The atmospheric doom/death metal band legends Avernus signed with M-Theory Audio. Armed with a solidified lineup and a crushing new album, the American band dropped the single Nemesis. This is the first single from the upcoming album, Grievances, which will come out on August 15th.
“Nemesis is a song that reacts to the gross neglect and indifference towards that neglect of Earth. We have polluted to no end, and we continue making a mess of things wherever we are,” explains drummer Rick Yifrach. “In the end, the Earth has the last laugh, because she will survive humanity’s ravaging… While we will continue to bury our dead in the very mess we make, the rotten soil.”
“Trying to capture the feel of the idea of the song, we knew that we would need the right videographer with the right set of skills to capture this correctly… enter Alex Zarek. We had a lot of fun making this video with Alex. Shot beautifully in a bit of a strange circumstance on location, Alex understood the direction of what we were going for… And captured the correct shots,” says guitarist Erik Kikke.
About the band
Established in 1992 in Chicago, Avernus was one of the premiere bands mixing death metal with doom elements… As evidenced by early demos over the next couple years. A Tracery of Red featuring singer Rick McCoy and drummer Rick Yifrach and fan-favorite Sadness, which added guitarist Erik Kikke to the lineup. In addition to becoming a live staple of Midwest shows and fests, a rippling effect began throughout underground circles.
In 1994, Avernus’ reputation caught the attention of now-current M-Theory Audio president Marco Barbieri. At the time, Marco worked at Metal Blade Records. He included the band’s track Godlessness on Metal Massacre XII in 1995. The song showed the beginnings of the group reaching for more melodic and gothic tendencies. Marco urged Metal Blade to sign the group but there just wasn’t enough enthusiasm from above. So, Marco felt so strongly about Avernus that he contemplated starting his own imprint then. However, the group instead signed with M.I.A. Records (Darkest Hour, Oppressor, Spirit Caravan). Then, they released their Of the Fallen album in 1997.
The same year, guitarist James Genenz (later of Fleshgrind, Jungle Rot) joined the ranks. Avernus didn’t make the breakthrough evidenced by their early talents and hard work. Recording a couple more demos the band wallowed in obscurity in the 2000s despite the efforts of remaining constant member, founder Rick McCoy. The band slowly crumbled away.
The band returns
However, things never truly die… And nostalgia for the group was urged by fans and even band members. Slowly, the pieces were assembled, reunion shows played and new music written culminating in the song released today and the forthcoming full-length album. By far, the most cohesive and powerful recording assembled by a more experienced and yet calmer heads to create truly a masterwork.
“Decades in the making… We have known Marco Barbieri since he was with Metal Blade Records. Marco has supported us since the mid-‘90s. He was the main reason we were given the opportunity to be a part of Metal Blade’s Metal Massacre 12 compilation.”, said the band.
“Forward to now… we finished recording a full-length record. Somehow the stars aligned and the conditions were right, and it fell into Marco’s hands. Soon after, with a short discussion and knowing the history that Marco has with so many great bands, we formed a partnership. And became part of the M-Theory roster. This journey really has been ‘decades in the making’ and came together as a ‘perfect storm’. We are humbled and honored to be a part of M-Theory Audio family.”, the band stated.
