“It flickers.
Last glimmer,
Ultimate light.
Then nothing
…
So many questions,
So few answers.
It all ends tonight.” (‘Nenokatasukuni’)

Building upon their opulent and darkly captivating debut “Xibalba“, cinematic Black Metal ensemble ERSHETU – featuring composer Sacr, conceptualist Void (DMP), and lead vocalist Vindsval (BLUT AUS NORD, FORHIST) – officially release an intense and mesmerizing successor: “Yomi“.

Centred around the concept of ‘kami’, the divine beings in Japan’s Shinto tradition, the album is a rich tapestry of ritual percussion, orchestration and atmospherics. It interweaves the evocative sounds of traditional Japanese instruments such as the Koto and Shamisen with relentless, cerebral Black Metal.

Immerse yourself in the six haunting tracks below or via Bandcamp:

Press and fans alike have already bestowed praise upon ERSHETU‘s latest work of Art:

““Yomi” stands as a clear progression and an essential experience for open-minded fans of Black Metal.” (Vampster.com)

“… an absolute must-hear experience for any who like their Black Metal daring and adventurous!” (Headbanger Reviews)

“Fantastic album! The Japanese instruments blend perfectly and create a special atmosphere!” (VargTorrent / YouTube)

Find all album details here!

“Yomi” is available on CD, vinyl and digital. Orders are possible via the label’s EU, US and Bandcamp shops.

ERSHETU was founded in 2021 by conceptualist/lyricist Void and composer Sacr to create cinematic music that blends epic, obscure, and atmospheric Metal with the evocative dramatism of film scores. Each album examines the concept of ‘death’ as interpreted by different civilizations or religions.

The project’s 2023 debut, “Xibalba“, drew inspiration from Mayan folklore and sacred text the Popol Vuh, and featured the unmistakable vocals of Norway’s Lars Are Nedland (BORKNAGAR, SOLEFALD) plus bass/additional guitars by the enigmatic French artist Vindsval (BLUT AUS NORD, FORHIST).

ERSHETU‘s second work, “Yomi“, explores the death-lore of Japanese Shinto. The album features an expanded role for Vindsval – including lead vocals – and sees the band heading to deeper and darker territory.

“Yomi” was released on November 8, 2024.

Cinematic Black Metal project ERSHETU, founded in 2021 by conceptualist/lyricist Void (DMP) and composer Sacr, unveils a second glimpse into their upcoming album, “Yomi“.

Listen to the album’s third track, ‘Sekiryō‘, on DMP’s YouTube channel, below, and via Bandcamp.

”Sekiryō‘ merges the raw intensity of Black Metal with rich cinematic atmospheres. Opening with haunting ambient textures, the track explodes into fierce guitars, blast beats, and chilling vocals from Vindsval (BLUT AUS NORD, FORHIST). A serene midsection of ethereal soundscapes and melodic guitars offers a brief respite before a powerful, thunderous finale which showcases ERSHETU‘s distinctive fusion of contrasting styles.

Composer Sacr shares his thoughts on the creation and structure of ‘Sekiryō‘:

“‘Sekiryō‘ could have started with a long section played solely on the Koto (from 0:16 to 2:39), but in the end, I preferred to integrate guitars, bass, and drums because I felt it would have made the introduction too long. This opening passage is, for me, interesting because it gradually builds emotional intensity before releasing, like someone resisting death until they finally let go and free their soul. It leads to a sense of peace.

After that, the track maintains a certain slowness with different dark atmospheres, until the shift to a faster rhythm with a very Japanese-inspired melody.

Vindsval really unleashed his creativity on this track. His vocals are incredible! It’s like souls crying out, hoping for redemption. At least, that’s how it feels to me.“

Lead vocalist Vindsval adds:

“I took my time before agreeing to record all of “Yomi”s vocal parts, as Lars had done an incredible job on the first album, and stepping in for him was a particularly daunting task. Ultimately, I decided to approach the project in a radically different manner. I don’t possess his vocal abilities or mastery of singing, and attempting to imitate him would have been an absurd idea destined to fail. Instead, I worked as I do with BLUT AUS NORD, using my voice as an instrument in its own right. I never prioritize vocals in my mixes; rather, I treat them as an integral part of the arrangement that serves the compositions, and the atmosphere created by the music. This is evident in “Yomi” and in this second excerpt, where you can hear a blend of many distinct voices, ensuring that the composer’s intention remains intact.“

Find all info about “Yomi” here!

“Yomi” will be released on CD, vinyl – including exclusive DMP editions (CD/vinyl) – and digital via Debemur Morti on November 8th. A specifically designed t-shirt will accompany the launch. Pre-orders are available via the label’s EU, US and Bandcamp shop.

ERSHETU was founded in 2021 by conceptualist/lyricist Void and composer Sacr to create cinematic music that blends epic, obscure, and atmospheric Metal with the evocative dramatism of film scores. Each album examines the concept of ‘death’ as interpreted by different civilizations or religions.

The project’s 2023 debut, “Xibalba“, drew inspiration from Mayan folklore and sacred text the Popol Vuh, and featured the unmistakable vocals of Norway’s Lars Are Nedland (BORKNAGAR, SOLEFALD) plus bass/additional guitars by the enigmatic French artist Vindsval (BLUT AUS NORD, FORHIST).

ERSHETU‘s upcoming second work, “Yomi“, explores the death-lore of Japanese Shinto. The album features an expanded role for Vindsval – including lead vocals – and sees the band heading to deeper and darker territory.

“Yomi” is set for release on November 8, 2024.

Following up their 2023 debut “Xibalba“, cinematic Black Metal project ERSHETU, led by conceptualist/lyricist Void and composer Sacr, presents a second offering. New album “Yomi” finds the band growing in confidence and stature, heading to deeper and darker climes as they immerse themselves in the death folklore of Japanese Shinto.

Tracklist:

01. Ketsurui
02. Jikoku
03. Sekiryō
04. Abikyōkan
05. Kagutsuchi
06. Nenokatasukuni

As with the debut, Vindsval (BLUT AUS NORD, FORHIST) returns on bass and additional guitars. However, in line with the album’s concept, he also assumes lead vocal duties on “Yomi“, translating the inner voice of the kami via the authority of his tortured snarl and hypnotic choirs.

The album was recorded and mixed by V. at Earthsound Studio and mastered by Bruno Varea at Upload Studio, with artwork/design by Maciej Kamuda and poetry by Manon Gayet.

Composer Sacr shares insights into the conceptual background of “Yomi“:

“Void and I love Japanese culture, especially for its history, mythology, Buddhism and, of course, its sounds. This country is fascinating because of its high-tech side and its attachment to ancestral customs. It was a completely natural choice for us. There are no similarities between “Xibalba” and “Yomi” because this time, we are addressing death linked to a religion that is still practiced by more than 90 million people today. The Mayans were a civilization. The approach is therefore different – from my point of view.“

ERSHETU introduces “Yomi” via opening track, ‘Ketsurui‘, paired with a haunting video directed by David Tomanek. Watch the clip below and stream the song on Bandcamp:

‘Ketsurui‘ perfectly represents the mesmerizing qualities of “Yomi” where ritual percussion, orchestration and atmospherics – including tones derived from the Koto, Shamisen and other traditional musical instruments of Japan – meet full-throttle and cerebral Black Metal power, as earworm melodies resolve into tumultuous states of mind and shadowed existential meditations.

Sacr elaborates further:

“‘Ketsurui‘ started from a melody; that of the introduction played on the Japanese Koto. The title is quite rich in atmosphere and melody. I wanted to explore the different possibilities with all the instruments including the Shamisen, the Shakuhachi (flute) and the Koto without losing sight of the cinematographic aspect of the music; all sublimated by the incredible voices of Vindsval. This track, and the album in general, is very different from “Xibalba“. “Xibalba” was the jungle, nature, divine incantations, tribal percussions…here, we are more in spirituality and, somewhere, in the spiritual quest for death. Death is one of the 4 sufferings inherent in life in Nishiren Buddhism. “Yomi” is in a way, a spiritual journey to overcome one’s fear of death.“

Follow ERSHETU on Facebook and Instagram!

“Yomi” will be released on CD, vinyl – including exclusive DMP editions (CD/vinyl) – and digital via Debemur Morti on November 8th. A specifically designed t-shirt will accompany the launch. Pre-orders are available via the label’s EU, US and Bandcamp shop.

ERSHETU was founded in 2021 by conceptualist/lyricist Void and composer Sacr to create cinematic music that blends epic, obscure, and atmospheric Metal with the evocative dramatism of film scores. Each album examines the concept of ‘death’ as interpreted by different civilizations or religions.

The project’s 2023 debut, “Xibalba“, drew inspiration from Mayan folklore and sacred text the Popol Vuh, and featured the unmistakable vocals of Norway’s Lars Are Nedland (BORKNAGAR, SOLEFALD) plus bass/additional guitars by the enigmatic French artist Vindsval (BLUT AUS NORD, FORHIST).

ERSHETU‘s upcoming second work, “Yomi“, explores the death-lore of Japanese Shinto. The album features an expanded role for Vindsval – including lead vocals – and sees the band heading to deeper and darker territory.

“Yomi” is set for release on November 8, 2024.