Austere released The Sunset of Life, the next single taken from the Australian black metal duo’s forthcoming new album Beneath the Threshold. However, Faded Ghost, the first single taken from the new album came out on January 9th. The fourth full-length of the band from Wollongong in New South Wales will come out on April 5th, 2024. The melancholic track The Sunset of Life is now available on Youtube.
Austere commented: “The second track that we wrote for the record, The Sunset of Life is one that shows some entirely new ideas for us to date”, guitarist and singer Mitchell Keepin states on behalf of the duo. “We feel this song is more in line with our current musical vision and writing. It allowed us to create something new, as opposed to being tied to our earlier works that we felt unable to escape when creating Corrosion of Hearts.”
“There are plenty of melodies and ideas from our past within this track, but it feels more inspired and explores new territory. Some rather ‘rock’ sounding riffs evolve into an epic and atmospheric sound. To me, this one feels a little nostalgic… In the sense that the song reminds me of a particular group of Swedish bands that I listened to when I was younger.”
Tracklist:
1. Thrall
2. The Sunset of Life
3. Faded Ghost
4. Cold Cerecloth
5. Words Unspoken
6. Of Severance
However, 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 embrace their musical future. Well, in a way that might have been expected after a 13-year hiatus.
When their voluntary break ended with the release of Corrosion of Hearts in 2023, the duo consisting of Mitchell Keepin and Tim Yatras returned. However, with a more mature and defined version of their own particular style of black metal. One 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. The band’s sonic heritage is still alive. Even though their roots in early Norse black metal and its depressive Scandinavian offspring continue to shine through! Anyway, 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, they offer 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 emphasized by a suitable production. One that lets each of the elements shine and does not try to blur the riffs.
Austere evolved out of a solo-project run by multi-instrumentalist and singer Desolate alias Mitchell Keepin. Thus, he joined forces with drummer, keyboard player, and vocalist Sorrow aka Tim Yatras in 2005. Signature frost-bitten guitars, alongside high-pitched screams and wails marked their debut album, Withering Illusions and Desolation (2007). As well as the two split-releases Only the Wind Remembers / Ending the Circle of Life (with LYRINX, 2008)… And Bleak… (with Isolation, 2008). However, the band reissued them partly on the EP Only the Wind Remembers (2008). The sophomore album To Lay like Old Ashes followed in 2009 and still featured a raw sound… Anyway, with a refined production.
The same year, the duo entered a voluntary hiatus until activities were resumed in 2021. During their absence the number of followers continued to grow through word of mouth.
For Austere the stars under the Southern Cross have newly aligned! Thus, 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.
Line-up
Mitchell Keepin – guitars, bass, keyboards, vocals
Tim Yatras – drums, keyboards, vocals
[…] Now, Austere are paving the way for their latest release titled Beneath the Threshold. Earlier this year, they have released two other singles, Faded Ghost and The Sunset of Life, which we have also covered in a previous article. […]