US atmospheric black metallers GHOST BATH are set to release their fourth full-length album, “Self Loather“ on October 29th via Nuclear Blast Records. On the album, the band closes out the trilogy – tragedy, ecstasy, and dread/hatred – and hosts their most devastating and dark music to date. 

Frontman Dennis Mikula has shared an insight into the recording of the album, exclusively with Metal Shock Finland. He outlines the equipment used and how he personally prepared for and approached the recording process. An interview will coming up nearer the release of “Self Loather”.

Photo By Jenn Johnson Photography

Dennis explained:

“Prior to the recording process for the Self Loather album, I knew I needed to approach things different than ever before. I had experimented with a Keto diet before while training in boxing and knew the type of energy and focused mind it had given me, so I decided that could be a good place to start. Eventually, I developed my daily rules and regiments as the following:

No Sugar
No alcohol
Fasting for 16 hours a day
50 grams or less a day of carbs
Run for 1 Mile a day
Lift for 1 hour a day
Practice Guitar through the album once, alone, with a candle burning in the dark to better my memorization and my wrist endurance
Practice vocals through at least 1 song a day, with warm ups beforehand

I ended up following this perfectly for two months (Around 60 days) prior and during the recording of Self Loather. It ended up being an interesting experience, and one that I believe put me in the best mindset, and the best physically, I could have been to complete the grueling recording process.

Not only do I believe each element of this had their own unique contribution, but I think that the act itself of getting into a strict routine, a ritual of sorts, put me in a place I could never have been otherwise. 

Our sound is just an extension of this philosophy. I strive to use instruments that are not common in the craft of metal, and especially black metal. I strongly prefer single coil guitars, namely a telecaster. And I use an Orange Rockerverb.

For this album in particular, I bought all new gear. An extensive list of parts from gold-plated Mogami cables, to Fender Tre-Verb pedals, to a brand new Fender American Original 60’s Telecaster. I even used the vintage ‘57 grey bottom pickups. The vintage style guitar really set my tone apart on this record and I could be more happy with it.

Overall, I think my message is to try something new. Try something different. Don’t just accept a certain way of doing things or a certain way of playing just because everyone does it. Because then all you’ll create is a boring cookie-cutter sound. Make art. Make YOUR art.”

Check out the new video for ‘Convince Me To Bleed’:

 The video was edited and directed by Austin Scherzberg as well as written and co-directed by John Olivier.

GHOST BATH’s fourth full-length sets the mood meter to desolation/antipathy—and never quite lets go. Produced by the band with Xander Moser engineering at Tree Speak Recording Studio in Minneapolis and mixed by Jack Shirley (DEAFHEAVEN, BOSSE-DE-NAGE) at The Atomic Garden Recording Studios in Oakland, “Self Loather” is a sonic exercise in shadow, nuance, and, most of all, power. The band enlisted Zdzisław Beksiński to create the cover artwork which was licensed through the Muzeum Historyczne w Sanoku.

 “Self Loather” Track List:

1. Convince Me to Bleed
2. Hide from the Sun  (feat. CJ McMahon of THY ART IS MURDER) 
3. Shrines of Bone
4. Sanguine Mask
5. Crystal Lattice
6. Sinew and Vein (feat. Graf of PSYCHONAUT 4)
7. I hope death finds me well
8. For it is a Veil
9. Unbearable
10. Flickering Wicks of Black

GHOST BATH is:
Dennis Mikula | Vocals, Guitar, Piano, Synths, Lyrics
Tim Church | Guitar
John Olivier | Guitar
Josh Jaye | Bass
Jason Hirt | Drums

Photo By Austin Scherzberg

Pre-order your copy of “Self Loather” here: 
www.nuclearblast.com/ghostbath-selfloather (US only)

Pre-save the album digitally here: https://bfan.link/ghostbath-selfloather