Skepticism are streaming their brand new studio album »Companion«, out now via Svart Records

Finnish funeral doom metal veterans Skepticism are streaming their brand new studio album, »Companion«, which was just released this Friday, September 24th, 2021 via Svart Records.

The band states: “Today is the day – »Companion« has now been unleashed. The release of the album is a culmination of six years of work since the previous album »Ordeal« and a milestone in the 30-year journey of the band. Fittingly the morning in Finland greets us with subtle autumn rain in the dark before dawn.

You can listen to »Companion« on your favourite streaming service. A digital copy can be purchased at Bandcamp and physical albums are available from Svart Records and distributors worldwide.

Thank You for Your support in the past and coming years with the band. Please do take a moment to listen to »Companion« today in celebration with us.”

Tracklist:
01. Calla
02. The Intertwined
03. The March Of The Four
04. Passage
05. The Inevitable
06. The Swan And The Raven

Recorded by Ville Pelkonen at Sonic Pump Studios.
Mixed by Nino Laurenne at Sonic Pump Studios.
Mastered by Svante Forsbäck at Chartmakers.

Courtesy of Freeman Promotions:

Finnish funeral doom pioneers Skepticism celebrate their 30th anniversary with the release of their sixth full length album »Companion«. Set for release on September 24, 2021 via Svart Records, »Companion« takes the listener on a journey from Skepticism’s gloomy past through to a monument of a band that has weathered their liturgy for 3 decades of mournful service.

On »Companion«, Skepticism further refine their signature sound to engulf the listener in a cavernous heavy wall of organ and guitars laid to rest under an ominous cascade of hammering drums.

»Companion« was recorded and mixed at Sonic Pump Studios with Nino Laurenne. The way Skepticism works is set in stone, like a monument, with every album recorded the same way. The base tracks are laid down with the full band playing in free tempo, feeling every beat and crushing chord together. The atmosphere at the studio helped tremendously in capturing the essence of the songs in the recording of »Companion« and one that culminated in a very unique set of songs. The band is very satisfied with the result, with even Laurenne experiencing something new in the process.

»Companion«, holds the tradition of all Skepticism albums, containing six songs which draw from the deep well of the band’s history of songwriting, as well as introducing and incorporating some new elements.

Photo by Salla Kolehmainen

On recording »Companion«, and introducing some rather unconventional techniques, engineer Nino Laurenne explains: “It took a while to get used to some of the unusual details on how the band plays and sounds. One such detail is the snare drum without the snares. Once I got used to them it became obvious that I should refrain from using some of the techniques I normally use when mixing. The drums for example retain the feel of the recorded performance very closely – and definitely have the longest reverbs I have ever used! A band with such a long history and a sound of their own is best presented in its natural form, even when it departs from common practices.”

“Skepticism vampire time away carefully, heavily and woefully. Most bands wish they were as good.” – Decibel Magazine

Skepticism is:
Matti Tilaeus – Vocals
Jani Kekarainen – Guitars
Lasse Pelkonen – Drums
Eero Pöyry – Keyboards

Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well