Season of Bloodshed

Soaked in blood and craving more, death metal masters AETHER REALM emerge violently transformed on Season of Bloodshed

Soaked in blood and craving more, North Carolina’s melodic death metal masters AETHER REALM have undergone a violent transformation, emerging with their ferocious new album Season of Bloodshed, to be unleashed December 11th, 2026 via Napalm Records.

Since the band’s 2020 album Redneck Vikings From Hell, AETHER REALM have held on by the skin of their teeth through a global pandemic, the historic Hurricane Helene, and a mid-record lineup change, with former guitarist Donny Burbage departing and new guitarist Chris Jones entering the fray. Season of Bloodshed clutches you in its blood-soaked claws and guides you on an intense exploration of an existential transformation fueled by rage.

From its first heartbeats, the album bares its teeth. The vampiric opening track “The Blood is Calling” is layered with thunderous kick drums and cataclysmic string arrangements setting the stage for something truly ghastly. Propelled by blast beats from drummer Tyler Gresham, ornate guitar harmonies, and Martin Gonzalez’ enveloping orchestrations, the first track is a herald of a new era as the band transforms into something darker.

“Control” opens with a triumphant harmonized guitar duel before taking off at 100 miles per hour with virtuoso guitar duo Heinrich Arnold and Chris Jones weaving riff tapestries, embracing listeners in a dystopian dream of the future. Always looking to experiment with the form, “Broken Fist” enlists guest vocalist Taj Jewett to lend their rage to a track that fuses nu metal and prog into a showcase of infectiously bouncy grooves and unstoppable riffage ...