It's been seven years since Finnish funeral doom progenitors Skepticism loosed upon the Earth a tsunami of sonic sorrow, but that's about to change. The band just announced the release date for their fifth album and it's much sooner than you'd probably expect. Ordeal will see the light of day on September 18th via Svart Records, and, if you ask me, that date can't come soon enough. For 20 years Skepticism has been busy releasing a series of EPs and full length albums that put most other doom bands to shame.
For the band's fifth album, the Finns decided to go balls out and just record the album live in front of an audience instead of partaking in the traditional studio process. "Recording live made the album sound a bit rough and dirty, which is suitable for us in any case," said drummer Lasse Pelkonen. "I think metal is good only if one can recognize it as such by sound and arrangement. This happens on Ordeal." Ordeal will be released as CD/DVD and LP/DVD bundled so fans can watch the recording process of the album if they so desire. Keep an eye out for this one, kiddos, Skepticism doesn't release bad albums. Below you'll find a complete track listing for Ordeal as well as a live recording of the band from 2011. If you aren't acquainted with this funeral doom juggernaut, you've got some time to prepare your body for what will almost certainly be one of the best doom metal releases of the year.
Ordeal Track Listing:
1. You
2. Momentary
3. The Departure
4. March Incomplete
5. The Road
6. Closing Music
7. Pouring
8. The March and the Stream
