STRICKEN Descends Further Into Darkness on From Dark Dimensions An Unspeakable Presence Awakens
Photo Credit: BEN SCHAULAND
Seattle-area blackened sludge trio STRICKEN will return Nov. 6 with its second full-length album, From Dark Dimensions An Unspeakable Presence Awakens, through Horror Pain Gore Death Productions.
Across five tracks, the band pushes its collision of sludge, doom, black metal and experimental heaviness into darker and more expansive territory. The record centers on psychological collapse, self-destruction, existential dread, nihilism and the things lurking beneath conscious thought.
The new material follows STRICKEN’s 2022 debut, From A Well Of Emptiness, A Stygian Serpent Born, but the band has increased both the intensity and unpredictability of its arrangements. Slow, oppressive passages give way to faster attacks, deep grooves and less conventional structures rather than remaining locked into a single interpretation of sludge or doom.
STRICKEN began as a collaboration between bassist and vocalist Rob Ropkins, formerly of DEADLY LIGHT, PIPEFITTER, NORTH AMERICAN BISON and PINNED RED, and guitarist Nick Charlton. The project expanded into a trio in 2017 after drummer Chris Wozniak relocated to Seattle and answered a Craigslist advertisement citing CELTIC FROST, COFFINS and AUTOPSY among its influences.
Wozniak brought experience from LAIR OF THE MINOTAUR, EARTHEN GRAVE and I KLATUS into the developing project. Within roughly a year, the trio had recorded an initial demo in his garage and begun performing around the region.
Its first album followed several years later. Local engineer Tom Thew recorded the seven-track From A Well Of Emptiness, A Stygian Serpent Born, which Horror Pain Gore Death released in 2022.
For its sophomore record, STRICKEN took greater control of the recording process itself. The band recorded the album, with Charlton handling engineering and Wozniak mixing the sessions.
James Plotkin mastered the record at Plotkinworks. His extensive credits include work with KHANATE, EARTH and AMAROK. Visual artist Tom Denney, whose previous work includes BLACK COBRA, SOILENT GREEN and WEEDEATER, created the album artwork.
The combination places STRICKEN in territory likely to appeal to listeners of NEUROSIS, INTER ARMA, YOB, CONAN, CELTIC FROST, TRIPTYKON, CRAFT and HIGH ON FIRE without confining the band to any one of those reference points.
From Dark Dimensions An Unspeakable Presence Awakens Track Listing
- “Dust From The Grave”
- “Darkness Impenetrable”
- “Moonless”
- “Touch Of Corruption”
- “From Nothing To Nothing”
From Dark Dimensions An Unspeakable Presence Awakens will be released digitally and on CD Nov. 6 through Horror Pain Gore Death Productions.
STRICKEN is also assembling regional tour dates in support of the album and has already begun work on additional new material.