Following their signing to Prosthetic Records and successful tours across both the West and East Coasts of the United States, Oakland, CA’s DAWN OF OUROBOROS are set to release their sophomore album, Velvet Incandescence, via the Los Angeles label on April 21.
Formed in 2018 by lead guitarist Tony Thomas (Botanist, Cailleach Calling) and vocalist Chelsea Murphy (Cailleach Calling, Tegmentum), the blackened progressive metal group’s formative years saw DAWN OF OUROBOROS solidify their core lineup to a five-piece before releasing their debut album, The Art of Morphology, in 2020. The Art of Morphology showcased the young band’s penchant for hybridising the extreme and canorous qualities of progressive, atmospheric black and death metal, ushering in a warm reception from both fans and critics.
Invigorated by the response to their debut album DAWN OF OUROBOROS came together in November 2021 to commence recording of Velvet Incandescence, once again opting to team up with Nick Loiacono at Fang Studios in San Mateo, CA for recording and mixing, before being mastered by Jack Shirley (Deafheaven, Oathbreaker, Bosse De Nage) at The Atomic Garden Studio. Placing an emphasis on melody and feel above technical virtuosity, Velvet Incandescence’s eight tracks revel in sanguine triumph both musically and lyrically.
Album highlights Rise from Disillusion and Iron Whispers both rise and fall with a beguilingly ethereal quality, thanks to additional vocals provided in the form of a choir. Elsewhere, precise and calculated bursts of tremolo picking and resplendent lead guitar from both Thomas and Ian Baker (Red Rot) coalesce in dizzying fashion on Testudines. Rhythmically bolstered by the talents of David Scanlon (Deliria) on bass and Ron Bertrand (Botanist, Red Rot) on drums, album closer Velvet Moon musically encompasses Velvet Incandescence’s dual nature of serenity and volatility.
Both lyrically and vocally, DAWN OF OUROBOROS’ Chelsea Murphy interfuses a deeply personal approach with the cosmic and universally human need for healing and a feeling of home across the album’s 46 minute runtime, with tactful hope and heart at the forefront of all things over solemnity and resignation. The thematic melding of the universal and personal is conveyed in arresting fashion by album cover artist Jilly Colbert at Manfish Inc.
Three years on from their debut statement, DAWN OF OUROBOROS’ latest offering refines and redefines their sound. Velvet Incandescence will no doubt serve as a luminous spark for the quintet’s increasingly bright future.
DAWN OF OUROBOROS is:
Tony Thomas – Guitar / Synths
Chelsea Murphy – Vocals
David Scanlon – Bass
Ian Baker – Guitar / Piano
Ron Bertrand – Drums