Release Date: September 04th 2026. Record Label: Third House Communication. Format: CD/DD/Tape/Vinyl
Hellward - Tracklist
1.Embedded
2.Chains
3.Altar of Ecstasy
4.Vore
5.Anchored
6.Hellward
7.Worn in Stone
8.I am the Guillotine
Members
Chris Cruz - Drums
Dustin Mendel - Vocals
T Garrett O’Sha - Guitar
John Rau - Guitar & Vocals
Gabe Whitcomb - Bass
Additional Instrumentation
Carl Byers - Keys on Altar of Ecstasy, 12 String & Feedback on Vore
Chris Cruz - Guitar Solo on Embedded
John Rau - Keys & 12 String on Anchored, Shaker on Hellward, Classical on I am the Guillotine
Review
Doom/Sludge Metallers Veilcaste return with their new album Hellward and allows the band to be closer aligned to the likes of Mastodon, High On Fire, Neurosis, YOB, Monolord and Motorhead. These are bands that allow the band to solidify their intense style of Progressive Sludge Metal which has the great style of Psych, Doom, Ambient Metal and Stoner Metal compounds for perhaps their most aggressive and catchiest album yet.
Hellward allows Velicaste to offer a heavier style of SONIC fuelled melodies with a sprinkling of Thrash Metal madness within the first half of the record on tracks such as Hellward, Chains and Altar Of Ecstasy. The vocals from Dustin Mendel and John Rau have a great contrast to each other especially when the chanting based vocals appear. This gives Veilcaste a slight Space Rock edge with the rest of the band instantly becoming Spaced Out Riff Wizards but with an intense gloomy delivery that’s played throughout your speakers.
The lyrics are quite aggressive and have that classic HIGH ON FIRE and MASTODON energy to them with a real grounded sense to them. The use of LOW & SLOW mechanics is another great aspect that Veilcaste have been using more and more on their last few releases. This elevates their Psych Metal aspect of their sound to a heavier level of ambient awareness as Veilcaste’s music becomes more Post-Doom and Spaced Out obsessive right up to the very end.
Hellward once again undergoes a minor creative shift with a harsh Post-Metallic within the excellent standout tracks of Altar Of Ecstasy and Vore with intricate Sludge Metal rhythms being quite direct though it’s the brutality of the lyrics that make the real impression. Veilcaste pull no punches with their lyrics as you feel you’re getting knocked out by those alone and I loved when the band ventured into Post-Rock surroundings but still maintaining their Heavy Metal composure.
The second half of the album has a frenzied Post-Metal atmosphere with a real end of the world quality as Veilcaste offer a bleaker narrative with faster grooves and violent fuzzier sonic melodies with hidden distorted guitars being demonstrated on tracks: Anchored and Hellward.
The record does become quite fantastical but it works to Veilcaste’s advantage as they bring a real classic Science Fiction and Horror aspect to the record which makes the album really standout. The duelling vocals from Duston and John feel like they’re completely battling each other for complete control on where the album is meant to go. This is thrilling and violently loud spectacle to experience with Velicaste unexpectedly adding layers of Drone and Distortion to their sound which gives Hellward quite an unpredictable quality.
Credit must also got to the other band members of Veilcaste (Chris Cruz - Drums, T Garrett O’Sha - Guitar and Gabe Whitcomb - Bass) as they also play their part in creating an absolute masterclass of modern day Doom/Sludge Metal that has a classic Post-Metal attitude bringing massive waves of destructive grooves to annihilate everything in Veilcaste’s wake.
Hellward is perhaps the album that finally allows Veilcaste to get noticed outside the confinements of the underground Heavy Metal scene and propel them onto greater things. The guys deserve this as they have delivered with their best record to date which leaves you wholly satisfied even if you are left emotionally drained and a shivering wreck when listening to this amazing album.
Words by Steve Howe
Thanks to Third House Communications and Blood Wisdom PR for the promo.
Hellward is available to buy now on CD, Digital Download, Tape and Vinyl via Third House Communications.
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