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Australian veteran darkgaze/depressive black metal duo Austere has revealed "Faded Ghost" as the first single from its forthcoming fourth full-length, Beneath The Threshold, set for release on 5 April via Lupus Lounge.
Austere's guitarist and singer Mitchell Keepin comments on behalf of the duo: "Initially, 'Faded Ghost' was written as a 'breather' for the record, but while we were working at the details during its creation, the song evolved into what we now consider to be the second part of 'Just For A Moment...' - an older song of ours. The material featured on Beneath The Threshold was always meant to be more riff-based and driving, while we were also determined to keep our multi-layered guitar and keyboard parts. In order to retain the feel of an open, atmospheric song, we structured 'Faded Ghost' in more or less the same manner as 'Just For A Moment...'. Once again, we employed clean vocals and additional harmonies for the entire track. Lyrically, we are delving into an obscure and dark subject, with all personal elements seemingly removed. You are invited to speculate what it's about".
Beneath The Threshold represents Austere in the here and now. With their fourth full-length, the Australians have taken a long step into the present and embraced their musical future in a way that might have been expected after a 13-year hiatus.
When its voluntary break ended with the release of Corrosion Of Hearts in 2023, the duo consisting of Mitchell Keepin and Tim Yatras returned with a more mature and defined version of their own particular style of black metal, which reflected both their greater experience and evolution as artists. Both musicians had been active in other bands during the hiatus of Austere.
While Corrosion Of Hearts formed the bridge between the band's musical history and the artists' fresh vision, Beneath The Threshold takes a leap of expression. Austere's sonic heritage is still alive. Even though their roots in early Norse black metal and its depressive Scandinavian offspring continue to shine through, it is also apparent that the Australians have audibly strengthened their emotional expressiveness and previous blackgaze leanings beyond the point where a stylistic shift towards the latter needs to be diagnosed.
On Beneath The Threshold, Austere offers more hooks and melodic harmonies to complement the multi-layered, harsh and dreamlike guitar textures expertly woven by Keepin with the aid of Yatras' emotive drumming. This development is emphasised by a suitable production that lets each of the elements shine and does not try to blur the riffs.
For Austere, the stars under the Southern Cross have newly aligned and the harsh majestic beauty of Beneath The Threshold calls out to everyone to raise their eyes up to the night sky around the globe and behold the finally unleashed Australian band in its full musical glory.
"Faded Ghost"... Link
Beneath The Threshold tracklist:
1. Thrall
2. The Sunset of Life
3. Faded Ghost
4. Cold Cerecloth
5. Words Unspoken
6. Of Severance
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