Highly respected Japanese doom metal band CHURCH OF MISERY will release its long-awaited new album Houses of the Unholy in North America on July 7 via Rise Above Records.

First formed in 1996 by bassist Tatsu Mikami and guitarist Tomohiro Nishimura, the Tokyo-based band’s formidable sound melds early-era Black Sabbath style doom with powerful psychedelic rock. Major players in Japan’s underground music scene, the celebrated quartet dwells obsessively on the topic of infamous serial killers; the subjects-at-hand are both the focus of the band’s lyrics and its overall sweeping thematic. Merging disturbing lyrical imagery and macabre news reel sound bites with infectious Wah Wah-driven Acid Metal, CHURCH OF MISERY’s Houses of the Unholy will prove to be a far-out treat for fans of early 70’s Hard Rock and traditional Doom Metal alike.

Whereas other left field Japanese rock bands such as Boris, Melt Banana and Boredoms have managed to achieve a considerable amount of status over the course of the last few decades, CHURCH OF MISERY have made a conscious decision to remain encased in a morgue of both mystery and confusion. Over the course of its distinguished career, CHURCH OF MISERY has released music on respected labels such as Man’s Ruin and Southern Lord. Now a member of the fast-growing Rise Above Records family, C.O.M. prepares to drop what is arguably its finest collection of songs to date with the boldly-titled Houses of the Unholy. The album’s brainsick cover art can be viewed now at this location.

The final track listing for CHURCH OF MISERY’s Houses of the Unholy is as follows:

1.) El Padrino (Adolfo De Jesus Constanzo) 8:51
2.) Shotgun Boogie (James Oliver Huberty) 4:16
3.) The Gray Man (Albert Fish) 5:46
4.) Blood Sucking Freak (Richard Trenton Chase) 8:34
5.) Master Heartache (Sir Lord Baltimore cover) 5:17
6.) Born To Raise Hell (Richard Speck) 7:33
7.) Badlands (Charles Starkweather & Caril Fugate) 7:58

The brand new CHURCH OF MISERY song “Shotgun Boogie (James Oliver Huberty)” has been made available for listening online courtesy of Brooklyn Vegan. Check out the epic track now at this location.

In addition to Makami, CHURCH OF MISERY features vocalist Yoshiaki Negishi, guitarist Tom Sutton and drummer Junji Narita.