French Black/Death metal veterans, TEMPLE OF BAAL, have set “Mysterium” as the title of their next full-length album, due on October 2nd via Agonia Records, and “Divine Scythe” as the first single to be released. The song, which features guest vocals by Georges Balafas (Drowning, Eibon, Decline Of The I) is available for listening below:

In their over 15 years-long career, marked by four full-lengths and numerous split releases, the highly respected French coven TEMPLE OF BAAL have evolved from a primitive Black/Thrash outfit into a monstrous Black/Death Metal entity of epic dimensions. “Verses Of Fire”, the last album (2013), was acclaimed worldwide as a milestone in the band’s career, allowing TEMPLE OF BAAL to perform at notable festivals such as Hellfest, Motocultor, Summer Breeze, Kings Of Black Metal and Speyer Grey Mass. The formation also played selected shows in France, Finland, Germany, Switzerland and Austria, sharing the stage with the likes of Watain, Antaeus etc.

As the album’s title suggests, “Mysterium” dwells on the topics of spirituality and religiosity. “From the opener, Lord Of Knowledge And Death, to the closing number, All In Your Name, every inch of this record drips with it” – comments the band. “Mysterium can be seen a collection of meditations and prayers over the mysteries of Faith, directed towards the gods of the left hand path”.

Musically, TEMPLE OF BAAL‘s Black Metal roots are back in full force, allowing the atmospheres to develop through songs of epic proportions, mostly clocking around 8 or 9 minutes each. “Mysterium” covers a wide musical specter, from slower ritualistic parts, to furious blasts and thrashy riffs or the surprisingly melodic choirs of “Magna Gloria Tua” and “Hosanna”, each song taking the listener into a spiritual journey, evolving through various climates, keeping the listener’s mind awake. “I never got that much into monotonous, uniform albums” – says band’s leader Amduscias. “I like music to take my mind from one point to another. Even if I have a strict view of what TEMPLE OF BAAL should be, stagnation is not something I’m very fond of.”

The recording of “Mysterium” took place in Hybreed Studios with long-time sound engineer, Andrew Guillotin (Glorior Belli, Mourning Dawn), who managed to capture the band’s trademark massive sounding, magnifying it through a warm and organic production. Cover artwork and layout have been prepared by David Fitt (Aosoth, Secrets of the Moon, Svart Crown) and Maria Yakhnenko.

Paying tribute to their old school roots, TEMPLE OF BAAL covers Bathory for the second time, with the song “The Golden Walls Of Heaven” closing the vinyl edition as a bonus track.

“Mysterium” will be available in:
– 6 panel digipack CD witt 16 pages booklet
– regular gatefold double black vinyl
– limited to 150 hand-numbered copies double gatefold vinyl (including one picture disc and one black vinyl)
– t-shirt

Pre-orders are available here:
https://www.agoniarecords.com/index.php?pos=shop&lang=en

Tracklist:
1-Lord Of Knowledge And Death
2-Magna Gloria Tua
3-Divine Scythe
4-Hosanna
5-Dictum Ignis
6-Black Redeeming Flame
7-Holy Art Thou
8-All In Your Name
9-The Golden Walls Of Heaven (Bathory Cover, vinyl bonus track)

Upcoming shows:
Summer Breeze Festival, 14 August, Dinkelsbühl, Germany
Fall Of Summer Festival, 5 September, Torcy, France
Dark Night Festival, 7 November, Chambéry, France
(More dates TBA)

Temple Of Baal on-line:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Temple-Of-Baal/20135072962
Twitter : https://twitter.com/Templeofbaal
Youtube : https://www.youtube.com/user/Templeofbaal
Soundcloud : https://soundcloud.com/templeofbaal

Agonia Records:
Website: http://agoniarecords.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/agoniarecords
Twitter: https://twitter.com/agoniarecords
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/agoniarecords
YouTube: http://youtube.com/AgoniaRec
Bandcamp: https://agoniarecords.bandcamp.com/