Photo Credit: Brian Krahe
Progressive death metal innovators FALLUJAH are set to expand their sonic horizons with the release of their highly anticipated new album, Xenotaph, through Nuclear Blast Records. The Bay Area quintet continues to solidify their position as one of America’s most compelling and forward-thinking metal acts.
Since their formation, FALLUJAH has established themselves as pioneers in the progressive death metal scene, seamlessly blending technical proficiency with atmospheric elements and melodic sensibilities. The band built their reputation through a series of critically acclaimed releases, with their previous album Empyrean (2022) marking a significant milestone in their artistic evolution and garnering widespread acclaim from the metal community.
For Xenotaph, FALLUJAH has undergone a strategic lineup evolution while maintaining the core creative force that drove their previous success. The current lineup features vocalist Kyle Schaefer, guitarist Scott Carstairs, and bassist Evan Brewer, who now welcome guitarist Sam Mooradian (INHALE EXISTENCE, SAM MOORADIAN) and drummer Kevin Alexander (DISEMBODIED TYRANT, BROUGHT BY PAIN) to the fold, bringing fresh perspectives and exceptional musical proficiency to the band’s already formidable sound.
“Having numerous self-sufficient writers in the band who all agreed on a shared vision allowed us to work as a team to make sure every song was intense, detailed, and dynamic,” explains guitarist Scott Carstairs. “We spent many hours trying out different arrangements and had a goal from the beginning to keep the song structures fast-paced and dense with tons of different parts in each song.”
Xenotaph represents both a continuation and evolution of FALLUJAH’s signature approach, featuring the band’s characteristic blend of blast-laden speed runs, jazz-fusion influenced solos, atmospheric passages, and Schaefer’s dynamic vocal range spanning from brutal death metal growls to soaring clean vocals. The album showcases the band’s commitment to pushing their music in simultaneously more melodic and more technical/progressive directions.
The album’s concept draws inspiration from Frank Herbert’s Children of Dune novel and other science fiction sources, weaving together a complex narrative that follows a protagonist through otherworldly journeys and psychological exploration. Each track represents a chapter in this intricate sci-fi storyline, creating a cohesive listening experience that engages both musically and conceptually.
Xenotaph was produced by FALLUJAH themselves, with engineering handled by Dave Otero (CATTLE DECAPITATION, ARCHSPIRE) at Flatline Audio in Denver, Colorado, and Mike Low (VITRIOL, ABORTED) at Top Track Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. Otero also handled mixing and mastering duties, focusing on elevating the production quality while maintaining the separation and clarity of FALLUJAH’s intricate musical arrangements.
The album features stunning cover artwork by Peter Mohrbacher, continuing his collaboration with the band following his previous work on Dreamless and Empyrean. The cosmogonic artwork perfectly complements the album’s sci-fi themes and otherworldly atmosphere.
“We’d love for this music to eventually impact our fans in the way our favorite music has impacted us,” states vocalist Kyle Schaefer. “Hopefully fans will be surprised and excited by some of the new directions we’re pushing in, while still recognizing the core elements they’ve grown to love.”
FALLUJAH plans to support Xenotaph with extensive touring, building upon the success of their previous live campaigns. The band has already begun incorporating new material into their live performances, offering audiences a preview of their latest creative evolution.
Current FALLUJAH Lineup:
Kyle Schaefer | Vocals, Programming
Scott Carstairs | Guitars
Sam Mooradian | Guitars
Evan Brewer | Bass
Kevin Alexander | Drums
Xenotaph will be released through Nuclear Blast Records.
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