U.S. Melodic Black Metal horde, LENAX, have released Hellscape Vol. I (The Voices) on digital format. The four-song EP contains one new song, “The Voices,” and three songs given a pitch-shifted Hellscape remix: “Leeches” and “We Are Legion” from the upcoming album Infection, as well as a remastered version of “Inversion” from 2023 EP, Purity. The digital edition on Spotify also includes the three original songs as bonus tracks. You can purchase the EP at LENAX‘s Bandcamp page.
Lenax vocalist/guitarist, Venomous, had this to say about the new EP: “The Hellscape project was spawned entirely by accident. Our drummer Bones sent in an audition video when we were first getting together, something that sounded very dirty and ethereal. As he was in a doom project, I assumed it was original material, until I heard the main riff from ‘Leeches.’ This gave me the effect of taking something very familiar to me as a songwritier and making it seem alien, as if distorted through a transmission from the underworld.
“I pulled up the core tracks of some of the songs that we’d done – two songs from the upcoming album Infection, and a remaster of one of the songs form the 2023 Purity EP. Every track I did something a little different with the effects and tempo. One song is actually sped up as it was down pitched, something that may seem counterintuitive. The idea was to give this feeling as if the songs were transmitted across a void, resulting in this obscured, horror movie soundtrack kind of effect.
“New song, ‘The Voices,’ was purpose built with this sort of transmission in mind. It takes this idea of hearing diabolic voices from the underworld, and creates an epic story of ascension and destruction. During the demo process, I pitch shifted my voice down for this monstrous effect. What I wasn’t expecting is to find a comfort zone for my voice in this very low register. What you hear on my vocals on is entirely natural, something that in turn made its way to some of the tracks on the new album. Big thanks to Silas for this, not just on coaching me into this low vocal range, but his impeccable work on the audio.”
LENAX is currently putting the finishing touches on the songs that will become Infection, the band’s first full-length album. It is targeted for release during the summer months this year.
In reflecting on the forthcoming full-length, Venomous notes that “Infection is an album almost two years in the making. Continuing with themes that blur the lines between fantasy and reality, Lovecraftian cosmic horror and the occult, the theme of the album is one of infernal rather than divine intervention into humanity. with an unmistakeable passion for individuality.”
“This is our most punishing work yet,” says LENAX guitarist Mordred. “It’s faster, harsher, and more diseased than anything we’ve ever done.” The theme of the album is represented in song titles such as ‘Plague Bringer,’ ‘Hive Mind Apocalypse,’ and ‘We Are Legion’ – a song that tells the story of an unfortunate and overly zealous mage who calls upon greater forces than his own, only to succumb to the very denizens of hell he dared unleash.”
Hellscape Vol. I (The Voices) track listing:
1. The Voices
2. Inversion (Hellscape Remix)
3. Leeches (Hellscape Remix)
4. We Are Legion (Hellscape Remix)
Digital Edition Bonus Tracks:
5. Inversion (Remaster Preview)
6. Leeches
7. We Are Legion
LENAX is:
Venomous – Vocals / Guitar
Mordred – Guitar / Backing Vocals
Bones – Bass
Source: metaladdicts.com
