On Thorns I Lay are Greek titans. The band came up through the underground during the early ’90s, in the wake of Nightfall, Septicflesh and Rotting Christ. But while those bands were swayed more by symphonic and black metal, these Athenians developed a taste for the gothic. Which makes sense. After all, they are named after a Shakespearean sonnet.
Now, 30 years and ten albums later, On Thorns I Lay have signed with Season of Mist. It’s fitting then that their first offering for the label is a self-titled album. The lead single epitomizes the way this band conducts death and doom metal into an atmospheric thunder storm. A pale wan of keyboard casts a brooding shadow, while riffs reign down like lighting bolts.
But “Newborn Skies” reaches even greater new heights. The melodic leads just keep on climbing, until they ascend into a heavenly choir. “This song is talking about this critical moment in life when you need to reconsider, reanimate and restart in order to keep going and follow your dreams”, the band says. “No matter how dark the ride has been, no matter how difficult and obscure, you have to make the final decision. You still have your fate in your hands”.
‘On Thorns I Lay’ is out October 13. Pre-save the album HERE. Pre-order it HERE.
|
