Today we have the privilege of sharing an early stream of “Open Tomb of Nightmares” a dark trawl through the mind from Bay Area death/doom metal band LARVAE. In keeping with their tradition of doom influenced and black metal laced death metal the second full-length from these guys, ‘Entitled to Death‘, releases Friday, April 7th on limited 12″ Vinyl and digitally by way of cult German label Fucking Kill Records.

With “Open Tomb of Nightmares” Larvae present the momentum of the second half unveiled. Expect the cavernous, barreling first impression made to quickly expand into a creeping thousand-eyed examination of the principled turncoat, the disillusioned warrior taking stock of the damage done. Well, that and a prime example of the rhythmically adept doomed death metal burl these folks present throughout this record where subtle motions intensify in patient reveal.

The band comments on the subject matter of the song: “‘Open Tomb of Nightmares’ is about a soldier’s battle to erase the memories of horror they’ve encountered along their path. It is a reflection about the scourge and aftermath of trauma and unpacking what might lurk inside the dark recesses of their mind. It is about prevailing to explore the chance of a better human experience and not submitting to resounding PTSD and inflicting self harm. Aware that they are living a transient existence to be devoured by time, they pound onward in their pursuit for autonomy. Within the depths of darkness, more demons await to bear down on their head. Despite their greatest efforts, they are forever battled by war’s never ending cycle of destruction..”

Thanks goes out to the artist, their label and representation for the opportunity to share this song early. Scroll down to the Bandcamp embed below to finalize your descent. As always do your best to support the death metal underground and grab a physical copy from Fucking Kill Records:

• Fucking Kill Records – fuckingkillrecords.bandcamp.com
• Larvae Bandcamp – larvae.bandcamp.com

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Per the Press Release:

Bay-area death-doom metallers LARVAE will be releasing their new album, “Entitled To Death”, on April 7th 2023 via Fucking Kill Records.

Oakland, California has summoned the rituals of many metal legions over the decades. Its stench is filled with dark art, morbid riffs, death and doom. There’s a scorched place in the corner of the crumbling landscape evoking evil and witchy magic where Larvae feast on the remains of those who perished.

“Entitled To Death” pursues a human experience, traversing the middle realm seen thru the eyes of a defected warrior. Bound to a reality of misanthrope, power, and trauma the protagonist seeks balance until the final collapse in a land filled with ruin and loss. The crossover compositions and lyrical anecdotes grapple with mental health and self worth before crossing over into a cosmic abyss.

Inspired by 90’s legends like Runemagick, Paradise Lost, Immolation, Bolt Thrower, Neurosis and Dismember, Larvae decompose Death and Doom metal to emote thru narrative and conjure dismal hallucinations.

The sophomore album by LARVAE unveils a bare-boned trio led by founding member vocalist/ guitarist/ engineer Brad Kobylczak (Eulogy, Kuru, Machine Head, Green Day) who’s accompanied by the low end marauding of bassist Wyatt Culbertson (Born/Dead, Abrupt) and the percussive barrage of Eric Evert (Rebels Advocate) on drums. Since 2011, LARVAE have been ruminating on their own breed of death/ doom atmosphere conjoined with blackened passages and macabre riffing to align the unique anatomy forming what stands today. “Entitled To Death” delivers a slab of morbidity to scrape away festering corpses into heaps of liquified tissue.

Album tracklist:

01. Entitled to Death
02. Obscure Unknown
03. Of Power and Loss
04. Open Tomb of Nightmares
05. The Last of Living
06. The Stars Spelled Death

Guitar, vocals and soundscapes – Brad Kobylczak
Bass and samples – Wyatt Culbertson
Drums – Eric Evert

Recorded, mixed and mastered at Earhammer by Greg Wilkinson
Produced by Brad Kobylczak
Cover art by Andrei Bouzikov
Additional artwork by Jason V Roberts, Eric Radey and Bryce Shelton.
Layout design by Ross Sewage

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