Josh Dummer led melodic death metal virtuoso project, Buried Realm, have just released the new single, “Where the Armless Phantoms Glide, Pt. II.” It is a precursor to their upcoming album, The Dormant Darkness, slated for release on April 4, 2025. Check out the new track and more below.
“Where the Armless Phantoms Glide, Pt. II.” marked the beginning of the album’s journey—a foundation upon which the rest of the material would grow. It began with a vision for gritty power metal vocals and ‘spider-esque’ riffing that seemed tailor-made for clean, commanding vocals. As the track evolved, it took a turn towards a darker, more cinematic tone, which led me to collaborate with Björn Strid, whose vocal style perfectly matched the transformed spirit of the music. The inclusion of Heikki Saari’s powerful drumming and Francesco Ferrini’s orchestral elements further enhanced the cinematic quality of the track.
The upcoming album The Dormant Darkness is not just a collection of songs but a showcase of global metal talent, featuring an impressive lineup of guest artists:
Björn “Speed” Strid (Soilwork) on tracks “Human Code” and “Where the Armless Phantoms Glide, Pt. II”
Christian Älvestam (ex-Scar Symmetry) on tracks “Bloodline Artifice,” “Futuristic Hollow Nation,” “Jaws of the Abyss,” and “The Dormant Darkness”
Christopher Amott (ex-Arch Enemy/ ex-Dark Tranquillity) on “Futuristic Hollow Nation”
Daniel Freyberg (ex-Children Of Bodom) on “A Futile Endeavor”
Dean Arnold (ex-Vital Remains) on “Bloodline Artifice”
Francesco Ferrini (Fleshgod Apocalypse) with orchestration and additional synth across the album
Gus G (ex-Ozzy Osbourne/Firewind) on “The Dormant Darkness”
Heikki Saari (Finntroll) with drums throughout the album
Per Nilsson (Scar Symmetry) on “Human Code”
The Dormant Darkness marks a significant milestone in the band’s over a decade-long journey in the melodic death metal scene. This album, deeply personal and dynamic, showcases a blend of raw emotion and technical precision, with contributions from an impressive roster of guest artists, enhancing its complexity and reach. The album opens with “Bloodline Artifice,” setting a powerful tone with themes of betrayal and corrupted innocence. It progresses through tracks like “Futuristic Hollow Nation,” exploring themes of isolation, and “Human Code,” a high-energy anthem featuring Björn Strid. The mood shifts with “A Futile Endeavor,” delving into regret and loss, while the centerpiece, “Where the Armless Phantoms Glide, Pt. II,” presents a transformation into a cinematic masterpiece with intense orchestration and emotive vocals.
“Ophidian Dreams” offers a brooding, atmospheric experience, and “Jaws of the Abyss” highlights a collaboration with Christian Älvestam, integrating clean vocals and growls. The album concludes with “The Dormant Darkness,” a triumphant finale embodying the album’s collaborative spirit and showcasing guest solos and dynamic performances. Overall, The Dormant Darkness represents a new chapter of creative exploration for Josh Dummer and Buried Realm, celebrating the band’s evolution, artistic growth, and the collaborative spirit within the modern metal landscape.
The Dormant Darkness tracklisting:
01 Bloodline Artifice
02 Futuristic Hollow Nation
03 Human Code
04 A Futile Endeavor
05 Where the Armless Phantoms Glide, Pt. II
06 Ophidian Dreams
07 Jaws of the Abyss
08 The Dormant Darkness
More from Buried Realm:
Buried Realm is a force in the melodic death metal realm, emerging from Colorado Springs, Colorado, under the creative vision of multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Josh Dummer. Buried Realm has delivered a unique blend of technical rhythm and lead guitars, atmospheric synths, and progressive songwriting, drawing influence from 1980s shred guitar icons like Jason Becker and Marty Friedman, as well as American and Scandinavian death metal. With a desire to break free from formulaic approaches, Josh explores diverse atmospheres and ideas, crafting music that pushes creative boundaries. Buried Realm’s three acclaimed albums—The Ichor Carcinoma (2017), Embodiment of the Divine (2020), and Buried Realm (2022)—are testaments to Josh’s vision of pushing boundaries while staying rooted in the genre’s core intensity and complexity.
A hallmark of Buried Realm’s identity is its collaborations with metal luminaries, amplifying its status as a project that bridges innovation and tradition. Guest appearances from Brandon Ellis (The Black Dahlia Murder), Teemu Mäntysaari (Megadeth/Wintersun), Björn Strid (Soilwork), Christopher Amott (ex-Arch Enemy), Per Nilsson (Scar Symmetry), and Christian Muenzner (ex-Obscura) infuse the music with diverse influences while complementing Josh’s technical precision and atmospheric depth. This collaborative spirit, combined with a commitment to progressive, melodic death metal songwriting, ensures that no two tracks feel the same. With its raw power, intricate arrangements, and relentless creativity, Buried Realm looks to elevate its legacy with its fourth album, coming in 2025—a fierce promise of evolution within the melodic death metal genre.
Buried Realm is:
Josh Dummer – All instruments and vocals (with the exception of guest appearances)
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