Dublin, Ireland-based raw black metal band HORRENDA released ‘LOUDUN, 1634’ on September 18, reworking one of their earlier tracks with recordings from the new lineup following a lineup change. The track serves as the first preview of the band’s forthcoming release “The Redrum Sessions: Volume II – Nostos”, due later this year.

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The new version brings together recordings from HORRENDA’s previous era with performances from the current lineup. While the original guitar and bass recordings by Darragh “Outis” O’Connor and drum recordings by the band’s former drummer Jason “Cruxx” K. Heafy have been retained, newly recorded parts have been added by the current lineup. The result is a reworked arrangement that brings the track in line with HORRENDA’s present incarnation.

Shannon “XeroPulse” Bowman handles vocals and synths on the recording, as well as recording, mixing, and mastering, while Cian “Demoror” Larkin provides the additional guitars. In the current lineup, drums are handled by Sterling “Arioch” Paterson, with Zoe “Noctis” Kavanagh on keys.

The most striking aspect of ‘LOUDUN, 1634’, however, is the historical event at its core. The song focuses on the Loudun affair in 17th-century France and the accusations of witchcraft and alleged possessions surrounding Urbain Grandier. Religious fanaticism, political power, mass hysteria, and the transformation of accusation into public spectacle form the song’s central narrative.

HORRENDA’s approach does not rely solely on the supernatural narratives surrounding the events. One of the track’s sources of inspiration is Ken Russell’s 1971 film The Devils, which deals with the Loudun affair. The film’s portrayal of fanaticism, institutional violence, and the impact of religious fervour on reason directly overlaps with the historical framework explored by the band in the song.

Rather than treating the Loudun affair as a straightforward occult horror story, ‘LOUDUN, 1634’ instead focuses on what happens when belief becomes spectacle, accusation becomes truth, and power becomes the determining force behind reality.

HORRENDA’s new single ‘LOUDUN, 1634’ is now available on all digital platforms. The track can also be streamed via the band’s Bandcamp page. “The Redrum Sessions: Volume II – Nostos” is scheduled for release later this year.

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