 VÖLUR & CARES Unveil “Windbourne Sorcery I,” A Meditative Storm of Strings, Spirits, and Sonic Spellcraft Stream “Windbourne Sorcery I” HERE Canadian doom-folk experimentalists VÖLUR have released their new single “Windbourne Sorcery I”, a transportive instrumental that draws on Kurdish rhythmic traditions, Persian timbres, and Western harmonic sensibilities. The track is the latest glimpse into Breathless Spirit, the band’s ambitious fourth studio album and their first full-length collaboration with avant-producer CARES (James Beardmore). At the heart of “Windbourne Sorcery I” is the tanbur, a three-stringed Kurdish lute played here by Lucas Gadke in his first time recording the instrument with VÖLUR, though it previously featured on their 2020 EP Zwischen den Wäldern. Inspired by the playing of Ali Akbar Moradi and the atmospherics of TALK TALK’s “Spirit of Eden,” the piece flows intuitively through unconventional time signatures, primarily a 10/8 rhythmic cycle (3-2-2-3), before opening into a spellbinding stretch of free improvisation led by Laura C. Bates’ violin. The song features no lyrics, but instead opens with a chant over a contrapuntal descending melody, eventually expanding into a complex, trance-inducing chant cycle in 24 beats (10+7+7), a hallmark of VÖLUR’s genre-defying sound. The band’s commitment to authenticity is clear: Lucas studied tanbur for three years with Tehran-born maestro Reza Houshvar, bringing a deeply rooted, personal resonance to this cross-cultural composition. “Windbourne Sorcery I” exemplifies the sonic terrain of Breathless Spirit, a six-track journey shaped over five years, originally conceived as part of VÖLUR’s Die Sprachen Der Vögel series. Produced in deep collaboration with CARES, the album draws on Icelandic folklore, Persian modal structures, doom metal, and free jazz. The result is a deeply textured and emotionally resonant work that dissolves the boundaries between genres, cultures, and consciousness. Breathless Spirit features contributions from Amy Bowles (PONY DA LOOK) and Zoë Santo (DIVKA), and is visually anchored by a striking stone-cut print by Inuit artist Saimaiyu Akesuk, which also inspired some of the album’s compositional rhythms. It will be available on black vinyl in two editions, including a “diehard edition” that comes with a bonus 7” and a custom Breathless Spirit tea blend created in partnership with BLACK THRONE. About VÖLUR & CARES VÖLUR is a Toronto-based experimental doom metal trio composed of Laura C. Bates (violin, vocals), Lucas Gadke (bass, vocals), and Justin Ruppel (drums). Known for their unorthodox instrumentation and boundary-pushing compositions, VÖLUR draws from a wide range of influences including doom metal, European folk, free improvisation, classical music, and Persian/Kurdish traditions. Their sound, often described as haunting and cinematic, blends thunderous low-end weight with fragile melodic tension. Since forming in 2014, they have released multiple albums and EPs, performed at festivals such as ProphecyFest and Sled Island, and collaborated with artists from around the world as part of their Die Sprachen der Vögel series. CARES is the project of James Beardmore, a UK-born, Ontario-based musician and producer. Known for his experimental production methods and emotional sonic textures, Beardmore integrates analog synthesizers, hacked hardware, custom Max/MSP instruments, and field recordings into compositions that are as tactile as they are atmospheric. His work with VÖLUR on Breathless Spirit is a seamless collaboration that expands the band’s sonic universe, elevating their music into a richly layered fusion of organic and electronic sound. Together, VÖLUR & CARES create immersive, mythically charged music that resists categorization, rooted in story and sound, breath and ritual. VÖLUR is: Laura C. Bates – violin, electric violin, viola, cymbals, vocals Lucas Gadke – electric bass, double bass, harmonium, keyboards, tanbur, clarinet, bass clarinet, vocals Justin Ruppel – drums, percussion Connect with VÖLUR: Website: www.volurdoom.com Bandcamp: https://volur.bandcamp.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VolurDoom/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/volurdoom/ Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/volurdoom YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/volurdoom TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@volurdoom Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2Y2XCmgrMhdMpoNdGibU01  Breathless Spirit Track Listing: Hearth Windbourne Sorcery I Windbourne Sorcery II Breathless Spirit On Drangey Death in Solitude Glamr Flutterby Numbers |
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Death-Doom Metal Act CRONOS COMPULSION Announce Debut Album
 Photo Credit: Jeff Tidwell Chaotic-Death Metal Outfit CRONOS COMPULSION Announce Debut Album Lawgiver, First Single Out Now Stream “Lawgiver” Here The Denver-based genre fusing metal quartet CRONOS COMPULSION is preparing to unveil their obliterating chaos in their forthcoming album Lawgiver. Known for their crushing riffs, frenzied rhythms, and a genre-defying blend of death-doom, chaotic metal, and noise-laced breakdowns, CRONOS COMPULSION is ready with a new line-up to enter their next chapter. The first single and title track “Lawgiver” is available now. Lawgiver, CRONOS COMPULSION’s debut album, has been several years in the making and features a revised track from 2021’s Cursed and Decaying EP, “Neolithic Meditations,” and eight other tracks of all-new material. “We’ve been playing these songs live for quite some time now so we’ve managed to distill this down into what we think is a solid first full-length”, says vocalist and guitarist Wil Wilson. The album, set for release on July 11th on digital, CD and LP via Avantgarde Music death metal division Unorthodox Emanations, is a scathing critique of late-stage capitalism as well as humanity’s basest instincts. CRONOS COMPULSION is: Wil Wilson – vocals, guitar, noise Raye Mokarry – guitar Addison Herron-Wheeler – bass, backing vocals Zach Johnson – drums Recorded and mixed by Austin Minney at All Aces Studios. Mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege. All photos by Jeff Tidwell. Artwork by Liam Day. About CRONOS COMPULSION: Initially formed in 2021 with Wil Wilson on guitar and vocals, Addison Herron-Wheeler on bass, and Jon Linsky on drums, CRONOS COMPULSION have been creating their signature brand of death-doom, noise, chaotic metal, and beyond since right after the pandemic. Their debut EP, Cursed and Decaying, released in 2021, and was followed by their Malicious Regression EP in 2023. 2024 saw Jon exit the band on mutual terms with Raye Mokarry stepping in to fill the role, and Zach Johnson took over drum duties that same year. Their debut full-length, Lawgiver, will be out this June via Avantegarde Records. Links: Bandcamp: https://cronoscompulsiondeath.bandcamp.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cronoscompulsion/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cronoscompulsion  Lawgiver Track List: 1. Obligate Condition 2. Maladapt 3. Gyre of Decaying Filth 4. Ancestral Remains 5. Sun Devouring Wound 6. Neolithic Meditations 7. Mortal Dissolution 8. Lawgiver 9. Incursion of Deific Chaos Copyright © 2025 C Squared Music, All rights reserved. |
Metal Valkyrie 