photos by Junaid Malik
All devotees to progressive, technical, and melodic death metal, tune in. Liminal Shrines, the second LP from Toronto-based quartet GUTVOID, is now streaming in its entirety, preceding its release on Profound Lore Records this Friday.
GUTVOID was formed 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.
Immerse yourself in the world of GUTVOID and listen to the rapturous Liminal Shrines, now streaming at YouTube RIGHT HERE.
Liminal Shrines will be released on LP, CD, and digitally on March 20th. Preorders and presaves can be placed via Profound Lore HERE.
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 is everything that Blood Incantation should be: an immensely talented tech-death band that moves about with prowess. But unlike that highly regarded Colorado band, GUTVOID makes music with purpose. Liminal Shrines is an excellent release for death metal fans who are craving something that’s highly ambitious and adventurous.” – Blabbermouth
“…everything is familiar and easy to follow along to yet simultaneously offering a challenging listen that, through applied songwriting, conveys an enormous amount of information without impeding our ability to process their performance… GUTVOID approach death metal in an inverted manner but that doesn’t negate their capacity for wanton mayhem; it’s simply been perverted, reshaped and recontextualised for the band’s desires. A heinous and light enamouring force.” – The Razor’s Edge
“Fans of thought-provoking death metal that challenges as much as it crushes will find much to love on Liminal Shrouds.” – Metal Epidemic
https://gutvoid.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/gutvoidofficial
https://www.instagram.com/gutvoid
https://profoundlorerecords.com
https://www.profoundlorerecords.bandcamp.com
https://www.instagram.com/profoundlorerecords
https://www.facebook.com/profoundlorerecords
https://x.com/profoundlore