Hooded Menace release full new album ‘Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration’

For more than two decades, Hooded Menace have stood as the pillar between two realms of underground metal. The Finnish band are still transfixed by classic horror on their monumental new album. But “Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration” only goes to show that these stewards of death-doom remain far from stuck in their ways.

“Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration” comes out today, Friday, October 3 via Season of Mist.

Stream the full album now:

Pre-order & Pre-save:
https://orcd.co/hoodedmenacelachrymosemonumentsofobscuration

Pre-save on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/prerelease/3Os1kbdsMgl805olZjrZUr

The undead spirit that’s guided Hooded Menace since its 2007 conception still stands watch over “Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration”. Cover artist Wes Benscoter recreates the “Blind Dead” in all their glowingly ghoulish glory.  “Pale Masquerade” summons film director Amando de Ossorio’s flesh-eating muse with a fresh heap of founding member Lasse Pyykkö’s bone-crunching chugs.  But while the lasting influence of Candlemass and Paradise Lost hasn’t vanished without a ghostly trace, the band continue to break the mold that they set for death-doom. Neon keys beam through opener “Twilight Passages” as if firing up a time machine.

“Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration” hammers home the classic ‘80s heavy metal influence that Hooded Menace rung in on their last long-player “The Tritonus Bell”. As if from a trance, drums snap into a gallop amidst blistering leads dripped with neon. “Lugubrious Dance” twists between the hallucinogenic spires of Cathedral in conspiracy with King Diamond before cranking into a chorus that’s classic Hooded Menace. Even traditional death-doomers will scream with delight upon hearing the band cover Duran Duran‘s “Save a Prayer“ with their blood-soaked signature.

MicroPitching and other effects aren’t the only tricks pulled out from under Hooded Menace‘s cloak on “Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration”. What should appear from beneath Pekka Koskelo’s swirling double bass on lead single “Portrait Without a Face“ but the deeply haunting moan of a cello. Like an echo from beyond the grave, the cry of strings reappears during the album’s grand finale. Former live bassist Antti Poutanen sorrowfully saws as the band marches, gallops then sinks back “Into Haunted Oblivion”.

“Resonate in utter darkness”, Harri Kuokkanen beckons with growls that reek of the crypt.

With “Lachrymose Monuments of Obscuration”, Hooded Menace cast death-doom in a ghoulish new light.

Tracklist:
1. Twilight Passages (1:04)
2. Pale Masquerade (7:50)
3. Portrait Without a Face (7:15)
4. Daughters of Lingering Pain (7:25)
5. Lugubrious Dance (7:20)
6. Save a Prayer (6:12)
7. Into Haunted Oblivion (9:47)

Lineup:
Harri Kuokkanen — Vocals
Lasse Pyykkö — Guitar, Bass, Keyboards
Pekka Koskelo — Drums

Guest Musicians:
Antti Poutanen — Cello
John McNulty — Spoken Word

Production Credits:
Recorded by Heikki Marttila at Guru Studio, Joensuu, Finland.
Mixed by Heikki Marttila.
Mastered by Jaime Gomez Arellano at Orgone Studios, Portugal.

Cover Art:
Wes Benscoter (https://www.wesbenscoter.com)

Photography:
Pasi Nevalaita