Swedish post-metal septet Cult of Luna have announced that they will release the four track album, ‘Vertikal II’ on September 21st, via Indie Recordings.
The band released their sixth album, ‘Vertikal’ in January, their first in nearly five years. A concept album strongly influenced by the 1927 Fritz Lang classic Metropolis, which used a linear, structured – but still often brutal – sound to examine the themes of claustrophobic, machinist modern life, ‘Vertikal’ was a huge critical success, hailed by Kerrang as, ‘breathtaking’, and Classic Rock as ‘an instant classic’.
Eight months on, ‘Vertikal II‘, the albums sequel, continues the theme with three tracks from the writing sessions, as well as a bonus remix of the first album’s track, ‘Vicarious Redemption’. It is not clear whether ‘Vertikal II’ is intended to be considered a canon album, or simply a bonus disc. While it is only four tracks long, prog being prog, it’s still longer at 36 minutes than the output of most bands.
Discussing ‘Vertikal II’, guitarist and vocalist Johannes Persson stated:
‘Vertikal II is the continuation of our journey into the harshness of the monotone city landscape. The songs were written during the ‘Vertikal’ session and we always intended them to be released close to the album. Justin Broadrick’s remix was not a part of the original plan but since it came out phenomenally good we thought that it would fit perfectly as closer of the whole ‘Vertikal’ project. With ‘Vertikal II’, we complete and end a chapter that, for the last few years, has been a big part of our lives. Now we leave the inner city and look up into the vast void above.’
‘Vertikal II’ will be released on CD on September 21st. The track listing is as follows:
- Oro
- Light Chaser
- Shun The Mask
- Vicarious Redemption (remix by Justin K. Broadrick)
The album will also be available in very limited edition on vinyl.
Cult of Luna are currently touring Europe, and play their last UK date, The Fleece in Bristol TONIGHT. Tickets are still available. They will also perform at Novembers Damnation Festival in Leeds.
Check out a sample of ‘Vertikal’ below, the official video for, ‘Passing Through’
