UK progressive/post-sludge/metalcore band Urzah stream debut album »The Scorching Gaze« in full ahead of its release this Friday via APF Records!
UK progressive/post-sludge/metalcore band Urzah stream their debut album »The Scorching Gaze« in full ahead of its release this Friday, May 3rd, 2024 via APF Records.
Tracklist:
01. I, Empyrean
02. Lacrimare (Misery’s Shadow)
03. Immateria Noir
04. (Interlude)
05. A Storm Is Ever Approaching
06. The Aesthetic
07. Of Decay
08. Thera I: Sea Of Flames
09. Thera II: Embers Of Descent
Courtesy of PR Trail:
APF Records’ latest signing Urzah deliver a powerful and gargantuan storm of savage riffs on their blistering debut album »The Scorching Gaze«!
Post/progressive sludge metal newcomers Urzah present their fiery debut album »The Scorching Gaze«. After only a few short years of actively recording and gigging, Urzah have set Bristol’s stacked heavy underground scene ablaze and captured the attention of Manchester’s beloved APF Records, home of Desert Storm, Goblinsmoker, The Hyena Kill, Video Nasties et al. Through a commanding and captivating album of complex and wildly fluctuating songs brimming with sharp melodies, Urzah deliver a barrage of dynamic and intricate riffs boasting influences of post-metal, sludge, metalcore and moments of pure surprise.
From the second you hit play, opening track and leading single »I, Empyrean« entices the listener and grabs them by the throat, kick starting a sprawling web of chugging guitars, soaring leads, stabbing bass and commanding powerhouse drumming. Progressive and lengthy cuts such as riff workout »Immateria Noir« sit comfortably alongside the sheer face-melting gut-punch attack »Of Decay«. »The Scorching Gaze« isn’t without brilliant and daring curveballs, including the sweetly nested ballad »The Aesthetic«, lead by contemplative clean guitars and guest vocalist Eleanor Tinlin’s expressive singing. »The Scorching Gaze« is a record guided by thought-provoking lyrics and titles, inspired strongly by both the cosmic horror writings of HP Lovecraft and more directly, the late Cormac McCarthy’s novel »The Crossing«. Akin to these works, Urzah’s songs channel a narrative of inward cerebral odyssey – life’s cycles through desolation and joy, triumph and pain, violence and beauty, as well as the permanency of choice and consequence. All of this culminates in Urzah’s grand finale, the fifteen minute two-part »Thera« suite, where the quartet go balls to the wall, slowing down to a sensational sludgy pace and confronting us with their heaviest and most crushing onslaught of all.
Photo by Naomi Jane Photography
In order to capture more density, texture and sonic space in their sound, Urzah recorded »The Scorching Gaze« with producer, engineer and Phoxjaw guitarist Josh Gallop at his own Stage 2 Studios in Bath. This has resulted in a thickened and balanced soundscape across these winding and complex songs that are always evolving and changing. The quartet have brought in key additional players into the studio space, with Eleanor Tinlin of Choir Noir (who have performed live and recorded with Bring Me The Horizon and Frank Turner) providing dreamy clean vocals, as well as cellist (and bassist of stoner metallers Froglord) Luke Clemenger to lay down sorrowful strings. Topping everything off is the vibrant cover art by the talented Indonesian gig poster and album cover illustrator Putra Satria Nugraha, expertly evoking the tapestry of layers, depths and mysteries that this album holds. »The Scorching Gaze« is a brightly ambitious and rewarding listen that reveals new layers and intricacies through repeat listens, boldly striding its maze of blistering riffs, dynamic song structures and flaming intensity.
»The Scorching Gaze« will be released on May 3rd on CD, Cassette Tape and Digital formats by APF Records.
But it from:
APF Records: apfrecords.co.uk/bands/urzah
Bandcamp: urzahband.bandcamp.com/album/the-scorching-gaze
Urzah are a forward-thinking, progressive sludge metal band, transcending boundaries with their convergence of expansive and complex rhythms, fused with heavy riff-laden passages and deeplyentwined shimmering textures. Formed and founded in 2020 – just before the pandemic hit – Urzah are a collective of seasoned musicians with diverse influences, united by their true passion for chasmic sonic exploration.
Their music chronicles a journey that melds intricacy with soaring melodies and thought-provoking lyrical content, creating an immersive experience for listeners. Drawing inspiration from a wide spectrum of genres, Urzah’s sound is not confined to a single category, as they incorporate elements of punk, crust, hardcore, sludge, doom, and even ambient and acoustic, to create a truly unique musical landscape.
First emerging with their promising 2020 self-titled demo, the band merges thick, stoner-laden riffs with catchy and thrashy, heavy doom-influenced psychedelia. Their second record, an EP titled »II«, was recorded and released in early 2022, leaning more towards the progressive, heavier side of Urzah’s creativity. »II« received rave reviews, and was featured on the Doom Charts Best EPs of 2022 list.
On only their second live show, Urzah was invited to support the mighty Bongzilla in Bristol, and have continued to support metal heavyweights such as Tuskar, Grave Lines, Ohhms, Famyne, Acid Mammoth, Nebula, Dopelord, Acid Throne and many more.
Credits:
Written, composed and performed by Urzah.
Additional vocals by Eleanor Tinlin (tracks 1, 2 & 6).
Cello arranged and performed by Luke Clemenger (tracks 6 & 8).
Recorded, mixed and mastered by Josh Gallop at Stage 2 Studios, Bath.
Cover artwork by Putra Satria Nugraha.
Art direction, layout and logo by Ed Fairman.
Urzah are:
James Brown – Drums
Ed Fairman – Vocals and Guitar
Les Grodek – Bass
Tom McElveen – Guitar
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well