Boston post-metal band, Junius, today releases its new LP, ‘Sotera‘, via Prosthetic Records. ‘Sotera’ is Junius’ first full-length LP in nearly a decade, following 2017’s Eternal Rituals for the Accretion of Light, a recording that Rolling Stone noted, “takes the band’s alternately soaring and crashing sound to even more diverse places.” Produced by Junius vocalist/guitarist, Joseph E. Martinez and Tom Syrowski (Mastodon, AC/DC), the quasi-conceptual ‘Sotera’, in Martinez’s words, “feels like a rebirth for the band” and “is an act of devotion as much as it is a piece of “music.” Purchase/stream Junius‘ ‘Sotera’ at this location.
“The response to ‘Sotera’, so far has been incredibly encouraging,” shares Martinez. “After nine years, there’s always a little voice in the back of your head wondering if anyone still cares, so it’s been rewarding to see listeners connect with our music again. More than anything, we’re excited to finally get these songs in front of people. ‘Sotera’ feels like a rebirth for Junius, and with a renewed lineup and our first run of shows in support of the album, it genuinely feels like the beginning of a new chapter for us. We’re grateful to everyone who’s taken the time to listen, and we can’t wait to share these songs live.”
Harmonizing bright transcendence, heightened consciousness, coiled ear-worming, and emotional swell in like degree, ‘Sotera’s’ ambient shoegaze metal is expansive and deep, best experienced unhurriedly. Call it sound as relief and release; intense undercurrents of magnetic volume attached to an almost symphonic use of motion. Fully realized music as exhilarating as it is ghostly. Whereas earlier Junius records wrestled with cataclysms, escaping Samsara and what might come after death, ‘Sotera’ shifts the focus toward something more immediate: restoring balance through the worship of the divine feminine.
Stream a new NPR interview with Junius‘ Joseph E. Martinez at this location.
“The word Sotera is the feminine form of savior or protector in Greek, and it perfectly captured what the album was circling around,” offers Martinez. “This album is a musical invocation that explores the divine feminine as a force of transformation and balance. Medea stands at the threshold. In Sotera we’re calling upon Hekate, her mother, to guide us in her resurrection. The Oracle as a loving but ignored prophet. Lucifera appears as the punished light-bringer. The Initiatrix is the one who begins the rite.”
Purchase/stream Junius‘ ‘Sotera’ at this location.
Junius has announced summer U.S. tour dates in support of ‘Sotera’. Junius will team up with Minsk for a July run leading to the group’s featured appearance at Indianapolis’ Post Fest, where the quintet will share the stage with Kylesa, Torche, and more. Junius will also embark on an east coast weekend run in early August, with shows announced in Brooklyn, NY, Somerville, MA, and Philadelphia, respectively.
The live itinerary is as follows:
July 21 – Baltimore, MD Metro Gallery w/ Minsk
July 22 – Youngstown, OH Westside Bowl (Downstairs) w/ Minsk
July 23 – Detroit, MI Sanctuary w/ Minsk
July 24 – Chicago, IL Reggies / Music Joint w/ Minsk
July 25 – Indianapolis, IN The Hifi (as part of Post Fest)
August 7 – Brooklyn, NY The Wood Shop
August 8 – Somerville, MA ONCE Ballroom (as part of Somergloom Festival)
August 9 – Philadelphia, PA Milk Boy
Get tickets here.
In addition to Joseph E. Martinez, Junius features Dana Filloon (drums), Eoghan Mccarthy (guitar), Matthew Vincenty (guitar), and Orion Wainer (bass).