Svart Records has set an August 24 release date for "Symphony Of
Shadows", the first-ever set of all-new material by BEDEMON, the band
regarded by many as the original true U.S. doom band.
Inspired by
the goriest of fright films and the most menacing of music at the time,
guitarist/composer/journalist/author Randy Palmer churned out the very
first doom songs written on North American soil. This understated
innovator recruited the help of his bandmates, PENTAGRAM co-founders
Geof O'Keefe (drums) and Bobby Liebling (vocals) as well as schoolmate
Mike Matthews (bass). Throughout the 1970s, the band recorded numerous
sinister, doom-drenched slabs of metallic gold — BLACK SABBATH were
Palmer's idols — that illegally floated around on sub-standard bootlegs
for decades. Finally, in 2004 to much fanfare, these rough,
never-intended-for-public recordings were collected, repaired, and
released as "Child Of Darkness: From The Original Master Tapes".
Since
then, BEDEMON has seen a surge in popularity due to their intertwined
history with the original PENTAGRAM, in addition to their music being
featured in the critically acclaimed award-winning documentary, "Last
Days Here" (Sundance Selects/914 Pictures), chronicling the life and
times of PENTAGRAM and original BEDEMON vocalist Bobby Liebling.
Literally
a decade in the making, BEDEMON now proudly issues their sophomore
release, "Symphony Of Shadows". Shortly after completing recording of
the basic rhythm tracks in April 2002, band founder Randy Palmer was
involved in a tragic car accident and passed away in August of that
year. O'Keefe, Matthews, and new vocalist Craig Junghandel worked with
recording engineer Shawn Hafley over the next decade to finish the
project both in tribute to Randy and also because they felt so
passionately about the strength of the material; the result is nine
bone-crushingly heavy slices of pure '70s-flavored doom metal.
Clocking
in at just under 60 minutes, "Symphony Of Shadows" will be released as
both a single CD and deluxe 2-LP vinyl set, chock-full of photos,
lyrics, liner notes, and intimate stories from the surviving members of
this very special band.
Of the album, drummer/guitarist/composer
Geof O'Keefe says, "This is dedicated to Randy. His songwriting is so
far advanced beyond the 'Child Of Darkness' material. The album sounds
like a classic '70s metal release, which is very intentional!'
Svart
Records president Tomi Pulkki heard the album and knew it was perfect
for Svart, saying, "As a label that is perhaps best known for releasing
PENTAGRAM and REVEREND BIZARRE on vinyl, I didn't think twice when the
chance to work with BEDEMON was offered. We're happy to help bring their
final opus to the world."
"Symphony Of Shadows" track listing:
01. Saviour
02. Lord of Desolation
03. Son of Darkness
04. The Plague
05. D.E.D.
06. Kill You Now
07. Godless
08. Hopeless
09. Eternally Unhuman
Source: Doommantia.com
