Executioner’s Mask announce sophomore record, Winterlong, out on June 17th via Profound Lore

Executioner’s Mask have returned to action with their sophomore record! Entitled Winterlong, this new release is an epic bouquet of swelling synths, hypnotic melodies and noisy guitars, with its ten tracks marrying post-punk and shoegaze, while exploring themes of liberation and self-destruction in these end-times. Featuring production from Jeff Zeigler (The War On Drugs) and Ryan Schwabe (Oneohtrix Point Never), Winterlong is the type of sublime and immersive record that inspires the same visions often conjured by masters like The National, Alcest and Deerhunter. In the studio, Executioner’s Mask’s core group of Gambit, Mickle and Wilson added Christian Molenaar into the fold on synths, which added an ethereal edge to the band’s hard-driving melancholy.

Additional touches were added by Kennedy Ashlyn (SRSQ) and Jake Superchi (Uada, Ceremonial Castings), each adding their distinct sonic fingerprints that send their compositions further into territories unexplored. On stage, Gambit, Mickle, and Molenaar will be joined by Anthony Charletta on bass, Melissa Lochambon on drums and Daniel Gaona on guitar to create an explosive force of sound that come together with the potency of Children of God-era Swans. Below this article, you can listen to the record’s shadowy first single “Things Fall Apart”, which features guest vocals from the aforementioned Kennedy Ashlyn of SRSQ.

Expanding on the kaleidoscope of ambition, expect to see re-mixes of Winterlong released in a series of their own by an ensemble cast that features members of Deafheaven, Full Of Hell, No Joy, Xiu Xiu, and The Armed amongst an army of others. The first of the Winterlong re-mix albums will be released as a bonus disc that will come with the CD release of Winterlong mastered by Angel Marcloid (aka Fire-Toolz).

Winterlong will be released on June 17th via Profound Lore. Physical and digital pre-orders are now available here.

Photo credit: Denniz Polk