Pathology Announces New Album Tour and ‘Cult of the Black Triangle’ Single

Pathology, emerging from the shadows of the brutal death metal realm and renowned for its ferocious sonic assaults, has heralded the advent of their twelfth opus, ‘Unholy Descent.’ Steeped in the legacy of the genre and spearheaded by percussion maestro Dave Astor—whose credentials include a tenure with the equally formidable Cattle Decapitation—the ensemble has announced this forthcoming aural expedition, slated for dissemination on May 17th under the auspices of Agonia Records. This revelation follows their amicable departure from Nuclear Blast Records, marking a new chapter with Agonia Records, a sanctuary for a plethora of distinguished and sonically heavy collectives.

‘Unholy Descent’ emerges from the creative cauldron, having been meticulously crafted at Sharkbite Studios under the watchful eye of Zack Ohren—a sonic architect known for his work with Aborted, All Shall Perish, and Decrepit Birth—in June 2023. The auditory experience is further refined through the masterful touch of Alan Douches at West West Side Music, whose portfolio boasts collaborations with Origin, Cannibal Corpse, and Cattle Decapitation. Adorning the album, a mesmerizing artwork by Par Olofsson encapsulates its essence, promising a journey through dark and tumultuous narratives.

Formed in San Diego, California, in 2006 by drummer Dave Astor, an ex-member and co-founder of The Locust and Cattle Decapitation, Pathology quickly established itself as a formidable force within the death metal community. Known for their brutal and aggressive sound, the band has navigated through the genre’s landscape with a series of albums that delve into themes of gore, violence, and medical pathology, gaining a dedicated following in the process.

Influenced by the pioneering acts of the brutal death metal subgenre, such as Cryptopsy and Suffocation, Pathology’s sound was forged in the fires of unrelenting intensity and technical proficiency. Their ethos centered around the pursuit of auditory obliteration, a sonic manifestation of their uncompromising artistic vision. This ideological foundation would serve as the bedrock upon which their music was built, each subsequent release a testament to their unwavering commitment to sonic extremity.

The cultural significance of Pathology lies not only in their musical oeuvre but also in their contribution to the perpetuation and evolution of the death metal genre’s aesthetic and thematic motifs. By employing a complex lexicon of musical techniques—ranging from guttural vocalizations to meticulously orchestrated blast beats and guitar solos—Pathology advances the genre’s exploration of the macabre, the grotesque, and the sublime. This musical exploration, in turn, mirrors broader cultural fascinations with mortality, decay, and the boundaries of human experience, rendering their work a resonant cultural artifact.

Moreover, Pathology’s impact transcends auditory experiences, influencing the visual and performative aspects of the genre. Their album artwork and live performances, characterized by an amalgamation of visceral imagery and theatricality, contribute to the sensory immersion of their audience. This alignment of audio and visual aesthetics not only amplifies the intensity of the listener’s experience but also cements the band’s role in shaping the genre’s cultural lexicon.

In academic discourse, Pathology’s contribution to death metal is emblematic of larger trends in musicology and cultural studies. Scholars have explored the band’s work within the contexts of genre evolution, identity construction, and the negotiation of cultural boundaries. Through these lenses, Pathology emerges as a locus of inquiry into how music both reflects and shapes societal norms, values, and tensions.

Pathology’s cultural significance within the North American death metal scene is multifaceted, encompassing not only their musical contributions but also their role in the genre’s visual, performative, and digital evolutions. Their enduring impact is a testament to the band’s ability to navigate and influence the complex interplay between music, culture, and technology, securing their position as a pivotal figure in the genre’s ongoing narrative.

Transitioning from their previous works, which laid the foundation for their brutal and technical approach to death metal, Pathology released their album ‘Surgically Hacked’ on September 30th, 2006, under the Amputated Vein Records label. This album marked a significant point in the band’s discography, showcasing a deeper exploration into the realms of gore and brutality, both lyrically and musically.

Unlike its predecessors, ‘Surgically Hacked’ delves into more complex and intricate compositions, featuring guttural vocals, down-tuned guitars, and blast beat drumming techniques that have come to define the band’s sound. The release demonstrated Pathology’s evolution in the death metal genre, solidifying their position in the North American metal scene. By incorporating elements of slam and technical death metal, the album not only expanded the band’s musical range but also their thematic focus on medical horror and pathological subjects, which became a hallmark of their style.

‘Surgically Hacked’ stands as a pivotal album in Pathology’s career, bridging their early experimental phase with the more refined and brutal sound that they would continue to develop in their subsequent releases.

Followed by their second full-length album, ‘Incisions of Perverse Debauchery,’ released on March 16th, 2008 through Grindhead Records, served as a harbinger of the band’s uncompromising sonic assault. The album’s frenetic drumming, courtesy of Dave Astor’s inhuman percussive battery, provided a foundation upon which the down-tuned guitars of Tiszczenko and Schwartz could weave tapestries of auditory mayhem. Matti Way’s guttural vocal projections, a visceral torrent of inhuman growls and grunts, served as the final piece of the auditory puzzle, cementing the band’s commitment to aural extremity.

Following the momentum built with ‘Incisions of Perverse Debauchery,’ Pathology released ‘Age of Onset’ on May 26th, 2009, through Comatose Music. This album represents a significant evolution in the band’s musical journey, refining the brutal and technical elements that characterized their earlier work.

‘Age of Onset’ sees Pathology pushing their sound further into the realms of brutality, with a notable increase in technical proficiency and lyrical depth. The album’s production quality also marks an improvement, allowing the complex arrangements and intricate musicianship to shine through more clearly than in previous releases. It continues to explore themes of medical horror and pathological gore, but with a level of sophistication and precision that elevates the band’s concept.

The record label, Comatose Music, known for its roster of extreme metal bands, provided a fitting home for Pathology’s relentless assault on the senses, supporting the band’s vision of blending relentless brutality with technical prowess. ‘Age of Onset’ not only solidified Pathology’s standing in the global death metal community but also set a new benchmark for their musical and thematic exploration, bridging the raw energy of ‘Incisions of Perverse Debauchery’ with an increased focus on technical skill and lyrical narrative.

Signing with Victory Records likely played a role in solidifying their place within the North American metal scene, especially considering the label’s focus on extreme metal. This partnership bore fruit with the highly acclaimed release of ‘Legacy of the Ancients’ on July 6th, 2010, a milestone that solidified their place in metal music history under Dave Astor’s astute leadership.

The band’s journey has been punctuated by extensive touring, sharing stages with giants like Nile, Immolation, and Deicide, among others. Their path, however, was not without its trials. A devastating van accident in November forced a momentary pause and led to lineup changes, including a significant transition with Jonathan Huber taking over vocal duties and the return of guitarist Tim Tiszczenko.

The years that followed witnessed Pathology’s ascent to prominence within the extreme metal realm, as their relentless touring schedule and a series of well-received releases, including the EP ‘Incarnations of Reverie’ (2011) and the full-length ‘Awaken to the Suffering’ (2013) on Victory Records, contributed to their burgeoning popularity. These releases showcased the band’s relentless pursuit of technical proficiency and unrelenting brutality, further expanding their fanbase and solidifying their status as torchbearers of the brutal death metal subgenre.

In 2012, Pathology marked a significant milestone with the release of ‘The Time of Great Purification’ on September 25th, 2012, under Victory Records. This album not only concluded their three-album contract with Victory Records but also served as a prelude to a new era of independence and artistic rejuvenation for the band.

Celebrating the return of original members, Pathology infused ‘The Time of Great Purification’ with a sense of renewal and vigor, reflecting both a culmination of their experiences under Victory Records and the anticipation of a fresh chapter in their musical journey. The album itself delves into themes of societal decay and apocalyptic visions, executed with the technical proficiency and brutal assault characteristic of Pathology’s sound.

The band’s ability to weave complex narratives with relentless sonic aggression showcased their growth and readiness to embark on a new phase under Sevared Records in 2013. This period in Pathology’s evolution was not just about a change in record labels but also signified a deeper artistic and conceptual exploration, setting the stage for their continued influence and innovation within the death metal genre.

With the release of ‘Lords of Rephaim’ on September 3rd, 2013, under Sevared Records, Pathology embarked on a new chapter in their evolution, freshly independent and driven by a renewed artistic vision. This album, coming after their significant period of transition and growth, is notable for its ferocity and technical prowess, standing as a testament to the band’s enduring presence in the death metal scene.

‘Lords of Rephaim’ is distinguished by its relentless brutality, intricate guitar work, and the distinctive guttural vocals that have become a hallmark of Pathology’s sound. The thematic content continues to explore the dark and macabre, delving into narratives of horror and despair with a level of sophistication that suggests a matured approach to songwriting and composition.

The partnership with Sevared Records, a label celebrated for its dedication to the extreme metal genre, provided Pathology with a platform to showcase their refined sound and thematic ambitions. This release not only solidifies the band’s reputation as pioneers of brutal death metal but also highlights their ability to evolve and adapt, marking ‘Lords of Rephaim’ as a pivotal moment in their discography. The album reflects both a culmination of their musical journey and a stepping stone towards further artistic exploration, embodying the spirit of innovation that Pathology has always embraced.

Released on August 5th, 2014, ‘Throne of Reign’ stands as a testament to the band’s resilience and capacity for evolution, even in the face of significant lineup changes. This album, which was the last to feature guitarist Kevin Schwartz before his departure in 2015, encapsulates a period of intense creativity and technical prowess, serving as a bridge to the band’s future direction.

The subsequent welcoming of Dan Gargiulo into the fold marked a pivotal moment for Pathology, introducing a fresh dynamism to their already formidable sound. ‘Throne of Reign’ itself is characterized by its complex arrangements, brutal vocals, and relentless pace, continuing the band’s exploration into themes of death and destruction with a refined narrative depth. The transition in personnel, rather than hindering their progress, propelled Pathology to further sonic exploration, with Gargiulo’s distinctive playing style adding new layers of intensity and sophistication to their music.

The self-titled album ‘Pathology,’ released on July 21st, 2017, represents a significant moment in the band’s career, embodying a full-circle return to their roots while also pushing forward into new territories of musical brutality and complexity. This album, marking their ninth studio release, showcases the band’s unwavering dedication to the death metal genre, with a focus on refining their sound and honing their technical skills.

‘Pathology’ is characterized by its blend of guttural vocals, relentless drumming, and technical guitar work, all underscored by a production that brings clarity and depth to their aggressive soundscapes. The themes explored in this album continue to revolve around medical horror and pathological gore, but with a matured approach that delves deeper into the darkness and intricacy of their narrative content.

A pivotal moment in their history came in 2018, when Dave Astor strategically augmented the band with the talents of Daniel Richardson, Ricky Jackson, and Obie Flett, forging the strongest lineup to date. This reinvigorated ensemble continued to push the boundaries of death metal, leading to a significant partnership with Nuclear Blast Records in 2021, promising further innovation and intensity in their musical explorations.

In 2019, Pathology revisited their roots with the EP ‘Perpetual Revulsion,’ featuring re-recorded songs from their early discography. This approach not only paid homage to their origins but also showcased the band’s evolution and maturation as musicians. By revisiting their past works through the lens of their present-day proficiency and artistic growth, Pathology offered a poignant commentary on the cyclical nature of their creative journey, simultaneously acknowledging their roots while looking toward an ever-more extreme future.

This evolution was exemplified by the release of ‘Reborn to Kill’ on August 9th, 2019 on Comatose Music. The album’s uncompromising intensity and technical prowess further cemented the band’s reputation as purveyors of aural extremity, while simultaneously showcasing their ability to adapt and evolve. Critics and fans alike hailed the release as a testament to Pathology’s enduring commitment to sonic brutality, solidifying their position as one of the premier acts within the underground metal scene.

The culmination of Pathology’s sonic journey thus far manifested in the form of ‘Redefining Brutality,’ their latest full-length release in 2022. Met with critical acclaim, the album solidified the band’s position as torchbearers of the brutal death metal subgenre, continuously pushing the boundaries of extremity with each successive offering. From the opening salvo of ‘Infinite Regress,’ a veritable auditory onslaught that left listeners reeling, to the closing opus ‘Cognitive Dissonance Unleashed,’ the album showcased Pathology’s unwavering commitment to sonic violence and brutality.

Pathology’s enduring legacy within the extreme metal realm is a testament to their unwavering commitment to sonic violence and brutality. Through their relentless pursuit of technical proficiency and uncompromising approach to songwriting, the band has carved a niche for themselves as perpetuators of aural extremity. Their influence reverberates throughout the underground metal scene, inspiring a new generation of musicians to embrace the unrelenting spirit of sonic annihilation.

Pathology’s intense live performances have become a staple within the extreme metal scene, attracting a dedicated fanbase who flock to experience their music firsthand. These shows foster a strong sense of community among fans of brutal death metal.

The unveiling of ‘Unholy Descent’ is prefaced by the single and accompanying visual spectacle, ‘Cult of the Black Triangle.’ The album promises a labyrinth of sonic explorations, as evidenced by its tracklisting, which includes compositions ranging from ‘Hermetic Gateways’ to ‘A World Turned to Ashes,’ each a testament to the band’s relentless pursuit of musical extremity.

In anticipation of this monumental release, Pathology will traverse the North American continent, embarking on a headlining tour commencing April 17th. The expedition will witness collaborations with NecroticGoreBeast and Aethereus, touching down in metropolises from Los Angeles to Phoenix, thereby solidifying their indelible mark on the live music landscape.

As the band continues to push the boundaries of what is sonically possible, their legacy will undoubtedly endure, inspiring future generations of musicians to embrace the unrelenting spirit of sonic annihilation. For in the realm of extreme metal, Pathology stands as a beacon of authenticity and unwavering commitment, a shining example of what can be achieved through dedication, passion, and an unyielding devotion to the pursuit of aural extremity.

Pathology, now a formidable quartet with Dave Astor at the helm, alongside Daniel Richardson, Richard Jackson, and Obie Flett, stands at the threshold of a new era. Their partnership with Agonia Records and the imminent release of ‘Unholy Descent’ encapsulate a moment of both anticipation and promise for aficionados of the genre, eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the band’s relentless odyssey through the realms of brutal death metal.