New Album XANTHROCHROID Out On 2014 Via Erthe and Axen Records

This year, Xanthochroid plan to release their second full-length album titled "Of Erthe and Axen". The band is in the pre-production phases; compiling ideas, finalizing song structures, and recording demo tracks to prepare for rehearsal and recording.

Vocalist/keyboardist Sam Meador had this to say about the upcoming release:
"I'm really excited to finally be working on this album; some of the thematic material we are working with has been floating around for 7 years. It feels great to be solidifying and realizing these themes that I have been wanting to record for so long. Furthermore, this album is going to feature more input from other members of the band. Matthew (drummer/producer) and I worked very closely together on "Blessed He With Boils", but this album will include more of his musical ideas as well as other members of the band (Brent, Bryan, and David)."

On the new album's sound:
"So far, the guitar riffs in particular are much more raw sounding than on Blessed He; they seem colder, more drawn out and atmospheric. Conversely, our orchestrations are going to be much more articulate this time around thanks to some new software; as well as more study into counterpoint and orchestration."

On the lyrical/story content:
"The lyrics again will focus on the fantasy concept we have developed in the last two releases. The story on this album takes place before Blessed He and before "Incultus". It describes Thanos and Ereptor as young men, and the struggles they faced growing up, growing apart, and realizing their destinies."

The album is expected to be released in Fall/Winter of 2014. Their previous releases can be heard and purchased at xanthochroid.bandcamp.com, you can follow the band at www.facebook.com/xanthochroidmetal.

PS: Matthew Earl had this to say about the upcoming LP:
"The new album is going to be totally fine. It will sound completely acceptable, and will be available for purchase at some point for an amount of money."

Xanthochroid is an Epic Black Metal band that strives to produce the most sophisticated and enthralling compositions in the metal scene today. Taking influence from bands like Emperor, Opeth, Moonsorrow, Wintersun, and many others; Xanthochroid combines many styles into a blackened cloud of legendary metal might. Not for the casual listener, but for the true metal connoisseur who demands more depth, more detail, and more musicality than what is out there today. Xanthochroid's music demands repeat listening and a discerning ear.

The music of Xanthochroid, grand and bombastic at times, haunting and delicate at others, tells the story of a fantastical universe from the mind of mastermind, lead vocalist and keyboardist Sam Meador. Through combining the desire to create moving stories with a love for pagan mythology into an ever evolving mythos, the music tells a story of a long power struggle between Thanos and Ereptor, two brothers who are heir to a deceased king fighting over the rightful kingship of the land of Septentria. While the story was originally presented as a side aspect of the group's 2010 EP Iced, In Extremis, it gradually became the focus of their music, their 2011 EP Incultus further developing the mythos. Incultus has been greatly praised for combing "Unquestionable talent ... with big ambitions, enabling this band to present songs of epic scope and quality..

However, the group has progressed even further with its debut album, Blessed He With Boils, a work which not only expands the mythology of the group's music, but the depth of the complex composition noted on earlier releases.