Herod have arisen from the ever- prosperous Swiss music scene. Throughout their young 4 years of presence, they have already shared the stage with such acts as Gojira, Crowbar, The Ocean, Carcass, Obituary, Napalm Death and Voivod – attesting their repute as the bus boy’s of King Herod, serving up whole sides of rare riffs, disposition, beauty and authority.
Sombre DesseinPilat also plays guitar and Herod are now furnished with a supplementary layer of musicality to complement both heaviness and soundscape aspects of their palette. Carcass guitar player Bill Steer makes a guest appearance on “Fork Tongue”, the new track which the band have shared today.
The band comment:
“When Michael Pilat (vocals/guitar) and Pierre Carroz (founder/guitar) worked on the lyrics, they came up with a concept made out of ideas and punch lines Pierre had been collecting for a few months. At that time Pierre was reading the works of a French philosopher (Michel Onfray) who introduced him to the idea of the inescapable end of our civilisation as a Greek tragedy. We all have studied the history of ancient civilizations that have collapsed at some point but it is like we cannot face the idea that we might reach the end of our civilisation that started about 2000 years ago. After brainstorming, they decided to build the lyrics with the concept of the rise and fall of a dictator, which is also a tip of the cap to King Herod.
The idea behind the lyrics is the acceptance of the situation, the confrontation of our denial and the quest of a certain tragic wisdom in order to find the light where it is.
While opening 35 shows for Carcass in 2015, we were delighted to see Sir William Steer playing every night. He’s such an inspiring and thrilling guitar player as well as a humble gentleman. During the recoding process we ask him to record a solo on “Fork Tongue” and we couldn’t believe he accepted.”
Recorded and mixed by Swiss audiophile Julien Fehlman, mastered by Magnus Lindberg from Cult of Luna, Sombre Dessein is an album of staggering riffs, intricate yet groovy polyrhythmic patterns and sheer heaviness. The bi-lingual vocal approach adds an unusual but intriguing aspect to the band’s delivery of their craft.
Herod will also be touring Europe in March and April with The Ocean and Downfall of Gaia.
Sombre Dessein is released on 15th February via Pelagic Records
