Seattle heavy metal practitionersDARK MEDITATIONwill release theirPolluted Templesfull-length via Satanik Royalty Records on January 28th, today unveiling the records first single, artwork, and preorders.DARK MEDITATIONmay hail from Seattle, but their sound is steeped in traditions associated with other corners of the globe Englands working-class cities, frosty Scandinavian towns, Southern California meccas of the 80s. Or as the band puts it,DARK MEDITATIONsounds like the bastard amalgamation of Venom and Judas Priest fighting it out on the Sunset Strip while Danzig and King Diamond cheer them on. While such reference points may suggest a nexus of evil kitsch and arena-level theatrics, the bands debut albumPolluted Templescomes from a place of down-and-out urgency and punk ethics, adopting the gloomy anthems and riff worship of heavy metal titans for their sonic exorcisms rather than their rock n roll panache. Its an album that basks in big hooks, righteous guitar work, and an arena-level stomp without compromising any grit, grime, or guts.

Polluted Templeswill be released on LP and digital formats. Find physical preorders atTHIS LOCATIONand digital preordersHERE.

Polluted TemplesTrack Listing:1. Horus Rising (Prelude)2. Babalon.Money.Magick3. Haunt Of Fear4. Strange Caress (Of The Night)5. Masters Coil6. Desolation Days7. The Howling Wild8. Drink Of The Blade9. Nocturnal Forever10.

Polluted TemplesOriginally conceived by vocalist A.D. Vick, guitarist Rane, and guitarist/synth player Ian as a recording project intended to provide personal catharsis,DARK MEDITATIONcame to serve as a crucial artistic outlet for the entire five-piece band a salve during trying times. Along with compatriots JW Mullett (bass), and Will Klintberg (drums), the founding trio poured four years of blood, sweat, and equity intoPolluted Temples, though the inner-band relationships go back even further. The members ofDARK MEDITATIONall cut their teeth and crossed paths in various niches of the underground, churning out visceral and vitriolic bangers in acts like Emeralds (SEA), O.S.S., R.I.P., and Wildildlife. A punk ethos permeated their earlier acts, and while they may have excised some of that primitivism in their current project, the members ofDARK MEDITATIONhave not skimped on the aural punishment and physical intensity.Recorded over two weeks during Seattles record-breaking heatwave of June 2021 by Matt Bayles (Mastodon, The Sword, Soundgarden),Polluted Templesis the culmination of nearly half a decades worth of work. Not only does it represent a triumph over recent adversities, it serves as a negation of ingrained prejudices and social mores. Most of our songs deal with personal consequences of our actions and how it effects the world around us, Vick says of his lyrics. But there is also the looming specter of evangelical Christianity that I was brought up in and trying to break away from the dogmatic concepts that were pushed upon me in childhood.These themes are displayed on songs like Haunt Of Fear, where Vick explores the idea of the devil as an invented boogeyman used to govern by fear and instill hatred in the populace while the band lays down a thunderous foundation of first-wave black metal riffage, wailing pinch harmonics, and dueling guitar solos. On a similar tip, the albums title tracka perfect blend of melodic gloom and pounding force bolstered by synth-colored choruses and heroic guitarsuses the biblical metaphor of the body as a temple to examine how physical pleasure-seeking turns people inward and away from the rest of humanity. This kind of social commentary manifests in the relentless chug of Babalon.Money.Magick, where the increasing disparity between the haves and have-nots is reflected Seattles new construction and tent cities. And it pops up again in the mid-tempo death rock strut of Desolation Days, where manipulative institutions and power-hungry people are brought to task for valuing the dollar over human lives.Ultimately,DARK MEDITATIONs true power lies in their razor-sharp musicianship, addictive songwriting, and fist-pumping instrumentation. Its no small wonder that the bands early demos warranted an official release by Austrias boutique black metal label Doctrina Carnis before theyd even played their first live show.Polluted Templesmarks a substantial progression in both performance and production, and with that evolution comes the requisite support of a strong stateside label. [Bio by Brian Cook] ForDARK MEDITATIONcoverage contactliz@earsplitcompound.com.http://www.facebook.com/Darkmeditationhttp://www.instagram.com/darkmeditation206http://www.satanikroyaltyrecords.comhttp://www.facebook.com/satanikroyaltyrecordshttp://www.twitter.com/recordssatanikhttp://www.instagram.com/satanikroyaltyrecords

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DARK MEDITATION To Release Polluted Temples - XS ROCK