photos by Junaid Malik
The anxiously awaited second full-length album from Canadian death metal quartet GUTVOID, Liminal Shrines, is set to be conjured from the void this March on Profound Lore Records.
GUTVOID was formed in Toronto, Ontario by guitarist Daniel Bonofiglio and guitarist/vocalist Brendan Dean, followed shortly thereafter by bassist Justin Boehm and drummer D. W. Lee. Blending modern death and doom soundscapes with progressive rock and metal songwriting foundations, GUTVOID creates a monster seething with gut-wrenching riffs, cavernous vocals, and prog virtuosity. With the release of the Astral Bestiary EP in 2019, the debut album Durance Of Lightless Horizons in 2022, and the Breathing Obelisk EP in 2024, the band has continued to build on their sound, focusing on more elaborate yet intentional song structures while deepening the depth of their aggressiveness and technicality.
Now, GUTVOID delivers their incinerating second album, Liminal Shrines, which marks the first half of a two-part concept. Writhing with energy, the album showcases the band at their most intricate, aggressive, and creative thus far, further expanding and building on their cosmic horror infused atmospheres and origins through six immersive and devastating movements.
Liminal Shrines was recorded at Boxcar Sound Recording, Mount Wexler Studio, and Dystonic Sounds, was mixed and mastered by Greg Dawson and BWC Studios, and features cover art by Kjell Åge Meland.
Alongside the first preview of the album, Brendan Dean writes, “‘Spell Reliquary’ was the first song written for Liminal Shrines and represents where our sound has evolved: progressive in structure, a strong focus on melody, yet still rooted in the heavy, death/doom approach of our previous work. Lyrically it follows one person’s quest to find a forgotten mystical text of transformation, one of many explorations of the concept of changing states that threads throughout the new album.”
GUTVOID’s “Spell Reliquary” is now streaming everywhere including YouTube HERE and other digital platforms HERE.
Liminal Shrines will be released on LP, CD, and digitally on March 20th. Preorders and presaves can be placed via Profound Lore HERE.
Liminal Shrines Track Listing:
1. Ruinous Gateways
2. Spell Reliquary
3. Of Smothering Sea
4. Umbriel’s Door
5. Lead Me Beyond the Sleeping I
6. Chasm Of Displaced Souls
Additional audio previews and more will be posted over the weeks ahead, preceding the release of Liminal Shrines.
GUTVOID will record the sister album to Liminal Shrines in the months ahead.
“…GUTVOID pull a most excellent stunt by taking the four words that could arguably best describe their sound – ‘progressive melodic death metal’ – and turn them around so they land on listeners in the correct order. Metal first… GUTVOID rise to that special echelon of death metal with a distinct personality, without ever devolving into gimmickry getting lost in progressive wizardry. There’s a lot across these fifty minutes to recommend this album to all manner of discerning death-heads, but that sly, casually idiosyncratic approach to soloing demands real attention.” – Decibel Magazine
GUTVOID:
Justin Boehm – bass
Daniel Bonofiglio – guitar
Brendan Dean – guitar, vocals
W. Lee – drums
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