Succumb announce sophomore record, XXI, out on September 24th via The Flenser

Plumbing the depths of modern death metal with primitive elegance, Succumb have returned with their sophomore record, XXI. One of the strongest up-and-coming metal bands in recent years, what sets Succumb apart from their peers is vocalist Cheri Musrasrik – the juxtaposition of death metal riffing and propulsive drums with Musrasrik’s cavernous howl and sophisticated lyrics make a unique listening experience in today’s crowded landscape. Musrasrik cites authors and poets like Yeats, Genet and Zola as her primary lyrical influences. XXI sees an allegorical look at the elements and their related mythologies, with talks about Lilith, the Orphic poems, ocean and nature deities, Dionysus, Arthurian literature, fly agaric as soma, the cosmic egg and the Boxer Rebellion.

XXI is titled after The World, the final tarot card in the Major Arcana. Its imagery typically features a tetramorph that refers to the four directions or the four elements. Its upright meaning represents completion. Its reversal represents fixity. The record’s art is Stefan Thanneur’s interpretation of the record’s allegorical treatment of the elements and the alchemical union of opposites. On XXI, Succumb set out to make a record that feels more immediate and unpredictable, with a more aggressive production and the vocals much more front and center. Now, the group has premiered the record’s discordant first single, “Okeanos”, which you can listen to below.

XXI  will be released on September 24th via The Flenser. Digital and physical pre-orders are now available here.