ILLUSION OF FATE have shared a video for their new single, ‘Soulless Chasm,’ revisiting a composition written several years ago. The track closes Exsanguination, the blackened symphonic death metal band's forthcoming EP, scheduled for January 8, 2027.
The band initially felt the song did not fully express their intended vision. Returning to it after developing their compositional approach gave them another opportunity to realize that concept. As the announcement explains, ‘[t]he re-recorded version finally captures the atmosphere and intensity that had always existed in the original concept, allowing the song to become what it was always intended to be.’
Opening with piano and synths, ‘Soulless Chasm’ moves from melodic passages into darkness and dissonance. Its lyrics address humanity's confrontation with the unknown, using darkness, emptiness and incomprehensible cosmic forces as symbols of an individual surrendering their identity before something greater.
The accompanying statement describes the closing track's deliberately unresolved perspective: ‘Rather than providing resolution, the song concludes the EP by embracing mystery, leaving listeners to contemplate transformation as an ongoing process rather than a final destination.’
Exsanguination is available for pre-order. Hayden Crownover produced the EP at Crownover Productions and handled mixing, with mastering by Alan Douches. Kevin Wegner of Very Deadly Media created the cover artwork.
- Exsanguination — 4:00
- Umbra Vex Mortis — 4:35
- Soulless Chasm — 3:47
ILLUSION OF FATE have been developing their blackened symphonic death metal sound since 2019. From the American Midwest, the Wisconsin band combine thrash, death and black metal with orchestral arrangements. Their stage presentation also draws on the theatrical visuals of black and gothic metal.
Their releases incorporate the Bloodcult Mythos, a grimdark saga spanning millennia that runs through their EPs and full-length material. Their independently released catalog includes the debut EP Emerging Sentience from 2020, the King of Serpents EP from 2021 and the 2024 LP Portals to Kur.
The band's live background includes national tours across the United States and appearances at Tennessee Metal Devastation, Michigan Metalfest and Milwaukee Metalfest. They have also shared stages with OBSCURA, RIVERS OF NIHIL, VALE OF PNATH, DYING FETUS, DECREPIT BIRTH, PSYCROPTIC, UADA and OMNIUM GATHERUM.
- Kevin Wegner (King Morbid) — vocals
- Hayden Crownover (Erebus) — lead guitar and backing vocals
- Bryan Bykowski (Slaanesh) — bass guitar and backing vocals
- Austin Vicars (Malevolence) — drums and percussion
