The melodic blackened death metal band Symphony of Heaven has announced the release of their sophomore album, "Maniacal Entropik Discordium", an album written over the course of several years. Lyrically, the themes constructed by PATHOS, the founding member of the band as well as the vocalist/guitarist, had been written far back in 2017, when the band had begun and following the recording and release of the debut, "The Season of Death" (Nosral Recordings, 2017).
The album's themes create a sense of soul-purging agony, deep-cut betrayal, and visceral funereally, with an ultimate sense of peace and redemption. "When we were recording the album, all of us were in difficult places at different times. The album took quite a bit of time to record and at different times, we were in different situations. Ultimately, we all struggled with a form of loss in our own lives." The band's drummer, ASAPH, stated. "A fair amount of depression fell on us during those times, especially PATHOS and I. But overall, we persevered and took our suffering and turned it into something we are proud of."
The 80-minute album showcases the growth the band has made since their prior release in "The Ascension of Extinction" (Rottweiler Records, 2020). With ASAPH's official debut with the band, a flood of new styles fell into place. The album, musically drawing influence from Hypocrisy, Ensiferum, Death, Living Sacrifice, Wolfheart, Slayer, A Hill to Die Upon, and Sepultura, contains a mixture of beautiful melody and intense brutality, further hammering away the lyrical topics.
The depressing aspect of the lyrical themes eventually take a turn towards the latter half of the album, with a sense of hope. Even throughout the struggles each member was beholden to, they made peace with each situation or forgave the offender and moved on. The hope comes from each member's personal faith in Christianity, a decision that influences their lyrics and their music. The final track of the album, "Obtaining Tranquility" was written by ASAPH and PATHOS, to bring a hopeful and positive message to the overwhelming themes of the album. The album shows that in this unfair life, you can always find hope, if you choose to search for it.
"Maniacal Entropik Discordium" pays tribute to the bands who have come before and for those the band has lost along the way. An example of paying tribute to the bands before would include a cover of Death's "Flesh and the Power It Holds" off of "The Sound of Perseverance" (Nuclear Blast, 1998).
"Maniacal Entropik Discordium" premieres on December 17th, 2021, via Rottweiler Records and will be available on all digital platforms, with a physical release through pre-order.
1.SoulRetch
2.Light Upon The Pillars
3.To Gaze Upon Destruction
4.Entropy
5.Dead Winter Fields
6.The Darkest Nights
7.The Grieving
8.The Arch Of Time
9.Verge Of Annihilation
10.Obtaining Tranquility
11.Amid The Righteous Oaks
12.Flesh and The Power it Holds(Death Cover)
