‘Unchain the Wolf’ is heavily influenced by crust/d-beat bands like Anti-Cimex, Tragedy, and Martyrdöd, while still leaning into the melodic, OSDM style that defines the Oak, Ash & Thorn sound. Lyrically, it uses the legend of Fenrir, the wolf that devours the world at the end of time, to conjure dark images of family strife and personal pain.
'Distant Mountains, Distant Gods', meanwhile, hearkens back to the bands' folk/pagan metal roots, while taking an approach simultaneously darker and more overtly emotional. The song's lyrical tone is similar, treating addiction, loss of faith, and desperate redemption.
'‘Unchain the Wolf’ will be out digitally and on 7 inch single with the b-side ‘Distant Mountains, Distant Gods’ on May 19th from Lost Future Records. 'Distant Mountains, Distant Gods' is available for download with pre-order as of 4/12.
credits
released May 19, 2023
Adam Armstrong - lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Jason Harding - lead guitar, backing vocals
Erik Hoffman - bass
Cierra White - drums
Music by Oak, Ash & Thorn
Lyrics by Adam Armstrong
Produced by Fabian Jiru with Oak, Ash & Thorn
Recorded by Chris Fernald (Moredoor Studios) and Adam Armstrong
Mixed by Fabian Jiru
Mastered by Dave Otero at Flatline Audio
Artwork by Jason Harding
Layout by Adam Armstrong
Oak, Ash & Thorn thanks these folks for sticking their necks out and being outstanding:
Ben and Lost Future Records, Fabian and Trollfest, Chris and Moredoor Studios, Trisha (Mama Armstrong) and Steve, Heather (Mama White) and fam, Dave and Flatline Audio, Chelsea and Footclothes, Little Guys Movers in Ft. Collins, Chandra/Don/Debi and Microbial Research, Dub/Shawn/Corey and Devil Red Films, Gaia and Ritual, Kyle and Digital Myle, Tyler Kosec, Connor and Vegvisir Body Art, Sage and Forest Passage Printing, Uncle B and Connie, Jon and Asher Media, Ricky and the banana, Rachel and the Waites, Taylor and Landon, Gem, Robzilla, Krista/Angela and CIRQULAR, all at Starlight Studios, Afton/Joel and Cafe Sol, Mikey and Harboured/Allegaeon, Kyle/Paulie and Pathos & Logos, Cameron/Max and We Are William, Jordan/Chris and Last Word, Dragged Out, Andrew and Scepter of Eligos, Carlos and Solemn Vision, all the rest of our family/friends/pets, all the bands we've had the honor of playing with, all the venues/promoters/sound persons we've worked with, and every last OATer who's ever jigged to us in a pit, bought a thing, or given us a place to crash and/or bathe. Especially the bathing...
Oak, Ash & Thorn arose along Colorado’s Rocky Mountain front range out of a collective passion for heavy metal and old-world paganism. New full length album coming early 2024 via Lost Future Records, tours to follow.
What an impressive piece of black metal. This one-man hurricane is pure art. Sgah‘gahsowáh creates an haunting atmosphere. He puts so much soul in his music. Sælzer Bub
The songs are masterfully composed and flow together beautifully, and the orchestration is exactly how I want metal orchestration to sound: full, playable by a real orchestra, and just as important to the music as the vocals, drums, guitar, and bass are. tonycordeshimself
I think the concluding song encapsulates what I most enjoy about this album: a defiant hopefulness that stands against the dark, determined to rise again when its knocked down, determined that it will know hope. archival_blob
These California up-and-comers don't merely pay tribute to ’90s death metal; they make it their own by taking charge and letting it rip. Bandcamp New & Notable Jan 21, 2024
A Pagan black metal masterpiece.
Folk and black metal elements fuse into one extremely catchy and awe inspiring album. This band does not disappoint from all the high praise sent it's way. Abyssius Murkraken