Bern, Switzerland-based dissonant/progressive death metal unit Sulphur Sun recently announced their upcoming EP, Placodermic Heraldry. Set for release on Friday, October 30th. It is the follow up to the group’s 2017 standalone single “Vitreous” and 2013 debut EP, Bioluminescence.
After 2017’s Vitreous single, the group’s guitarist went off to university causing this material to be in a state of flux. Luckily, ex-Nile guitarist Dallas Toler-Wade was tapped to record all the guitars and breathe deadly life into the killer compositions on Placodermic Heraldry. The stunning cover art for Placodermic Heraldry was created by Nils Mosimann, and the release was recorded in Bern, Switzerland with the assistance of David Schiess (ex-Anachronism) and Remo Häberli (Posthuman Bigbang) except for Dallas Toler-Wade’s guitar tracking which was done in the United States. Legendary music engineer Neil Kernon (Nile, Cannibal Corpse, Akercocke, Nevermore, etc.) was once again tapped to give the music the best possible production.
Diving deep thematically into the times before humankind, Placodermic Heraldry posits a question of how much the existence of a species matters as oblivion seems inevitable. Even for apex predators. The release is highly recommended for bands the group cites as influences including Annihilation of the Wicked-era Nile, Origin, Enslaved, Bolt Thrower, Pyrrhon, Artificial Brain, Intronaut, Woven Hand, and Eternal Champion.
The band partnered with Toilet Ov Hell to launch a bombastic early single, “Trilobite Thief”
You can listen to “Trilobite Thief” HERE
Toilet Ov Hell comments on the premiere of “Trilobite Thief”
“Trilobite Thief” is equal parts riff and atmosphere, interspersing sludgy open chords and thrumming bass with the sort of pummeling tremolo-driven death metal you’d expect to hear from Nile alumni. It shifts part way through to some hideous dissonant riffs, but it’s relatively simple compared to most acts bearing the “dissonant death metal” moniker, kept in check by a simple, clear drum beat. The vocals are particularly dynamic, especially for death metal, going through a wide range of screams, throat-singing, clean vocals, and spoken word. This song is an adventure, and it’s impressive how much is packed into its six-minute run time.”
Pre-order Link
https://sulphursun.bandcamp.com/album/placodermic-heraldry
Sulphur Sun – Placodermic Heraldry Tracklisting
1. The Temple of Dunkleosteus
2. Trilobite Thief
Placodermic Heraldry Line-Up
Marc Wachtfels Sulaiman – Vocals, Throatsinging, Ambient sounds
Dallas-Toller Wade – Guitar (Narcotic Wasteland, ex-Nile)
Gregor Philipp Kovats – Bass
S.U. – Drums
Social Media Links
https://www.facebook.com/sulphursun/
https://sulphursun.bandcamp.com/