Vancouver, BC’s SVNEATR will be releasing their third album, Never Return, via Prosthetic Records on May 10. Three years in the making, the progressive black metal group’s latest full-length was one born of personal and collective uncertainty. Ten years since SVNEATR’s inception, Never Return sees the band boldly approach their creative zenith. Whilst black and death metal remain a large part of their musical DNA, Never Return sees SVNEATR introduce cello and contrabass via Shawn Hillman (bass), as well as vocal chanting and clean singing from Monteith. These embellishments bring a celestial quality to their more excoriating passages - see ...And When the Storm Comes, Reaper Of The Universe. Elsewhere the melding of the personal and political is found on the imposing title track, as Vitharr and James Readman’s guitar work shines atop bassist Shawn Hillman and drummer Matthew Logan’s palpably intense tempo changes. Following mastering work by Brad Boatright, SVNEATR brought in self-taught Vancouver, BC artist Basia Swieczko to create the stark and ominous album cover. Through the tumult and toil that provided the impetus of its creation, Never Return stands as a defiant kickback against fatalism.
