Göden is back, and on their latest album the sound is heavier than ever. Creator Stephen Flam is best known for his previous work with the band Winter, whose sludgy dirge earned a cult following for decades to come. Göden is the spiritual successor to Winter. One could say Celtic Frost is to Triptykon what Winter is to Göden. Their debut album, “Beyond Darkness” stood on its own in creating a distinctive world.
Now, four years later, they explore new sonic territories with their second album, “Vale of the Fallen”. While “Beyond Darkness” was a concept album that propelled listeners into space, whether inner or outer, “Vale of the Fallen” brings us back to twisted reality. Their more in-your-face approach should only intensify the experience-much like a walk through a post-apocalyptic landscape in the bleakest imaginable conditions.
Sound-wise, Stephen Flam‘s heavier-than-life riffs, Vas Kallas‘s sardonic delivery and Tony Pinnisi‘s keyboards create oppressive atmospheres atop Jason Frantz‘s powerful drumming, while in contrast Margaret Murphy’s violin weaves ghostly motifs. Like its predecessor, “Vale of the Fallen” features interludes which provide brief respites between some tracks, only to return to the crushing heaviness in yet another avalanche of sound.
New Göden single “Urania” is out on the 8th of March, and you can pre-listen it right now via Svart Record’s YouTube-channel HERE
This might be your favorite album of 2024.
PS. Svart Records is also proud to re-release Winter’s Into Darkness once more, putting the album back in print for a new generation of listeners. Into Darkness was a gateway drug to the dark depths of sludge metal, and now awaits a whole new throng of acolytes who bow down before the throne of heavy doom. Now available for pre-orders on different limited color editions, classic CD-version, and on beautiful c-cassette. Release date 17.5.2024.
8.3. Göden: Urania (digital landing page)
17.5. Göden: Vale of the Fallen LP/CD (pre-order) https://www.svartrecords.com/en/product/goden-vale-of-the-fallen/12280
17.5. Winter: Into Darkness LP/CD/MC
https://www.svartrecords.com/en/product/winter-into-darkness/12291
https://www.facebook.com/GODEN.official/