"It's as if you're whole reality is being destroyed around you and you're trying to dodge the debris. Like I said before this is blackened grind done right."
--EXTREME METAL MANIAC BLOG
"...Sophist offer a distinctly nastier, gnarlier take on Black Metal, one which draws almost as much influences from Grind and which features a distinctly ugly undercurrent of distorted, industrialized insanity."
--NO CLEAN SINGING
"It’s the musical equivalent of a circle pit, you can choose to stop and go stand at the side but that really won’t protect you from the spinning brutality within. It’s here that I wish to say that Sparks’ bass work is sublime, whilst not over complicated it is interesting to look out for and provides a notable counterbalance to the tidal wave of guitar."
-- ROCK OUT STAND OUT
"...“Dissolution” executes exactly what it wants - to be a hybrid that results in a total beatdown!"
--CVLT LEGION
"...another great sounding recording from Sophist and if you are a fan of black metal and grindcore, you should check out this album. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Solve Et Coagula" "Unholy Dissolver" "Prima Clavis" and "Crowning Achievement". 8 out of 10."
-- OccultBlackMetalZine
"... hints of early Bathory and second-wave black metal underpinned by a sardonic vibe that speaks of punk as much as anything else."
--ZERO TOLERANCE MAGAZINE
Davis here - let's talk about this album...
It all started out with sending Michael a drum track and asking if he had any ideas for it. We soon started writing/recording our debut EP, 'Betrothal to the Stone: Conception of Mephisto' in June and released it in August. It's a simple process: I come up with the drum tracks and then Michael comes over and spits out evil, grinding riffs on the spot - and they're one hell of a foundation.
Once the songs are fleshed out, I put some lyrics down and am usually recording vocals by the next day. (This album continues with alchemical & occult themes, but mixes them with misanthropy and nihilism. Let's fucking dissolve!!!)
Now from the beginning of 'Dissolution', we added our friend Helge Lipphardt into the mix to help write and play guitars. Experienced guitarist (and guitar tech) with some awesome leads and riff ideas.
Recording, mixing, mastering, all done in-house. And this time around, so is the album artwork.
I wanted to bring the production back to the 80s (or even older!) - bring the black/grind back in time.
The production is hopefully somewhere in line with early Napalm Death, Bathory, Mayhem, 80s heavy/early-black metal, and Dead Kennedys.
We asked Tsunami Nagasaki to record vocals for the short but sweet track #3 "We Are Each Our Own Devil" - and as expected, she killed it! Perfect match for the song.
Staying true to form, I have already put together drum tracks for a follow-up record. We'll start up production again soon.
That's about all. We're not playing any shows yet. We just want to record some damn albums!
credits
released February 7, 2020
Michael Sparks - Bass, Guitars
Helge Lipphardt - Guitars
Davis Hay - Vocals
Produced by Davis Hay
Mixed and Mastered by Davis Hay
www.haywirestudio.com
Cover art by Davis Hay
Vocals on "We Are Each Our Own Devil" by Tsunami Nagasaki
Special thanks to Brent & Stephanie Bell
Visit our website sophistmetal.com
Find Sophist merch at sophistmetal.com/shop
Niflhel Records
niflhelrecords.com
Canadian Black Metal. Better late than... Not sure what took me so damn long! There is something truly fascinating about BM from Quebec! The suspense the songs have is something very unusual & awesome. It drives your expectations & keeps you on the edge until that epic conclusion or eargasm! Highly recommended!!! bmurator
I can listen to this and watch Notebook at the same time while my girl explains why philosophy is important. I still don't know what these peeps are singing about tho. Boule? oilchange? I'm oblivious. fakkfejs