Last month, it was announced that decade-spanning doom/sludge metal vets Sourvein would be back with their long-awaited Metal Blade Records debut, Aquatic Occult. Featuring guest performances by Lamb of God's Randy Blythe (vocals, organ), Amebix's Stig Miller (guitar), Corrosion of Conformity's Reed Mullin (drums) and many others, the album is described by frontman T-Roy as the record he wanted to make at a time when his life was at its bleakest.

Scheduled to hit stores on April 8th, Aquatic Occult isn't just an album about trudging through the depths of a dangerous, mythological underwater world inspired by T-Roy's home surroundings of Cape Fear, NC - it's an unforgiving sonic pummeling that has followed years of pain prevailed. A powerful Aquatic Occult cut that truly encompasses both theme and inspiration, "Aquanaut", is streaming below.

"Aquanaut" also features some friends of T-Roy's - performing lead guitar on the track is Dean Berry, formerly of English sludge metal vets Iron Monkey. In addition, Chris Holcombe and Joel Martin of sludge metal outfit Subrig Destroyer provide drums and additional rhythm guitar, respectively. They join Sourvein mainstays Kevin Rochelle (Sea of Tyrants) on guitar, Lou Gorra on bass, and of course, T-Roy on vocals.

"'Aquanaut' is a fun tune, it was a main riff I had for awhile; it turned out cool on tape," states frontman T-Roy. "It's about being underwater, descending to the depths, looking for a sunken ship and finding your way back. I had Dean Berry from Iron Monkey do the lead guitar - he killed it, as did the other guests on this track - the Subrig Destroyer guys Chris and Joel from Athens, GA. Hope everyone digs the track!"

Aquatic Occult is produced by Mike Dean and mastered by Brad Boatright (Sleep, Yob). Pre-orders for Aquatic Occult are available now in CD, vinyl, and digital formats at Metal Blade.

Aquatic Occult tracklisting:

“Tempest (Of Desire)” (feat. Stig Miller) *
“Avian Dawn” *
“Ocypuss” (feat. Randy Blythe, Mike Dean) *
“Aquanaut” (feat. Dean Berry)
“Hymn to Poseidon” *
“Mermaids” *
“Urchins”
“In the Wind” *
“Cape Fearian” *
“Capsized” (feat. Dave Capps) *
“High Tide”
“Bermuda Sundown” (feat. Keith Kirkum)
“Coral Bones” *
“Oceanic Procession” (feat. Stig Miller, Randy Blythe on organ) *

* Reed Mullin on drums

"Aquanaut":

"Ocypuss":

"Aquatic Occult promises to be heavier than a two-ton anchor dropped into an antique porcelain bathtub - it's going to break things," comments guest vocalist Randy Blythe. "This record sees Sourvein at their most musical and focused of any recording to date."

"Finally man, finally, my years of hard work have paid off," says T-Roy, reflecting on the lengthy, gruelling trek that brought his band to Metal Blade's roster. He adds, "'Aquatic Occult' is going to bring the truth. The lyrics are reality to me; I don't write about cars or chicks or horror movies, I write about the sacrifice and struggle, all the stuff I saw growing up and what I see now. But I want it to be positive, to let people know that there is a way out of bad times and tough situations."

Stay tuned for more information, tracks, and other exclusives coming soon from Sourvein.

Sourvein lineup:

T-Roy - vocals/guitar
Lou Gorra - bass
Dig - drums

(Photo - D. Randall Blythe)