Decibel Magazine, Metal Sucks and others are streaming tracks off this sensational H.P. Lovecraft-based release HERE and HERE. You can’t escape the lure of the Mythos.
– “somehow manages to aurally channel the dread and terror of its inspiration” – Decibel Magazine (US)
– “perfectly encapsulates both the creepiness and the repulsiveness of Lovecraftian horror” – Metal Sucks (US)
– “There’s something wonderfully unsettling about Swampcult” – Metal Injection (US)
– “one of the best and most authentic musical stabs at the Mythos” – Doom-Metal.com (Belgium) 8.5/10
– “The most awesomely disgusting, putrid, dark, and straight up terrifying record” – Headbanger Reviews (US)
– “steeped in an aura of encroaching doom” – No Clean Singing (US)
– “A real tribute to the great writer and a must have for all true lovers of mystical horror.” – Reckoning Hour (Greece)
– “Superb.” – The Killchain (UK)
– “High praise for SWAMPCULT’s The Festival!” – Dire Notes (US)
– “captures both the narrative and the mood of Lovecraft‘s work” – The Obelisk (US)
– “an album full of devilish sounds and lots of atmosphere.” – Franconia Metallum (Germany)
– “creating morbid atmospheres with downbeat riffing” – Wonderbox Metal (UK)
– “well worth purchasing this record” – Metal Gallows (India)
Swampcult (Netherlands) – ‘The Festival’ (2016)
Genre – ‘Lovecraftian Metal’
Release Date – October 2nd, 2016
Record Label – Transcending Obscurity Records
For fans of – H.P. Lovecraft (ha)
Dutch band Swampcult aren’t just inspired by H.P. Lovecraft, they’ve based an album entirely on his highly acclaimed story ‘The Festival’. Mixing black metal, doom metal, and death metal, they’ve formed a new style that defies easy categorization – to call it ‘Lovecraftian metal’ is perhaps the best way to describe the intriguing music. Each song is divided into chapters tracing the original ‘The Festival’ story, bringing it to life. The sounds of dread were never before so easily captured in this genre. The very vibe of H.P. Lovecraft’s story has been recreated using a mixture of various extreme sounds; from the strange murmurings in the village to the toll of bells, it’s all encapsulated perfectly in one album. To give it visual appeal, a special ‘story card’ is created for each chapter, each having its own artwork and writings, which is given out free with the purchase of any physical product. Swampcult, in addition to devoting an album entirely to H.P. Lovecraft’s ‘The Festival’ story, have written excellent, contemporary music that’s seamless, laden with surprises, and consistent. If there could be a genuine soundtrack for H.P. Lovecraft’s story, this is it. ‘The Festival’ is meant to be heard from start to finish, with at least the lyrics sheet in hand if not the book itself, and is recommended to all those who’re into things horror and extreme.
‘The Festival’ Track list:
1. Chapter I – The Village 06:01
2. Chapter II – The Old Man 02:55
3. Chapter III – Al-Azif Necronomicon 03:54
4. Chapter IV – Procession 05:28
5. Chapter V – The Rite 08:23
6. Chapter VI – The Flight 02:21
7. Chapter VII – The Dawning 06:09
8. Chapter VIII – The Madness 03:11
9. IX – Epilogue – Betwixt Dream and Insanity 02:49
Line up:
D – All strings and narration
A – Percussion, vocals and narration