Minneapolis death metal duo CAVERNOUS MAW have released a music video for ‘The Yeti Approaches the Wall’, taken from their new EP, “Ancestral Lands Beyond the Antarctic Ice Wall”, which came out on October 27. As the EP’s opening track, the song introduces the conceptual narrative that follows a fictional character’s journey into the unknown.

At the heart of the EP’s story is a yeti who reaches the boundaries of the known world and embarks on a journey of discovery. Across its five tracks, the EP follows the character through curiosity, exploration, growth, and understanding, ultimately leading to the downfall of humanity. The band also uses this narrative as a broader metaphor for pushing beyond personal limitations and maintaining a sense of curiosity about what lies beyond the horizon.

CAVERNOUS MAW describe ‘The Yeti Approaches the Wall’ as the first song they wrote for the new EP. Drummer Ben Fagerness explains that it took shape around a riff during a rehearsal session, with the arrangements developed to sustain the energy from beginning to end. The lyrics take their cue directly from the title: a yeti approaching a wall. Fagerness leaves it up to listeners to decide whether that wall is physical or mental.

With the new release, the duo builds on the approach established on their debut EP, “Primitive”, while moving towards a more deliberately structured death metal sound. Whereas vocals were not part of the original plan for their debut, “Ancestral Lands Beyond the Antarctic Ice Wall” was conceived from the outset as a death metal record featuring vocals. More defined song structures and detailed arrangements now complement the band’s riff-driven approach.

After years of playing together in various projects, Niilo Smith (vocals, guitar) and Ben Fagerness (drums) embraced the creative freedom of working as a two-piece. They recorded most of the new EP live in their rehearsal space before adding the vocals, continuing to develop their songs collaboratively during rehearsals. One detail from the preparation for the ‘The Yeti Approaches the Wall’ video involved the pair building a rudimentary Viking hut out of pine branches at the filming location.

CAVERNOUS MAW’s lyrical world extends beyond fantasy, drawing on humanity, history, ancestral ways of life, exploration, and the natural world. The duo are continuing to write material for future releases while building their own recording studio.

“Ancestral Lands Beyond the Antarctic Ice Wall” is available to stream on Spotify and Bandcamp. Bandcamp also offers a limited edition of 100 individually numbered CDs.

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