Mortuorum by Parthian
An introspective, fearless exploration of life, death, and resilience. Set for release this spring, Mortuorum is more than just a record; it is a deeply personal, ambitious journey through tragedy and rebirth, channeled into a musical masterpiece that will challenge listeners' perceptions of death metal.
The making of Mortuorum was marked by heart-wrenching personal loss for the band. In a tragic twist, during the recording process, several members experienced devastating losses — vocalist Adam's father and great uncle passed away, drummer DJ lost his uncle, bassist Jacky and his wife tragically lost a child midterm, and lead guitarist Justin's wife currently faces a battle with cancer. But through these moments of profound grief, Parthian transformed their pain into artistic expression, creating one of the most pioneering and cathartic collections of music in their career.
“We wanted Mortuorum to be an exploration of death and the way it affects us, not just as individuals but as a collective. We experienced loss, but we also experienced an ability to support each other and bounce back, and that’s something we wanted to convey with this album,” said Adam, the band’s vocalist.
The album opens with the heavy-hitting track Martyrless, a relentless death metal banger that sets the tone for the record’s fierce and powerful sound along with a music video, finding the band victims of a killer in an 80s-style slasher.
Following that, Viscera of Eternal Damnation unleashes a frenetic barrage of shredding, peppered with surprising country-infused riffs, showcasing the band’s unique ability to blend genres within the brutal confines of death metal.
Kingdom of Scorn is a dynamic track that features groovy metal riffs with an unexpected twist: a whimsical, music theater break in the middle inspired by Disney’s Princess and the Frog, blending the worlds of metal and theatrical storytelling into one thrilling composition.
The punishing Witches of Deliverance is another highlight, an all-out death metal powerhouse that’s made even more striking by an unexpected orchestral break midway through — a juxtaposition of brutal intensity and lush, emotional depth that takes the listener by surprise.
To close out the album is Blasphemian Rhapsody, a fearless track that takes inspiration from Queen’s iconic Bohemian Rhapsody in its ambitious and through-composed structure. But unlike its predecessor, Blasphemian Rhapsody is an unrelenting, metal epic that incorporates elements of neo-soul, a mind-bending Beatles-esque bridge, and a riff-driven ferocity that leaves a lasting impression.
Mortuorum is more than a death metal album; it’s a sonic journey that weaves together moments of devastation and beauty, interlacing multiple genres into an intricate tapestry that serves as both an artistic expression and a tribute to those lost.
Tracklist
| 1. | Martyrless | 4:36 |
| 2. | Viscera of Eternal Damnation | 4:30 |
| 3. | Kingdom of Scorn | 4:36 |
| 4. | Witches of Deliverance | 5:31 |
| 5. | Blasphemian Rhapsody | 8:25 |
Credits
Parthian is: Adam Faris, DJ Dixon, Justin Ronk, Jacky Patrick
Drum Engineering: Jason Catlett
Vocal Production and Mixing: Scott Spriggs
Mastering: Jens Bogren
Album Artwork: Tony Koehl
