Hailing from the Carolinas in the USA, comes XAEL (ft. members of Nile, The Reticent, Rapheumets Well), bringing with them epic symphonic death metal like no other. They have recently released an album entitled "Bloodtide Rising" (February 12, 2021) and now have a music video for the title track, which features guests Mathieu Marcotte (Guitarist from Augury and Humanoid) and Nate Miller (Chinese Violin).
The title track was the first song written for the new album, and thus sets the tone of the entire full length. It is primal and epic, showcasing the brutal nature of the main antagonist of the record's story. XAEL explains the track and album in their own words:
“It’s an auditory odyssey, it’s brutal and emotional all at once. The story of the album really focuses on the members of the band who are called the “watchers of Xan” in which we navigate the different worlds. This album focuses on our arrival to Vuul Athmar as our characters are sold off from the prison of Dreadrift. We craft our own multiverse and create our own lore. The entire band is crafted from the dark and complex set of dimensions.”
The video for the album title track can be watched on YouTube:
"Bloodtide Rising" is a concept album rooted in a science fiction universe that XAEL revolves all their music around. The extreme symphonic release chronicles the journey of a character named Darmak, an immortal who is trying to find purpose in a chaotic and complex multiverse.
XAEL was initially meant to be a personal project by drummer Joshua “Nassaru” Ward, however, when other musicians showed interest it evolved into a full-fledged project with each member contributing equally towards this current full length and the band's first album “The Last Arbiter” (2018).
Fans of progressive and brutal metal along with sci-fi enthusiasts will take interest in what XAEL is doing. It’s different, and listeners can get lost in the complex multiverse that they have conceived. Epic and extreme, it is recommended for fans of Septicflesh, Fleshgod Apocalypse, and Nile.
The album “Bloodtide Rising” is out now on the following platforms:
Apple Music, Amazon, Deezer, Tidal HERE .
Spotify
Track Listing:
1. Suun Rai Aru (Passion Begets Ruin) (3:04)
2. As Decreed: The Law of Vuul Athmar (4:25)
3. The Waste of Dreadrift (5:19)
4. Srai – The Demon of Erring (6:24)
5. Dark World Mirrors (4:42)
6. Bloodtide Rising (ft. Mathieu Marcotte of Augury) (3:48)
7. The Red Odyssey (2:07)
8. The Red Odyssey Part 2: The Temple of the Sky Eater (4:57)
9. The Odium and the Contrition (4:12)
Album Length: 39:02
Album Band Line Up:
Joshua Niemeyer – Vocals
Daniel Presnell – Guitar
Chris Hathcock – Guitar, Clean vocals
Brad Parris – Bass vocals
Joshua “Nassaru” Ward – Drums, Keys, Vocals
Eldersverse.com/xael
Facebook.com/xael.metal
Instagram.com/xael_official
EPK
About:
Xael, based out of the American Carolinas was formed in 2018. The band’s current line-up consists of Joshua Niemeyer, Daniel Presnell, Chris Hathcock (The Reticent), Brad Parris (Nile), and Joshua “Nassaru” Ward (Rapheumets Well). Xael combines elements of extreme metal with orchestrations and folk music to create soundscapes of the imagination.
Xael’s music focuses on the endeavors of its members in a science fantasy epic. From the wastelands of war-torn planets to the pits where the fallen gods dwell, Xael paints an odd and fantastic sci-fi world both musically and visually.
Discography:
2021 – Bloodtide Rising (Pavement Entertainment)
2018- The Last Arbiter (Test Your Metal Records)
Bloodtide Rising Concept:
Imprisoned by the counsel of Tymeer, led by the insidious entity Sen, Darmak “ cursed with a degrading immortality” and the Watchers of Xan were presented as an offering to the Sovereign Ruler and rare species collector, Atara Avuniir in exchange for military and economic support. Finding Favor with the Queen, the Watchers were integrated into her elite guard where they became renowned for their success.
Unforeseen, the Queen fell in love with Darkmak and she would bear to him a son. Vuul Athmar along with the outer planets of the Eiasian-Rim prospered yet the queen harbors a dark secret, an anomaly that threatens the outer-worlds.
Touring history:
Though Xael is a new project, the members are no stranger to touring. Brad Parris, being the frontman and bass player for Nile embarks on yearly international tours. Along with Joshua Ward (who is the drum tech for George Kollias of Nile), they have toured most of Europe, Australia, India, South America, Russia, and Japan. Other members being from bands such as Rapheumets Well and The Reticent are all versed in national and international touring.
Sounds Like: Septicflesh, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Wardruna, Nile, Cattle Decapitation, Heilung, Dimmu Borgir, Devin Townsend, Emperor, Augury
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