Photo by Malcolm Pugh

Deepening the experience set forth on SCOUR’s previously released EP trilogy, Gold pulls the listener through a blistering vortex of speed, aggression, and, above all, absolute horror. Drawing from a deep framework of literary horror masterworks, Gold guides the listener beyond the realm of death and through the metaphysical anomalies of a disheveled and decaying mind. In-so-which the pall of a savage universe is lifted, an inconceivable puppet master revealed, the remaining self of the listener excruciatingly dissolved, and left asking, “who is it that pulls the strings?”

Musically, SCOUR fuses the raw aggression of black metal with grindcore, punk, and thrash influences, manifesting a sound that honors extreme metal’s roots while pushing it into modern territory. Their minimalist approach is relentless and brutal, perfectly embodying this vision.

In advance of the release of Gold, today the band unveils first single, “Infusorium,” and its accompanying video, filmed and edited by Malcolm Pugh.

Comments Engemann, “SCOUR is storming back onto the scene with our new single, ‘Infusorium,’ a relentless blend of intricate guitar work and raw, unforgiving intensity. This track raises the bar, with more intricate guitar work, and featuring a searing solo by Mark Kloeppel, undoubtedly some of his finest work that cuts straight to the core.

“Inspired by Jon Padgett’s haunting short novel, Infusorium, the lyrics channel the story’s eerie depth and darkness, bringing a literary edge to the metal mayhem. As the lead single and first music video from our upcoming full-length album, Gold, ‘Infusorium’ proves the SCOUR is fiercer and more dynamic. The SCOUR boys are back, more ripping than ever!”

Gold, which features cover art by Cain Gillis, will be available on CD, LP, limited edition cassette (US only), and digital formats.

Find preorders at THIS LOCATION.

Gold Track Listing:

1. Cross

2. Blades

3. Infusorium

4. Ornaments

5. Coin

6. Evil

7. Devil

8. Contaminated

9. Hell

10. Invoke

11. Gold

12. Angels

13. Serve

Forged in 2015, SCOUR quickly made their mark with the blistering debut single “Dispatched.” Their first release, The Grey EP (2016), came via Anselmo’s own Housecore Records, followed by The Red EP in 2017. In 2020, SCOUR unleashed their most aggressive effort yet, The Black EP, released under Housecore and Nuclear Blast Records and featuring guest appearances from notable figures like Erik Rutan, Pat O’Brien, and actor Jason Momoa.

And now SCOUR elevates their intensity with the announcement of their first full-length album, Gold, which includes a guest solo by Gary Holt (Slayer, Exodus). Recording for Gold began in February 2023 at Nodferatu’s Lair — Philip Anselmo’s personal studio and rehearsal space — which saw the band highly engaged in a concentrated effort toward a truly diabolical composition, with Anselmo leading the charge at every turn. One would often find the entire band in the control room in ecstatic debate, meticulously mulling over every blast beat and divebomb. The album was intermittently refined, and lyrical concepts finalized, over the course of 2023 as touring schedules would allow.

Anselmo began vocal recordings in the Fall of 2023 at The Lair. Backup vocal recordings were then executed by the rest of the band in arena backstage rooms over the course of Pantera’s February 2024 tour, where the full band would also thoroughly review the instrumentation mixes. Once the tracks were finalized by SCOUR and mixing engineer Dennis Israel, they were then passed to Fascination Street Studio in Örebro, Sweden for mastering by Jens Bogren.

Despite their relatively short career, SCOUR has performed at some of the world’s most prominent festivals, including Roskilde, Hellfest, Tecate Metal Fest, and Maryland Deathfest. With such a powerful pedigree, SCOUR remains a dominant force in both live performances and studio recordings, and fans can expect even more from them in the future.

For SCOUR coverage contact liz@earsplitcompound.com.

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