Spanish avant-garde doom/drone experimentalists ORTHODOX, having reverted to their original lineup, have completed their latest album, Proceed. Confirming the record for release in June through Alone Records, the cover art, track listing, preorders, a brief teaser, and more have been unveiled.
ORTHODOX was born as a trio in Seville, Spain at the end of 2004. Starting from doom metal and absorbing influences from drone, jazz, and extreme metal, the band represents one of the most relevant but unpredictable bands of the Spanish metal underground.
After breaking through the international underground with their Gran Poder debut LP in 2006, ORTHODOX has released another six studio albums, multiple EPs, splits, singles, and more, released through respected labels like Southern Lord, Utech Records, God Unknown, and long-running allies, Alone Records.
Since 2014, ORTHODOX has operated as a duo, with bassist/vocalist Marco Serrato and drummer Borja Díaz handling all recording and live performances. However, Proceed sees the return of guitarist Ricardo Jiménez to the lineup for the first time since 2011’s Baal. To capture this mammoth album, in November 2021, Billy Anderson (Sleep, Melvins, High On Fire, Om, Neurosis, EyeHateGod) was flown to La Mina Studios in Sevilla, Spain, and recorded the album with assistant engineers Raúl Pérez and Nacho García. Anderson mixed the record at his Everything Hz back in Portland, Oregon, after which it was sent to Justin Weiss at Trakworx in San Francisco, California for mastering. Proceed was completed with artwork and illustrations by Fernando Rivas and layout/design by José Postigo.
Proceed represents ORTHODOX's return to its original essence, but also a step forward as a band. After a multitude of different projects around the band and a long way traveled, they are back to reel off heavy riffs like a three-headed juggernaut.
Arguably the heaviest thing they’ve done since their debut, and one of the most satisfying and surprising drone/doom records I’ve heard in quite a while."
Kez Whelan, THE QUIETUS
"Proceed is a truly astounding record. The instrumental performances here are unprecedented in the doom scene and the material is flawless. If I have shown my hand already, this is a definite contender for album of the year."
Todd Manning, CVLT NATION
"One of the best doom records I have heard in a very long time. A miracle of an album"
MACHINE MUSIC
"This is my favorite doom metal release this year, so far. Orthodox is on fire. High adventure and angular dissonant rewards all through out. I love it."
Mike Scheidt (YOB)
Proceed Track Listing:
Side A:
Past Seers / Abendrot / Rabid God / Starve
Side B:
The Son, The Sword, The Bread / The Long Defeat
