It’s in recent times that we’ve seen loads of bands come around that seek to go against the grain in some form or another, but excellent instances of such are few and far between for every reason. Whether it simply be due to the daunting nature of bringing such a piece together or the right components simply not coming together, few are able to bring anything to the table that can be considered “avant-garde” and actually deliver on such a concept. Having their roots firm in the conventional, Schammasch has been slowly transmuting into a beast entirely different with their forthcoming work seeing that change take its biggest step forward yet.

To find yourself at a crossroads of styles is already a daunting enough experience for bands that do not know how to approach such a thing, but those that do are able to put something to together that’s not just confidant in its strides but something that demands to be listened to for all that it dares to be. That’s what metal of this caliber tries to become with incredibly few able to bring it all together in such a form that feels interesting from top to bottom, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg of what Schammasch brings to the table in their bold new effort, “The Maldoror Chants: Old Ocean”. Bringing together many of the elements that they’ve dabbled in during the past but always more than willing to pull from a litany of others to make for a truly genre-defying listen, Schammasch has well and truly struck upon gold with these six tracks to offer up a gothic and distinctly cathartic creation that finds solace in the longing to leave this human shell behind for the embrace of nothingness. All brought forth with immense power and more than enough contrasting elements to make the album a winding listen that holds nothing back in in its smallest moments, “The Maldoror Chants: Old Ocean” is surrealist metal at some of its finest with even the bounds of reality itself seeming to quiver in the presence of Schammasch as its driven by a gorgeous array of vocals, impressive musicianship, and a knack for tapping into the very core of excellence to ensure that this record more than lives up its labelling of avant-garde.

This is the kind of record that we are always in need of. One that challenges norms and defies convention while never once becoming some indiscernable mess where it’s clear the conductors let the train run out of control, Schammasch proves itself to be a team that it more than competent at compelling such an unyielding beast to a destination that is as fitting as it is satisfying. Where there was much that could have been left on the table to leave us wanting more, “The Maldoror Chants: Old Ocean” capitalizes on its potential at every possible turn to leave us with an exceedingly dense creation that has loads to offer those willing to spend time in its darkness.

“The Maldoror Chants: Old Ocean” releases on October 25th via Prosthetic Records!

LISTEN to advanced tracks from “The Maldoror Chants: Old Ocean” on Bandcamp here.

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