Moribund Mantras Explore the Turmoil and Terror "...of Fathomless Depths" (Early Album Stream)

The ocean is a terrifying place. Some of that is due to what we know is down there, but ultimately the fear comes from the same place it usually does: uncertainty. It takes immense planning, equipment, and time to delve into the depths, and there’s no shortage of horror stories about what can happen if things go wrong.

Though conceptually focused on the broader questions of life’s meaning and purpose, the German occult doom group Moribund Mantras‘s new album …Of Fathomless Depths reflects this mysterious, dangerous, and yet essential fixture of our planet. This is partially via the album artwork and song titles like “Sinking – Floating” and “Shore of Knowledge,” but the connection also lies in the music. Through brooding, dreamy doom metal that layers together hypnotically-paced riffs and forceful vocals into a swelling and ebbing tide, the band conveys a peril-fraught trip into stormy metaphysical seas. We’re streaming it in full before it releases Friday.

…

…

Moribund Mantras, it should be noted, is not your typical occult doom metal band. Discard any thoughts of witches, devils, and fuzzy pentatonic riffs: the band’s vein of occultism is more akin to philosophy. The album art clues us into this as well, since both …Of Fathomless Depths and prior album Golden Void feature incredibly detailed sigils front-and-center in their artwork that evoke thoughts of ancient alchemical textbooks and other bizarre esoterica.

In keeping with this theme, the album’s dynamic mixture of stalwart doom riffs and dense, foggy textures creates a sense of dangerous, hazy potential. Fleeting melodies and echoing screams trigger thoughts of untold answers, buried in an incomprehensible void. …Of Fathomless Depths plunges listeners into this maw, leading them through dark and alien depths in a fateful quest.

…

…Of Fathomless Depths releases April 14th via Argento Records.