Photo Credits: Natasha Villamizar

“There’s torment in this unconventional Black Metal too, in the tension that coils within the rapidly whirring guitar and in the hammering drive of the drums. Much darker and more depressive moods come forth in a wailing melody whose chime-like and dream-like tones contrast with the scalding intensity of the vocals, the bursts of percussive riot, and the marrow-deep bass throb.” (No Clean Singing)

Prior to its official release on April 19th, Latin American Black Metal project SELBST reveals a complete stream of next-level new album “Despondency Chord Progressions“. The band’s third offering consists of seven tracks, each one a riveting expression of fresh, focused and fervent Black Metal. The album enhances the band’s trademark passionate and ‘dissonant’ sound with added layers of complex depth, increased melodicism and elevated songwriting acumen.

Discover the album through the Black Metal Promotion YouTube channel:

In dialogue with Hungary’s Hammerworld magazine, composer and multi-instrumentalist N, discusses his new artistic creation:

“The new album is nothing more than the result of what has been flowing within me over time when I am alone with my guitar and my thoughts. I am a person with somewhat varied musical tastes, so perhaps, unconsciously, I wanted this to be reflected in a new work. I can assure you that I don’t make an exhaustive plan when I start composing; I just let things come to the surface and try out certain “textures,” so there is a lot of trial and error in the process. After finishing composing “Relatos…” I remember being very creatively exhausted, and this is something that happens every time I finish a new work. So, it takes me time to take back the reins of composition. Still, I have always been composing some ideas and playing because it is important to consider Picasso’s advice, if I’m not mistaken, that creativity must find you working. I always apply it.”

SELBST‘s third album, “Despondency Chord Progressions,” is set for release on April 19th across multiple formats – CD, vinyl, tape, and digital. A new t-shirt design will accompany the launch. Pre-orders are available through the label’s EU, US (no merch), and Bandcamp stores.

SELBST was formed 2010 in Venezuela by multi-instrumentalist/lyricist N and vocalist Frozen, releasing their initial demo “Veritas Filia Temporis” shortly afterwards. In 2016 N moved to Chile to search out new collaborators and opportunities. The resultant self-titled full-length, featuring vocals by N. Onfray of ANIMUS MORTIS, was released in 2017 to great underground acclaim.

In 2018 N became SELBST‘s lead vocalist and the project turned into a fully-fledged live band, taking to the stage for the first time as the next step of their evolution. The band unleashed second album, “Relatos de Angustia“, in 2020 – a universally praised, deep and challenging record which rewarded repeat listens.

SELBST subsequently honed their artistry and the band’s evolution into a formidable live act was marked by the 2023 digital release of live album, “Vortex Of Anguish And Death“.

As SELBST reaches its 14th year, visionary N is now poised to reveal the band’s third and most compelling album yet. Titled “Despondency Chord Progressions,” this landmark release will emerge on April 19th through Debemur Morti Productions and further refines the intricate, shadowy depths of their already sophisticated sound.

Photo Credits: Natasha Villamizar

“Despondency Chord Progressions“, the latest masterwork from Latin American Black Metal band SELBST, will be released on April 19th. Part-recorded at the fittingly named Unpleasant Records in Santiago, Chile, the new album consists of seven dynamic compositions which blend introspection and aggression with a mind-altering sense of melody.

As another pre-release taster, SELBST now unveils a second new track from the impending full-length. ‘When True Loneliness is Experienced‘ is a vast and hypnotically engrossing Black Metal soundscape, showcasing the artistic virtuosity of main-composer N. The piece gradually builds in intensity, from an opening of plaintive guitar melodies into crystalline chant-like vocals, vigorous riffing and thunderous drumming.

N comments:

“I couldn’t recall the exact moment when I started developing it because, for me, composition is a very gradual process. I think everything started with the main riff from the intro. Then, I was very inspired by the band CAMEL, a classic. I wasn’t intentionally trying to copy anything from them, but I remember being deeply touched by those guitar solo tones. The guitar is a very magical instrument for me; I just love it, and I wish I could do so much more with it, so for me, it can evoke all kinds of feelings, plenty of reflection. That’s why the intro of this song is very singular in comparison with the rest of the pieces of the album and to the overall feeling of the song. Music allows you to play with moods and sensations by manipulating tempos, intensities, tunings, chords… And this is something that, with my limited knowledge, I am pleased to portray.

The two tracks released in advance certainly show much of what is contained in the album, but not its entirety. I have taken more vocal risks, even achieving things I never thought possible before, as in my previous album, where I had to invite someone to sing certain parts. It’s interesting that those who listen to this album knowing my previous work may feel that they have been growing and maturing musically with me. Music is a constant process of learning and evolving, and sometimes artists are not very willing to embrace it.“

Lyrically, ‘When True Loneliness is Experienced‘ resonates with the band’s long-established melancholy aesthetic, as N elucidates:

“We all are born and die alone. And for much of our lives, many of us will truly be alone for long periods. But by this, I mean much more than just momentary or occasional physical loneliness; here I refer to the feeling of being so tremendously and bitterly alone that, no matter how many individuals you may have around you, you never truly feel reflected in anyone, which only isolates and feeds your self-contempt. And this is due to your own alienated nature, which does not allow you to feel any deep and hopeful closeness.“

In addition, do immerse yourself in the earlier released album track, ‘Chant Of Self Confrontation‘, available here with its accompanying video:

SELBST‘s third album, “Despondency Chord Progressions,” is set for release on April 19th across multiple formats – CD, vinyl, tape, and digital. A new t-shirt design will accompany the launch. Pre-orders are available through the label’s EU, US (no merch), and Bandcamp stores.

SELBST was formed 2010 in Venezuela by multi-instrumentalist/lyricist N and vocalist Frozen, releasing their initial demo “Veritas Filia Temporis” shortly afterwards. In 2016 N moved to Chile to search out new collaborators and opportunities. The resultant self-titled full-length, featuring vocals by N. Onfray of ANIMUS MORTIS, was released in 2017 to great underground acclaim.

In 2018 N became SELBST‘s lead vocalist and the project turned into a fully-fledged live band, taking to the stage for the first time as the next step of their evolution. The band unleashed second album, “Relatos de Angustia“, in 2020 – a universally praised, deep and challenging record which rewarded repeat listens.

SELBST subsequently honed their artistry and the band’s evolution into a formidable live act was marked by the 2023 digital release of live album, “Vortex Of Anguish And Death“.

As SELBST reaches its 14th year, visionary N is now poised to reveal the band’s third and most compelling album yet. Titled “Despondency Chord Progressions,” this landmark release will emerge on April 19th through Debemur Morti Productions and further refines the intricate, shadowy depths of their already sophisticated sound.

Photo Credits: Natasha Villamizar

In collaboration with Decibel magazine, Latin American Black Metal band SELBST unveil an entrancing first offering from their upcoming third album “Despondency Chord Progressions”. ‘Chant Of Self Confrontation’ beautifully contrasts icy riffs, thundering percussion and piercing vocals with moments of melodic respite which feature haunting clean vocals and captivating lead guitars.

Artist Fabio Rincones took care of the video production, also lending his talents to the album cover design. The visuals were captured in the scenic locales of Mérida (Venezuela) and Santiago (Chile).

Composer N delves into the narrative behind the song and video:

“Musically, it was one of the songs that flowed the fastest during the composition process and was the first one I worked on for this record, which somehow set the course for the rest of the songs. Compositionally, both guitars (lead and rhythm) don’t seem to go together or in unison throughout the whole song, but rather one passes through the other, presenting some slightly complex figures that could work perfectly on their own, but in this case, they are intertwined. Lyrically, the song is based on the internal struggles that an individual must endure, on how guilt, fear, or feeling tormented by a past event can pursue you. That’s why I instructed Fabio to develop this struggle and personify it in a figurative way if you will. He and his team achieved much more than that with the scenes of the girls, who also did an excellent job!

I also had the immense pleasure of meeting Alex from AVERSIO HUMANITATIS in person, here in Santiago, who was the first vocalist for SELBST years back. He is a friend, and an audiovisual director so he helped me with some shots of myself. He was here for a few days and took the time to chat and do the recordings. It was a really nice gesture from him, I really appreciate it.

I wanted to give this video a special touch compared to the one released a couple of years ago for the previous album. So, it was a very special and interesting experience to be in front of a camera for this purpose…“

The album “Despondency Chord Progressions” will be released via Debemur Morti Productions on April 19th. It showcases an accomplished blend of introspection and fervor, embodied in seven exquisitely crafted compositions flowing with passionate melodies:

01. La encarnación de todos los miedos
02. When True Loneliness Is Experienced
03. Third World Wretchedness
04. Chant Of Self Confrontation
05. The One Who Blackens Everything
06. Between Seclusion And Obsession
07. The Stench Of A Dead Spirit

N is responsible for all composition, music and lyrics. Guitars, bass and vocals were captured by N at Unpleasant Records. Drums were performed by Jonathan Heredia and recorded by Simón Da Silva of AVERSIO HUMANITATIS, who also mixed and mastered the album at The Empty Hall Studio.

N delves into the significance of the album’s title and its cover artwork:

“Following a bit of what was presented in my previous offering (“Relatos de Angustia“) and considering that there is no overarching theme connecting all the tracks as in a conceptual album, I wanted the title to somehow encompass the tone in terms of lyrics that were being expressed throughout the seven tracks that make up the entirety of this recording. For me, these themes bear witness to the times we are living in and that I have witnessed — discouraging and violent times where everything seems to be slowly but inexorably approaching an almost certain global decline. Also, because this time I allowed myself (or perhaps it just flowed this way) to explore musically some other textures that I hadn’t exploited before. I found the idea interesting that this perhaps more melancholic and musically mature aspect would also be somehow reflected in the title. Therefore, “Despondency Chord Progressions” I believe is a very open but at the same time precise way of defining what this record contains.

When it comes to the artwork: From the very moment of conception, all creatures are condemned to the overwhelming indifference of nature, and because of this, to death. This is something that we, as humans, cannot escape, being even weaker than many other species. I believe that the innate fragility of our species is reflected in this art, in addition to the indifference with which nature and life itself treat us along our tortuous path. This is why this artwork represents both the beginning and the end of our journey. All at once.“

SELBST‘s third album, “Despondency Chord Progressions,” is set for release across multiple formats – CD, vinyl, tape, and digital – via Debemur Morti Productions on April 19th. A new t-shirt design will accompany the launch. Pre-orders are available through our EU, US (no merch), and Bandcamp stores.

SELBST was formed 2010 in Venezuela by multi-instrumentalist/lyricist N and vocalist Frozen, releasing their initial demo “Veritas Filia Temporis” shortly afterwards. In 2016 N moved to Chile to search out new collaborators and opportunities. The resultant self-titled full-length, featuring vocals by N. Onfray of ANIMUS MORTIS, was released in 2017 to great underground acclaim.

In 2018 N became SELBST‘s lead vocalist and the project turned into a fully-fledged live band, taking to the stage for the first time as the next step of their evolution. The band unleashed second album, “Relatos de Angustia“, in 2020 – a universally praised, deep and challenging record which rewarded repeat listens.

SELBST subsequently honed their artistry and the band’s evolution into a formidable live act was marked by the 2023 digital release of live album, “Vortex Of Anguish And Death“.

As SELBST reaches its 14th year, visionary N is now poised to reveal the band’s third and most compelling album yet. Titled “Despondency Chord Progressions,” this landmark release will emerge on April 19th through Debemur Morti Productions and further refines the intricate, shadowy depths of their already sophisticated sound.