Fast forward to 2017 and Akercocke’s ongoing return to active service has reached its first invigorating climax. 2016 saw frontman and vocalist Jason Mendonca reconvening with drummer David Gray and returning original second guitarist Paul Scanlan to reignite the flames that first drove this band to deftly redefine an entire genre. This was deftly followed by a triumphant live return at Bloodstock festival in August 2016.
Collectively buoyed by a renewed sense of purpose, the band reunited with former home Peaceville Records, to unleash their sixth full-length release – Renaissance In Extremis – mixed by legendary studio guru Neil Kernon [Nile/Deicide/Thin Lizzy/Yes] & mastered in NYC by Alan Douches [Death, Misfits, CroMags] at West West Side Music, Renaissance In Extremis is nothing short of a new dawn for these most eccentric of extremists.
On returning to the Peaceville family, founding member and drummer David Gray comments “Akercocke are proud and privileged to be returning to Peaceville Records this year for our new album, our first release for ten years. Peaceville unleashed the band on the wider metal community and were responsible for laying the foundations of our two-decade history. Therefore, it is wholly appropriate that they assist us once again in our mission to pursue quality progressive death metal to the masses!”
A comprehensive reinvention and expansion of the band’s multifarious sound, Renaissance In Extremis delivers euphoric force and mind-boggling weirdness. There are scything thrash and death metal riffs in abundance, plus warped but elegant melodies and clouds of ugly dissonance; moments of unsettling calm and quiet. Renaissance In Extremis is a bold, bullish and belligerent statement of creative intent: metal’s dark spirit reborn in an explosion of bright ideas and inspirational fury.
Akercocke’s first track from the album, “Disappear”, is introduced by Jason Mendonca: “Disappear gives a summary insight of all that follows on Renaissance in Extremis. It contains all of the classic Akercocke hallmarks, yet aptly represents the bands development in intent, style and delivery.”
