Today, Svart Records announces September 18th as the international release date for Skepticism's highly anticipated new album, Ordeal. A legendary name in metal circles, Skepticism are widely hailed as one of the originators of funeral doom. Their first album for Svart and fifth overall, Ordeal is also the first Skepticism full-length since 2008's Alloy. But instead of going the usual recording-in-the-studio route, the band decided to record this new album live before an audience on January 24th at Klubi in Turku, Finland, with the event also captured on film. A truly unique experience for a truly unique band, Ordealis a honest and accurate summary of what Skepticism is in 2015.
"Recording the album live was a positive experience. I've come to think of Skepticism being at its best live, and the Ordeal session proved it for me," says keyboardist Eero Pöyry. "Having a whole day to concentrate in one shot at a perfect performance brought in a good pressure - and a bit of an ordeal, as well." Adds drummer Lasse Pelkonen, "Recording live made the album sound a bit rough and dirty, which is suitable for us in any case." "Recording live suited me well as a musician," Eero continues. "Only being able to fit in what your hands and feet can do at a time made me play only the essential."
The album will be available as a CD/DVD bundle and also as a LP/DVD set, featuring visual documentation of the whole Ordeal performance. "It is hard to think of a more street-credible approach to recording an album," contends Lasse. "I think metal is good only if one can recognize it as such by sound and arrangement. This happens on Ordeal." "Life is an ordeal, the album is about ordeal, and making the album was an ordeal," guitarist Jani Kekarainen explains. "To me, the music of Skepticism is essentially dynamic and atmospheric. These qualities in music are best presented live. Hence, recording live made it possible to capture the most authentic result for the album." Adds Lasse, "I am personally very happy with the new songs. They contain a lot of atmospheric changes and layering but still sound like Skepticism."
"It is difficult not to be and difficult to be," concludes vocalist Matti. "Ordeal is what music is - genuine without further explanation." Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting For Skepticism's "Ordeal":
1. You
2. Momentary
3. The Departure
4. March Incomplete
5. The Road
6. Closing Music
7. Pouring
8. The March And The Stream
