Reviews are coming in thick and fast for Pantheïst’s new album, ‘Closer to God’, and we are collating them (as well as new interviews) on the Media page. In addition, we have uploaded the album lyrics and credits to the website here. If you haven’t already done so, you can order the limited edition Digipak CD and/or your digital copy on our Bandcamp page. Have a doomy Christmas!
Our new album ‘Closer to God’ has now been officially released! This is the sixth full-length record in Pantheïst’s 21 year history, and you can find out more about it on our Discography page. If you pre-ordered it then your Limited Edition Digipak CD should be arriving soon, and if you haven’t purchased it yet you can do so over at our Bandcamp page (there are only 300 copies available!) - where you can also take advantage of some affordable bundle deals! You can listen to and buy the album digitally on Bandcamp too, and there is a list of all the places it is available to stream here, including Spotify and iTunes.
As you can see, with the new album comes a revamping of the Pantheïst website, and we will be making further updates and additions in the months to come!
The new Pantheïst album ‘Closer to God’ is now available for preorder on Bandcamp.
Thank you to those who have already pre-ordered, your response has been overwhelming! For those of you who haven’t yet, you can pre-order the limited edition (300 copies) digipack CD, or the digital version of the album. The Vinyl Division are already working on the vinyl version, but as you may well be aware there are currently worldwide delays in vinyl production due to the pandemic. So vinyl freaks, please be patient until March 2022.
Featuring (other than founder and long-term member Kostas) US based musicians Jeremy Lewis (guitar, Mesmur) and John Devos (drums, Mesmur), French guitarist Nereide (Hidden in Eternity) and Welsh bassist Matt Strangis (Doubtsower), Pantheïst’s latest album is the band’s shortest and yet most confident offering, unveiling four epic tracks of cinematic scope which are dripping with emotion and infused with strong, memorable melodies.
As ever, the band worked with trusted collaborators to achieve optimum results. Andrei Oltean (Clouds, E-An-Na) guests on recorder and flute; the artwork has once again been entrusted to long-term collaborator Cheryl Panagiotou. Mastering has been done by the usual suspect Greg Chandler (Esoteric) at Priory Recording Studios.
You can preview the track ‘Wilderness’ on Bandcamp.
If you haven’t ordered the second Towards Atlantis Lights album yet, follow this link and scroll down for a SUPER affordable deal where you can add it to the pre-order at an additional cost of no more than £3!
Three years after ‘Seeking Infinity’, Pantheist are thrilled to announce the band’s next album, called ‘Closer to God’. Inspired by strange moods during the pandemic lockdown, it contains four tracks of cinematic funereal doom that are sure to push the envelope in the genre!
The album will be released digitally, as well as on limited edition digipak CD and black/coloured vinyl later this year (stay tuned for specific dates).
PANTHEIST - CLOSER TO GOD
Label: Melancholic Realm Productions / The Vinyl Division
Tracklisting:
1. Strange Times
2. Erroneous Elation
3. Wilderness
4. Of Stardust We Are Made (and To Dust We Shall Return)
Length: 48 minutes
Personnel:
Jeremy Lewis - Guitars
John Devos - Drums
Kostas Panagiotou - Vocals, Keys
Matt Strangis - Bass
Nereide - Guitars
Guest: Andrei Oltean (E-an-na, Clouds)
Mixed by Jeremy Lewis, Mastered by Greg Chandler at Priory Recording Studios. Artwork by Cheryl Panagiotou.
A bonus track has also been recorded, called ‘Shadow of the Hierophant’. This is a special cover of Steve Hackett’s prog epic of the same name. Pantheist have enhanced the dark atmosphere of the original and cut down on the prog elements, opting for a funeral doom approach instead. The dark lyrics, inspired by Tarot reading, add even more menace and mystery to the composition.
The track has already been revealed to Pantheist mailing list subscribers for free. If you are not a member of the mailing list, you can sign up here, and will then get immediate access to the track as well.
Credit to Jeremy Lewis for the guitarwork, keys (it is perhaps the first time in the history of the band that Kostas has delegated them to someone else!) and arrangements. Bass performed by Matthew Strangis, drums by John Devos, and Vocals by Kostas. Cover artwork by Cheryl Panagiotou.
It has been a badly kept secret over recent months that Pantheist are working on a new album, which they are aiming to release it in the autumn of this year. The band is currently putting a finishing hand of doom on the recordings of the last track and things are progressing well. Kostas has gathered an amazing line-up to help him produce an album which will exceed the expectations of those familiar with the band’s sound and trajectory.
First in line is the guitarist Nereide, known from his work with the atmospheric doom-death band Hidden in Eternity. In case you were not yet aware of them, their latest masterpiece ‘A Tout Jamais’ kicks seriously ass and it’s highly recommended if you are into the punishing doom-death of the French scene. Kostas has known Nereide for years, as he auditioned for ‘Journey Through Lands Unknown’ back in 2008 (sadly the distance got in the way) and recorded guitars for Kostas’s ‘Chapters’ album. All the way from Bordeaux (France), Nereide has laid down some seriously heavy, solid guitars for the album, giving it the required gravitas, heaviness and volume to meet even the most demanding ear. Nereide reminds us of what Pantheist is in the first place: a slow, heavy metal band.
Meanwhile, bass on the new album has been performed by Matt Strangis of Kyam. Matt runs the dark electronics label Unbidden Audio and while his main focus is electronic music, even a superficial listen to his output with Kyam confirms his love for extreme doom and drone music. The compositions are brooding, harsh and dark as a starless night in Cardiff. Kostas was introduced to Matt through a common musician friend in South Wales and it soon became apparent that they shared the same appreciation of the art of dark, atmospheric music. Matt played bass on the Pantheist single ‘De regen voorbij’, giving the track an impressive low frequency boost and much needed ‘balls’ and heaviness. It was only natural then that Kostas asked him to play bass on the new album. His heavy yet precise bass lines are a significant presence in the album. Check out Kyam and Unbidden Audio in the meanwhile while preparing for the Day of Doom!
Thirdly, Pantheist welcomes Jeremy Lewis from Mesmur and Dalla Nebbia. Jeremy not only played guitars on the new album but he is also in charge of the mixing and let us tell you, he is doing an incredible job! Those familiar with his work with Mesmur and Dalla Nebbia will know that Jeremy has a unique guitar style which is both progressive and doomy. He has embellished the compositions with some amazing leads and solos, proving to be a perfect fit with the band’s philosophy and sound. If you haven’t heard Mesmur yet, head to bandcamp now; essential stuff for aficionados of weird, ‘out-there’ funeral doom with a space aesthetic!
Last but not least, drums on the new album have been performed by US-based drummer John Devos. John is a familiar figure within the extreme-metal genre where competent drummers who have the right ‘feels’ can be hard to find. A quick look in his bio will reveal his involvement in a wide range of bands such as Blighted Eye, Mesmur, Comatose Vigil A.K., Dalla Nebbia, Blood Atonement etc. John’s rock solid yet versatile drumming has made the recording of this album a worry free and fun experience. You will hear anything from sparse thuds of doom to furious pedal drumming…but then again you did expect that, didn’t you?