The dudes from Denver downer rock crew Khemmis have been busy since the release of 2020’s Doomed Heavy Metal EP. Drummer Zach Coleman has spent his time playing in Go Ahead And Die with Soulfly frontman Max Cavalera, while guitarist Ben Hutcherson has released a series of madcap metal covers of ’90s tunes, including Santana’s “Smooth” and The Offspring’s “Come Out and Play.” But now, Khemmis are back in earnest, and have revealed details about their fourth studio album, along with its crushing first single.
Khemmis’ new album will be titled Deceiver, and will see the light of day on November 19th via Nuclear Blast. The record was produced by Colorado extreme metal guru Dave Otero (Cobalt, Cephalic Carnage, Allegaeon) in Westminster, CO, and has a cover illustrated by the one and only Sam Turner (Speedwolf, 3 Inches of Blood, Mondo’s Deathgasm vinyl art, all of the label and merch art for Denver’s Trve Brewing).
The first single from Deceiver, “Living Pyre,” sees Khemmis doubling down on their sprawling, ecclesiastic doom metal sound. The band come off as polished and clear as ever, but their music is still drenched in the votive-candle light of their serpentine guitar harmonies, churlish breakdown riffs, and reins-pulling crashes. It’s also exciting to note that Hutcherson is still contributing guttural vocals to the band’s music; it’d be easy for Khemmis to go all-in on their clean singing, but like Enslaved before them, these guys are refusing to forsake their extreme metal roots. It’s a killer track that bodes well for this important album from one of modern metal’s most vital acts.
Listen to “Living Pyre” below:
Khemmis’ Deceiver is currently available for preorder. Check out the full tracklisting and cover art below:
- Avernal Gate
- House Of Cadmus
- Living Pyre
- Shroud Of Lethe
- Obsidian Crown
- The Astral Road
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Words by Chris Krovatin
