Release Date: March 20th 2026. Record Label: El Burno Records, and Third House Communications. Formats: DD/Vinyl
Subterfuge - Tracklisting
1.Toothless Wolf 04:52
2.Spiraling Ash 04:48
3.Fathom 10:02
4.Ethereal Thirst 07:09
5.William 05:57
6.Subterfuge 04:58
7.Fluidity 02:56
Members
Corey Staley – vocals
Mike Burns – guitars
Carly Allman – bass
Derek Vaive – drums
Review
Doom/Sludge/Stoner Metallers Radian are back with a vengeance with their outstanding new album Subterfuge. Radian sounds like a new band reborn with a revised lineup since their 2022 record Discordian. The next chapter of the band’s evolution sees the band inject more melody and aggression into their music whilst keeping that winning Progressive Sludge/Stoner Metal sound that made their first two records such an absolute delight. The vocals from Corey Staley move between different heavy Progressive Metal themes with clean and harsh vocals combining for a stunning tour-de-force of modern day Sludge Metal.
The album itself is a concept album which you can read about below
“Set in a reimagined, modern-day Egypt – one that never fell to Roman conquest – Subterfuge tells the story of a man willing to do whatever it takes to protect his home, his people, and his culture from a cabal of overlords bent on erasure for personal gain. While rooted in a reimagined history, the album is riddled with comparisons to contemporary society: exploitation, manufactured collapse, and rebellion in the face of systems designed to consume rather than sustain.”
There may be influence from the lies of MASTODON, HIGH ON FIRE and NEUROSIS behind that story but Radian makes this their own vivid level of storytelling by combining modern day themes that feel very relatable in today’s uncertain times. The music itself is a mixture of Psych, Ambient, Sludge, Doom, Stoner and Progressive grooves with a stunning sense of mysticism and grounded reality which also feels inspired by the likes of YOB and Shrinebuilder at times.
The record never waives from portraying some harsh realities with soulful lyrics when matched against the sludgy Prog Metal textures that’s layered with intense Psych Metal imagery especially on the tracks Toothless Wolf, Spiraling Ash and Fathom within the first half of the album.
Radian play a stunning style of pure full-on Sludge/Stoner Metal that moves into Post-Metal territory but they also show a new found maturity when playing a subdued Post-Doomed Out style that adds a calming Post-Rock influence on the epic third track Fathom which is my favourite track on the album.
As stated earlier, Radian has a new line-up altogether compared to their last record with only Mike Burns as the only original member left. This feels like a band reborn with each member injecting their own personality into Radian’s core identity and overall sound which mostly comes into full effect on tracks such as Fathom, Ethereal Thrust, William and Subterfuge.
These tracks allow the band to move into other musical domains such as Punk and Hard Rock which gives their music a richer, heavier and fuller sound whilst keeping their Progressive Sludge/Stoner Metal dynamics intact.
Subterfuge is perhaps Radian’s standout record where they have delivered their first undeniable “classic” record and I’m a huge fan of what they’ve released with their previous two albums. Though on Subterfuge it feels like they’ve found the “WINNING” creative formula they can move forward and make a real name for themselves within the underground scene. When the music and story fully hits hard then there’s no stopping RADIAN expanding and defining their own musical legacy with intense music that will leave you breathless at times.
The production values are off the scale which isn’t surprising when you consider the talent behind the scenes who helped make this record. Subterfuge was recorded and engineered by Mike Burns and engineered the album, except for the bass which was recorded by Brian “BeZo” Zorich. Sanford Parker at Hypercube (Voivod, Darkthrone, YOB) mixed the album and mastering duties were handled by Collin Jordan at Boiler Room Mastering (Ministry, Eyehategod, Spirit Adrift).
Subterfuge is a record that has it all. It’s an undeniably brilliant and thrilling sonic fuelled experience that leaves you wanting more and perhaps that little bit excited to see what the future holds for RADIAN. This is a genuine ALBUM OF THE YEAR contender. It's as simple as that!!!
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Earsplit PR for the promo.
Subterfuge is available to buy now on DD/Vinyl via El Burno Records, and Third House Communications.
Links
Facebook | BandCamp | Instagram
