Toronto-based industrial/thrash metal band MALHAVOC have unveiled the opening track from their upcoming album, inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s short story ‘The Masque Of The Red Death’. The song, which shares its title with the story and runs approximately 14.5 minutes, premiered via Ghost Cult Magazine.

Due out on November 13 through Cursed Blessings Records, "The Masquerade’s Death" brings together the band’s thrash metal roots, industrial soundscapes, horror-film atmospheres and operatic elements. Drawing on Poe’s tale of how even the privileged cannot escape the devastating consequences of a pandemic, the album explores themes of loss, the weight of everyday life and anxiety about the future.

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Photo: Natasha Rego de Assunçao

One of the album’s notable features is its title track, which reunites Dave C., John C. and Jimi C. (LaMort) to re-record the last song they wrote together in 1985. Connor Lex Grant (Trick Casket), Ian Mumble (Overthrow) and founding member Nigel Williams also make guest appearances. Conceived, recorded and mixed entirely by LaMort, the album runs for approximately 70 minutes.

Opening track ‘The Masque Of The Red Death’ sets out the album’s musical direction with classic industrial elements, hard-hitting riffs and a dystopian atmosphere. LaMort highlighted the connection between the song’s literary source and the present day:

“Poe wrote the story almost 200 years ago. MALHAVOC wrote this song 40 years ago. It’s kinda strange that they’re more relevant today than ever before.”

Since their early days in 1985, MALHAVOC have been among the first bands to bring metal together with industrial music and the use of samples. Their career began on a thrash metal footing with "Age Of The Dark Renaissance" (1985) and "Shrine" (1986), before moving towards industrial metal with "The Release" (1990), "Punishments" (1991) and "Premeditated Murder" (1992). Electronic influences became more pronounced in the band’s later work.

Alongside preparations for "The Masquerade’s Death", the band are also working on "Anthems For The New Flesh", an all-covers album dedicated to the films of David Cronenberg.

"The Masquerade’s Death" will be released on November 13 through Cursed Blessings Records in 2xLP, CD and digital formats. The track is available to hear via its premiere page at Ghost Cult Magazine.

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