Today, Everything is Noise is proud to welcome Vessel back with a full stream of their brand new album. The Somnifer, out November 1, is an ambitious concept album inspired by the underground stoner and doom scenes, diving deep into themes of trauma’s aftermath and the mysterious world of sleep. Written by guitarist and songwriter Jordan Forster in solitude during the worldwide pandemic, the album is a personal exploration of his experiences with trauma, mirrored against the unknown landscapes of the sleep-state. The band indicates that the album was born from sitting with trauma and its effects:
‘The Somnifer was, like so many albums released since mid-2020, written in reflective isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. This time apart provided me with the separation and introspection needed to craft an album centered around my own experiences of dealing with trauma, which often mirrors our personal connection with the enigma of sleep.’
This album guides listeners through a mental odyssey, shifting between feelings of empowerment and unease and marries the weighty drama of classic doom influences like Candlemass and Cathedral and the cosmic psychedelia of bands like All Them Witches and King Buffalo. The raw intensity of hardcore and crossover elements, enriched by the classic heavy metal’s instrumental depth can also be felt throughout this record. While the vocals don’t really begin in earnest until the third track, the layers and textures that are on display through the first two songs – the title track and “Draining The Labyrinth” – show a measured approach in building an album through gradual progression. Then when the vocals hit on “Rapid Eye Movement” and the punky follow-up “Eat the Day”, The Somnifer shows that even as the album nears the midpoint, it still has more and more to reveal. I won’t spoil the entire record but this album goes to some surprising places and paints with more hues than one would expect. So check out the full album stream and then get your own copy!
The Somnifer also features standout guest contributions from artists Neal Stein (El Supremo, ex-Egypt), Andy Shardlow (Josiah), D. Lolli (Mama Doom), and Ceridwen McCooey, all adding layers to its immersive, resonant soundscape. You can pre-order The Somnifer here and be sure to follow Vessel on Facebook, Instagram, and Bandcamp.
