CARNWENNAN: Decibel Magazine Premieres Entrancing âIIIâ Video From Albany, New York-Based Sludge/Doom Metal Quartet; Debut LP, Lotus, Nears May 31st Release On Darkest Records

April 29, 2024 Infrared Magazine Uncategorized Comments Off

ââ¦depressing, slow chords and equally-paced drumming, with dreary melodiesâ¦â â Decibel Magazine

Decibel Magazine is hosting the exclusive public premiere of âIII,â the mammoth centerpiece track from Albany, New York-based sludge/doom metal quartet CARNWENNAN and their debut LP, Lotus. The single arrives in the form of an epic video for the song as the album nears late May release through Darkest Records, the label formed by members of fellow Hudson Valley sludge stalwarts Hush.

CARNWENNANâs forthcoming debut album, Lotus plays as one continuous track subdivided into four movements, an album created with great restraint and tension, resulting in a slow-motion, seamless evolution. The wooded surroundings of the bandâs upstate surroundings indisputably influence the lush, organic sounds of growth and decay, life and demise, themes which are exemplified in the lyrical and visual delivery of the album. Fans of Earth, Khanate, Hush, Om, Bell Witch, Primitive Man, Conan, and Old Man Gloom should not ignore CARNWENNANâs Lotus.

Recorded by Ryan Slowey at the Darkest Records headquarters outside of Hudson, New York, Lotus was mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege (Locrian, Iron Monkey, Mournful Congregation).

Directed by award-winning actor and film director Cam Damage, the entrancing new video for âIIIâ unfolds like a short art film, its captivating footage merging metamorphoses of nature, and the darkness of man.

CARNWENNANâs vocalist/guitarist Jack Jackal reveals, âLotus is about an age of suffering, broken up into four parts â âIIIâ is about endurance and acceptance, and the video we made is meant to drive that idea home. Working on the video was a blast but was in itself a lesson in endurance and acceptance since we were working on it out in the woods through an unpredictable Northeastern Winter.â

Decibel writes, âThings start slowly, with depressing, slow chords and equally-paced drumming, with dreary melodies reminiscent of Bell Witch and their ilk. The song picks up in intensity around the halfway mark, with harsh, yell-screamed vocals entering the mix and the music developing a sharper, harder edge. Itâs paired nicely with the accompanying video, which uses the beautiful landscape of the northeast to tell a story about captivity.â

**Immerse yourself in the video for CARNWENNANâs Lotus movement âIIIâ now playing at Decibel Magazine RIGHT HERE.**

Darkest Records will release Lotus on LP and digital formats on May 31st. Preorders can be placed at Bandcamp HERE.

CARNWENNAN is booking shows throughout the Northeast surrounding the release of Lotus, with more widespread touring in the works for later in the year. See all currently confirmed shows below and watch for updates to post throughout the coming months, including a release show for the LP.

CARNWENNAN Live:
5/04/2024 Culture Club â New Milford, CT w/ Afghan Haze, Cadmium,Â Bajzelle
6/01/2024 Empire Underground â Albany, NY w/ Intrusive, Misery Machine
6/09/2024 Collar City Mushrooms â Troy, NY w/ Radiation Blackbody, Compress
6/08/2024 No Fun â Troy, NY w/ Horse Grave, Flatwounds, King Mob

Born out of sorrowful introspection, CARNWENNAN seeks to put forth a relentless dirge of misery by combining their wall of sound with projected images of woe and suffering. Formed in 2020 as a means of escape for its members, CARNWENNANâs droning despair coagulated into a four-piece act of meditative penance by pulling together members of the local hardcore and metal scenes influenced by bands like Earth, Sunn O))), Primitive Man, and Sleep.

CARNWENNANâs bassist, Alex Waters, is an acclaimed painter and created the album’s cover art. Vocalist/guitarist, Jack Jackal, also does design work for many underground artists and curates Castle Jackal Magazine, contributed artwork to the album layout. Amps and pedalsÂ used on the album were conceived and built by lead guitarist Alexandria Ashpond. Since recording the album, the bandâs original drummer James Leshkevich has left and been replaced by former drummer of The Acacia Strain, Kevin Boutot.