Members Of THE SWORD And ZOMBI Join Forces In New Doom Metal Project AUTUMN TOMB

AUTUMN TOMB, a new project from members of THE SWORD and ZOMBI, will release its self-titled debut album on November 6 via Spaceflight Records. A track from the LP, "Crumbling Thrones", can be streamed below.

AUTUMN TOMB consists of Steve Moore from the electronic prog-rock band ZOMBI, along with Bryan Richie and Santiago "Jimmy" Vela of the metal and stoner rock luminaries THE SWORD. Longtime fans of each others efforts, the two bands became friends during a west coast tour in 2022, with THE SWORD often inviting Moore on stage for an encore rendition of Ozzy Osbourne's "Mr. Crowley", later recorded and included on THE SWORD's limited-edition vinyl-only EP "Conquest Of Quarantine", released in 2023 through Try Hard Coffee. Moore and Richie also previously collaborated on ZOMBI's 2022 album "Zombi & Friends, Vol. 1", released via Relapse Records.

The idea to collaborate on AUTUMN TOMB was conceived in 2024 by Moore who felt it was time to embark on something darker, heavier and expansive with him taking the roles of guitarist, lyricist, vocalist, and synths. He wanted to include a rhythm section he knew would embrace this adventurous spark of creativity with open arms, enter Richie on bass and Vela on drums. Moore found the AUTUMN TOMB project as an opportunity to explore a new realm of slow, detuned doom metal and sludge, but with an edge of dark synth ambience as a way to jolt peoples expectations and a constructive way to release negative energy.

AUTUMN TOMB's album was recorded at Moore's Nightmare City in Albany, New York and engineered by Richie at Paper Weapons Studio in Taylor, Texas, with additional engineering by Phil Manley at Hummingbird Studio in Oakland, California.

Steve Moore comments: "I've been a fan of metal since the late '80s and have wanted to put together a group like this for a while. What really lit the fire for me though was in 2022 when ZOMBI toured supporting THE SWORD, and then a few months later supporting OM. Kinda rekindled my love of heavy music."

Santiago Vela adds: "When the opportunity arose to work on a new heavy music project with Steve Moore, it was a no-brainer for me. I've been a long time admirer of ZOMBI as well as Steve's solo work for many years before I knew him. I have known Bryan since I was a teen, going back to the early '00s coming up in the Austin music scene and have been lucky enough to rock alongside of him since 2011 with THE SWORD."

With its five sprawling compositions, the album firmly qualifies as a full-length release. It’s a side is dominated with tracks in the six-minute range, with even the shortest, "Golgatha", clocking in at 5:44, alongside the devastating colossus "Miracles Of Pain" and the album opener "Ages Lost". Extending to 7:41, "Eternal Sea" joins the nearly 10-minute crusher "Crumbling Thrones" on side B, underscoring the albums weight.

Bryan Richie says: "I was captivated from the first note of the demos Steve sent us! I am honored to put my sonic fingerprints on these amazing tracks and it was a privilege to be able to work with my longtime friend and musical collaborator Santiago Vela."

"Autumn Tomb" is limited to 500 copies on 180-gram vinyl in three variants and 100 copies on cassette tape as well as all streaming services.

Both ZOMBI and THE SWORD have enjoyed lengthy and prosperous careers releasing albums and touring the world. ZOMBI has been consistently releasing music since 2001, with the band's most recent album, "Direct Inject", arriving in 2024 on Relapse Records. They have toured in the U.S. with acts such as OM, TRANS AM, THE FUCKING CHAMPS, ISIS as well as the legendary Italian progressive and horror soundtrack act GOBLIN, which Moore would later join as a keyboardist during their North American tours in 2013 and 2014. They've also co-headlined tours in Japan with JESU and supported GHOST in Europe. Moore would also go on to record with GHOST on their 2018 album "Prequelle". Moore's solo work has also been a prolific endeavor with countless albums and soundtrack scores, as well as supporting a variety of artists such as Malcom Cecil, Richard Pinhas, FUTURE ISLANDS and BATTLES.

THE SWORD has released some of their genre's most identifiable and influential albums, including "Age Of Winters" in 2006, "Gods Of The Earth" in 2008, and "Warp Riders" in 2010 on Kemado Records. Joining in 2011, Santiago Vela was introduced into the band's discography with 2012's "Apocryphon", 2015's "High Country" (with its acoustic companion "Low Country" in 2016) and "Used Future" in 2018 released on Razor & Tie, all of which entered the Billboard 200, peaking at No. 17 with "Apocryphon" and No. 30 with "High Country". They have also released two live albums and the career-spanning compilations, "Conquest Of Kingdoms" and "Chronology 2006-2018". THE SWORD's touring career has also been extensive, including support tours alongside MASTODON, MACHINE HEAD, DOWN and LAMB OF GOD during METALLICA's "World Magnetic" tour spanning from 2008 into 2009, supporting the return of KYUSS in 2013, and U.S. and European tours supporting bands such as CLUTCH, IN FLAMES, OPETH, as well as PRIMUS during their RUSH tribute tour in 2021. They have shared the stage with some of rock's most revered names such as GUNS N' ROSES and MOTÖRHEAD and have toured relentlessly across Japan, Australia, New Zealand, North and South America and Europe.