Today we have the privilege of sharing an early stream of “The Obscure Light Awaits” the title track taken from ‘The Obscure Light Awaits‘ the sophomore full-length album from Vicenza, Italy-based technical/dissonant death metal act SONUM. At it since 2018 and now pared down to a trio from their original quintet status we find these folks sharply honing in on their own vision of modern death metal which takes cues from ‘old school’ classicism as well as the dissonant and atmospheric extremes of today. This particular song kicks off the second half of the album with a bang, matching the energy of the opener while making further use of the orchestral elements featured throughout the release. The band comment further on their intent, their evolution and some key points of inspiration:
“Our new album, ‘The Obscure Light Awaits’, reflects a continuous evolution and a compositional approach that moves away from traditional structures in favour of a more experimental take on death metal. This second single, the album’s title track, is an intense track that pushes our sound and concept into less familiar territory. The atmosphere is dark and immersive, exploring themes of oblivion and the dissolution of human existence. The sound remains relentless yet we tried to add something new, maintaining a key element for us: melody. We alternate dissonant, corrosive riffs with engaging melodic refrains, incorporate doom-inspired slow passages with martial undertones and unsettling orchestral arrangements, before leading into intricate, claustrophobic sections.
One of the most noticeable aspects of this new album is the change in vocals. Thomas, previously the bassist, has taken over as frontman. His voice is sharper and more aggressive compared to the deeper tone on our previous record, bringing a rawer energy and a fresh dynamic to the music. From the opening cry of “Darkness!” to the ‘final release’, the track takes us through a whirlwind of chaos and order, questioning the nature of existence and offering an apocalyptic and mystical vision of death—not just as an end, but as a gateway to final revelation.
In our opinion, ‘The Obscure Light Awaits’ represents an important creative step for SONUM. We have aimed to balance brutality, atmosphere and experimentation, drawing inspiration from bands such as Deathspell Omega, Execration, Obliteration, and Ulcerate, while striving to carve out our own space in an increasingly crowded extreme metal scene”.
Thanks goes out to Sonum, Dusktone, and their representatives for the opportunity to share this song early. Scroll down to the YouTube embed below to finalize your descent… As always, please do your best to support the worldwide death metal underground and grab a copy on vinyl LP, CD and digital on April 11th, 2025.:
Per the Press Release:
Dusktone is proud to announce the forthcoming release of “The Obscure Light Awaits”, the second full-length album by Italian death metal visionaries SONUM.
Mark your calendars for 11th April 2025, as the band returns to the forefront of death metal with a record that masterfully balances abstraction and ferocity.
The new single, the album’s title track “The Obscure Light Awaits”, is now premiering via the mighty Mystification Zine HERE.
Following the critical acclaim of their debut, “Visceral Void Entropy” (2022), SONUM delve deeper into the labyrinthine realms of dissonance and atmosphere. “The Obscure Light Awaits” is an ambitious work that simultaneously pushes boundaries and honours the roots of the genre. The album eschews unnecessary complexity in favour of a tight focus on songwriting, weaving together intricate, sibylline passages with a raw, unrelenting power that shows the influence of the pioneering works of old and contemporary death metal legends such as Gorguts, Morbid Angel, Execration and Artificial Brain.
A true testament to SONUM’s evolution, “The Obscure Light Awaits” presents a sonic journey defined by dark, otherworldly textures and relentless energy. The band’s ability to merge atmospheric depth with crushing riffs showcases their commitment to creating music that is both immersive and uncompromising. It’s an exploration of contrasts – between the abstract and the visceral, the chaotic and the structured.
Fans of progressive and atmospheric death metal will find “The Obscure Light Awaits” to be a landmark release that stands tall amidst this year’s most formidable works.
Stay tuned for more singles and further announcements as we approach the release date.
Tracklist:
01. Due To Inner Mess…
02. In This Void We Dwell
03. Famine
04. Trapped In The Labyrinth of Aberration
05. Ad Mortem (Iter Est)
06. Beyond The Gate…
07. The Obscure Light Awaits
08. Nobody Is Innocent
09. Messenger Of Cosmic Dread
10. Deliver Us (Final Trip)
Line-up:
Thomas Girardello – Vocals, Bass
Mirko Marchesini – Guitars
Francesco Tresca – Drums
All songs produced by SONUM
Mixed & Mastered by Luca Dal Lago
SONUM
<strong>Help Support Grizzly Butts’ goals with a donation:</strong>
Please consider donating directly to site costs and project funding using PayPal.
$1.00
mystificationzine.com 