BARREN - Unveils Second Single From Approaching Debut Full-Length

Details: Written by: Jerneja; Created: 21 October 2024

The USA-based blackened death/doom outfit Barren has unveiled the second single, "L'appel du Vide (feat. Peter Hraur)", from its debut full-length, The Hanged Man, set to drop on 31 October via Skull House Records.

"L'appel du Vide" dives deep into dark, introspective themes, building on a haunting atmosphere established in Barren's debut track, "Unheard". Opening with a chilling excerpt from the AA Big Book, the song begins with a slow, deliberate snare march before spiralling into a heavy, disorienting sonic abyss. The track crescendos with a frenzied guitar solo, carrying listeners to the edge of the void before leaving them in the darkness. This dynamic progression captures the band's signature blend of crushing riffs, atmospheric soundscapes, and emotional depth, further defining its unique approach to doom and death metal.

Lyrically, "L'appel du Vide" explores the phenomenon known as "The call of the void", a sudden, inexplicable urge to leap into the unknown. The frontman, Andrew Campbell, draws from a deeply personal experience, recounting a moment from his childhood when he stood on the roof of the Comcast building in Philadelphia and felt an overwhelming desire to jump. This moment of raw, unfiltered emotion has lingered with him, inspiring the existential themes of "L'appel du Vide." The track delves into the unsettling allure of "nothingness" and the mystery of what lies beyond, themes that resonate throughout the entire album.

The Hanged Man is a concept album that explores the devastating effects of addiction and the descent into despair. Through a series of five tracks, Barren captures the emotional highs and lows of addiction, from the initial spiral into substance abuse to moments of hopelessness and, ultimately, the crushing weight of isolation. Each album's track tells a different part of this story, with Campbell's deeply personal lyrics anchoring the album in real-life struggles. Barren's sound pushes the boundaries of doom and death metal while maintaining a deeply introspective narrative.

Barren was formed in 2020 in Blackwood, New Jersey, by Andrew Campbell (guitars, vocals, bass, production) and Nick Bonsanto (drums and percussion), two lifelong friends and collaborators who had previously played together in several underground metal projects, including Empress, Arcanica, Thrashole, and Lör. The Barren's formation came at a time of deep personal transformation for Campbell. The music became an outlet for him to process the pain, isolation, and emotional turmoil he had experienced, and Barren quickly became the vehicle for this catharsis. Campbell and Bonsanto, who witnessed many of these struggles firsthand, crafted a sound that was raw, heavy, and filled with a sense of emotional gravity.

The bond between Campbell and Bonsanto runs deep, having grown not only as musicians but also as friends who stood by each other through some of life's darkest moments. Their previous bands were often rooted in thrash and death metal, but Barren allowed them to explore a slower, heavier, and more atmospheric style, pulling influences from doom metal giants like Conan and Pallbearer, as well as progressive and experimental elements found in bands like Opeth. Their music is defined by crushingly heavy riffs, thunderous percussion, and moments of eerie calm, mirroring the emotional highs and lows of the stories they tell through their songs. Barren's creative direction is intimately tied to Campbell's personal journey. The band's debut album, The Hanged Man, is not only a sonic exploration of doom and death metal but also a deeply personal narrative of addiction, despair, and the search for redemption. The themes of the album are drawn directly from Campbell's experiences, with songs addressing the darkest moments of his life - from the chaos of addiction to the moments of hopelessness and withdrawal, and ultimately the solitude that followed. Bonsanto's drumming reflects the deep emotional resonance of these experiences, building atmospheres that shift between crushing heaviness and moments of sparse, haunting calm.

Despite being a relatively new band, Barren has quickly established itself as a unique voice in the doom-metal scene, combining Campbell's deeply personal lyrics with a sound that is as expansive as it is heavy. The band's DIY ethos is evident in every aspect of their work; Campbell handled all aspects of production, mixing, and mastering at Skull House Studio, ensuring that the album's raw, emotional intensity was captured in every track. The inclusion of guest guitarist Peter Hraur of Lör on "L'appel du Vide" adds another dimension to their sound, further showcasing the band's versatility and ability to blend different styles within the metal genre.

As a band, Barren represents not just the music, but the journey of survival and recovery. Their music speaks to those who have walked through the fire of addiction and come out the other side, often scarred but still standing. The Hanged Man is more than just a debut album - it's a statement of resilience, a deeply personal confession, and a powerful introduction to a band poised to leave a lasting impact on the metal community. With Campbell's heavy, introspective songwriting and Bonsanto's dynamic drumming, Barren is a force that blends the brutality of doom and death metal with emotional depth and narrative complexity. Link