Samuel L. Rosin June 11th, 2016 - 3:24 PM
West Coast progressive metal mainstays Hammers of Misfortune will release their sixth studio album, Dead Revolution on July 22, 2016. The title track, also named “Dead Revolution”, is currently streaming via Soundcloud.
Dead Revolution marks Hammers of Misfortune’s first new release since 2011’s critically acclaimed 17th Street. Group leader and guitarist John Cobbett said through his website that Dead Revolution will consist of “darker and heavier” production than did 17th Street. He further alluded that the new LP would lack the pop flourishes of its predecessor.
Hammers of Misfortune shifted studio personnel to capture their desired sound on Dead Revolution. In place of long time sound engineer Justin Weis, the group employed Nick Dumitriu (Vhöl, Ritual Chamber). Dumitriu crafted a “warm, sharp sound”, resembling production on Pink Floyd’s Meddle and David Hitchcock’s work on Camel’s Mirage.
Between albums, Hammers of Misfortune’s members pursued multifarious side projects. Cobbett and keyboardist Sigrid Sheie released two albums with critically lauded cerebral hardcore group Vhöl and also welcomed a baby together. Guitarist Leila Abdul-Rauf issued three albums with death metal favorites Vastum, while bassist Paul Walker comprised one fourth of doom metal group The Worship of Silence and new drummer Chewy Marzolo performed with famed Bay Area thrashers Death Angel.
Cobbett said production on Dead Revolution finished back in 2015. He blames himself for its delayed release date.
“Mostly, the delay was my fault, trying to finish the cover art,” Cobbett said. “Specifically the gatefold/booklet, which is hand drawn and hand lettered (while holding a baby), took me a long time. Sorry!”
Dead Revolution is currently available for pre-order in both physical and digital form. US fans can preorder physical vinyl and CD copies of the album through Indiemerch, while digital copies can pre-ordered through iTunes, Amazon, and Bandcamp.
Dead Revolution
01. The Velvet Inquisition
02. Dead Revolution
03. Sea Heroes
04. The Precipice (Waiting for the Crash…)
05. Here Comes the Sky
06. Flying Alone
07. Days of ’49
