OVERVIEW

Los Angeles-based dark melodic metal outfit Witherfall proudly presents their fourth full-length, “Sounds Of The Forgotten”, via DeathWave Records. With predecessor "Curse Of Autumn" garnering high praise in Metal Insider, Deaf Forever, and KNAC.com, as well as admirable positions on Germany’s Top 20 Albums chart and Billboard’s Top New Artist Albums and Billboard 100 chart, “Sounds Of The Forgotten" advances Witherfall to legendary status with its epic, foreboding expanse. The album is supported by an ambitious schedule of seven singles, each with an official video linking the album’s story of heartbreak, anger, and tenacity. This is genuinely Witherfall, always willing to go the extra mile to outclass the past. 

 

Witherfall was formed in Los Angeles in 2013. Joseph Michael (also of Sanctuary fame) and Jake Dreyer (ex-Iced Earth/Demons & Wizards) built their new band around drummer Adam Sagan (RIP) and accomplished bassist Anthony Crawford (Allan Holdsworth, CHON). Since then, the group have released three highly regarded albums: "Nocturnes And Requiems" (2017), "A Prelude To Sorrow" (2018), and "Curse Of Autumn" (2021) and an EP "Vintage" (2019). Not one to cut corners, Witherfall enlisted famed drummer Marco Minnemann (The Aristocrats, Steven Wilson, Jordan Rudess) on "Curse Of Autumn", ensuring the foundations of singles 'As I Lie Awake', 'The Other Side Of Fear', and 'The River' were second to none. On "Sounds Of The Forgotten", Minnemann returns to the fold with an album-only appearance, while drummer Chris Tsaganeas (Wax Owls) and multi-instrumentalist Gerry Hirschfeld (Willie Nelson) Witherfall’s newest permanent members.

MARKETING & PROMOTION / SELLING POINTS

• Many factors influenced and inspired Witherfall’s approach to “Sounds Of The Forgotten". The initial writing sessions — about three of them — occurred during the pandemic, after an ill-fated tour cancellation, and were fuelled by Michael and Dreyer’s intensifying dismay with the state of the world. Yet, the album colour theme conveys another side to Witherfall’s fourth-album distress. Often associated with ambition, power, and regality, the Blake Armstrong (In Flames, Megadeth, Kataklysm, Harry Potter) cover art provide a view into and a visual counter to the music on “Sounds Of The Forgotten" as well as Michael’s unapologetically forthright lyrics.

• Witherfall recorded “Sounds Of The Forgotten" at The Doghouse Studios in West Hills, CA, Big Blue North Studios in Utica, NY, and Planet Z Studios in Hadley, MA. Dreyer and Michael again tapped producer/studio wizard Chris “Zeuss” Harris (Rob Zombie, Queensrÿche, Shadows Fall) to engineer/co-produce, as well as mix and master, with Jeff Aderman (Suit Of Lights) assisting as an engineer. The recording sessions required about three continuous months of tracking, mixing, and mastering. Logistically, “Sounds Of The Forgotten" was likely Witherfall’s most complicated, but the result is vicious yet musical. The sonic inclusions imbued by the team throughout the album’s hour-long journey resonate deeper with each listen.

• Every Witherfall album is a defining moment. From the moment "Nocturnes And Requiems" thundered across metaldom to the group’s wine endeavours (Tempest Red Blend) with Charlie & Echo Winery, their video collaboration with Cig Neutron (Devil’s Workshop) on ‘The Other Side Of Fear’, a beer partnership with Adroit Theory Brewing Company (Shadows Black IPA), and custom Funko Pop set, Michael and Dreyer have made Witherfall their mission. The journey to this point hasn’t been without toil and upheaval. Determination, however, is the key. Today, Witherfall brings “Sounds Of The Forgotten" to the masses. Experience it all with them.

• Pre-order the album on classic black vinyl (NOCREQ005LP), insidious grey vinyl (NOCREQ005LPG) and forgotten purple vinyl (NOCREQ005LPP)

 

TRACKLIST

 

1. They Will Let You Down

2. Where Do I Begin?

3. A Lonely Path

4. Insidious

5. Ceremony Of Fire

6. Sounds Of The Forgotten (Connected)

7. Aftermath

8. When It All Falls Away

9. Opulent

10. What Have You Done?