the album explores concepts of the dark subconscious, self-destruction, unspeakable horror, existential dread, and nihilism. Continuing to push boundaries faster than before, dynamically shifting to intensely crushing and oppressive, and showing up with deep groove and experimental arrangements, From Dark Dimensions An Unspeakable Presence Awakens is a simply decimating audio document. A bullseye choice for devotees to the works of Neurosis, Inter Arma, Yob, Conan, Celtic Frost, Triptykon, Craft, and High On Fire.
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The post STRICKEN: Everything Is Noise Streams From Dark Dimensions An Unspeakable Presence Awakens LP By Blackened Sludge Trio; Album Drops This Friday On Horror Pain Gore Death Productions first appeared on Earsplit Compound.