US blackened funeral doom band Usnea return with their fourth full-length album »Bathed In Light«, out now via Translation Loss Records
Portland, Oregon based blackened funeral doom band Usnea is back with their fourth full-length album, »Bathed In Light«, which was just released on May 26th, 2023 via Translation Loss Records.
Tracklist:
01. Bathed In Light
02. The Compleated Sage
03. To The Deathless
04. From Soot And Pyre
05. Premeditatio Malorum
06. Uncanny Valley
Portland, OR’s blackened doom outfit, Usnea, return after 6 years with their most accomplished work to date entitled »Bathed In Light«! Produced by Greg Wilkinson at Earhammer Studios and featuring art by vocalist/guitarist Justin Cory, »Bathed In Light« encompasses some the most impressive fusion of funeral doom, death metal and black metal all while keeping true to their core essence of old.
For fans of UN, YOB, Bell Witch, Sunrot, Mizmor, Incandescence, Innumerable Forms.
Order CDs and Vinyl here: translationloss.com/collections/usnea-collection
Usnea arose from the murky forests of Portland, OR in late 2011 from the cerebral minds of Justin Cory, Johnny Lovingood, Zeke Rogers, and Joel Williams. The quartet has proven to be a seismic level force of destructive creativity with a massive yet meditative sound, masterfully crafted songwriting, and a clear yet non-derivative influence from doom legends such as Disembowelment, My Dying Bride, Evoken, and YOB.
In February 2013 they released their eponymous debut record on Roger’s own label Orca Wolf Records. Following a 7” EP split with Germany’s Ruins, Usnea signed to Relapse Records and released »Random Cosmic Violence« in November 2014. The record’s immense presence instantly elevated Usnea to the forefront of the blossoming American doom scene. Stereogum referred to »Random Cosmic Violence« as having a “Floydian vastness that both balances and amplifies the overwhelming, crushing heaviness. Like the night sky itself, it’s full of terror and awe and ice and fire. It is a massive, monumental thing.” Usnea toured the U.S. and Europe in support of the record alongside veteran acts like Ufomammut and Inverloch and performances at notable festivals including Maryland Deathfest, Roadburn, Psycho Las Vegas, Northwest Terror Fest, Up In Smoke, and Blow Up Fest.
Usnea returned with their third full-length album, »Portals Into Futility«, in September 2017. The record was inspired by dystopian science-fiction and showcased an evolved sound of strength and dynamism merging the worlds of dissonant death metal, varied vocal structures, and cinematic composition, all while maintaining the monumental heaviness, brutality, discord, anger, and mournful melodicism of their previous work.
Over six years in the making, Usnea are back to unleash their fourth and most ambitious album, »Bathed In Light« on Translation Loss. The band has incorporated expansive death-rock and post-punk-influenced vocal explorations, massive synthesizer textures, and a wider gamut of blackened-death dynamism across the doomed landscape of this record. As the detritus of human society continues to crumble before our eyes, Usnea are back, and they are heavier, angrier, and more engaged than ever before.
Recorded and engineered by Greg Wilkinson at Earhammer Studios, Oakland, CA.
Mastered by Adam Gonsalves at Telegraph Mastering, Portland, OR.
Illustration, artwork, and layout by Justin Cory.
Usnea is:
Justin Cory – Vocals / Guitar / Synthesizer
Joel Williams – Vocals / Bass
Johnny Lovingood – Guitar
Zeke Rogers – Drums
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well