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RADIANT KNIFE Share Full Album Premiere for New Album "Sankalpa"
An early listen to Sankalpa
Louisiana-based experimental doom metal duo RADIANT KNIFE have made their new album "Sankalpa", due out Friday, November 13, available to stream in full. The album premiered ahead of its release date via No Clean Singing.
Following 2023's "Pressure", the duo—Stephen Sheppert (guitar, synth, vocals) and Greg Travasos (drums)—have shaped their latest work around a more refined approach to groove. While "Sankalpa" retains the unconventional rhythms and hard-edged guitar structures that occasionally defined its predecessor, melody, layers and sonic textures take on a more prominent role.
Drawing close to the musical territory of bands such as Hum, Elder and Russian Circles, the album brings together interlocking guitar parts, atmospheric synths, prominent vocal melodies and dense rhythm guitars. RADIANT KNIFE's influences also include Dazzling Killmen, King Crimson and the experimental metal scene of the 1990s. The era shaped by labels such as Relapse, Hydra Head and Amphetamine Reptile Records also holds an important place in the duo's musical roots.
In its assessment of 'Sankalpa', one of the album's standout tracks, No Clean Singing highlighted the song's combination of sharp rhythmic shifts, hard-hitting guitar attacks and atmospheric keyboard textures. The publication's overall take on the album also emphasizes the way it brings together different musical approaches.
You can listen to the premiere of "Sankalpa" here.
The video for 'Disciple Of The Astral Plane', previously released from the album, is also available.
"Sankalpa" takes its name from a Sanskrit concept meaning an intention embraced wholeheartedly or a solemn vow. Featuring artwork by Terry Grow, the album was recorded, mixed and mastered by Stephen Sheppert at Starless Sound.
Comprising ten tracks, "Sankalpa" will be released digitally on November 13. Pre-orders are available through the band's Bandcamp page.
Editorial note: The source includes separate links for the full-album stream and the video, but both are Constant Contact tracking links. As their actual destinations could not be verified, no substitute links have been created. The album cover can be placed in the article, with an embedded video used for the clip.
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