Hypaethral Records have reissued "Cosmolith", the debut full-length from Canadian blackened death duo ARKTHEOS, out today on LP and CD for the first time.
The first glimmer of ARKTHEOS was kindled in 2015, guided by a vision at once introspective and violent, meditative yet visceral, embodying both darkness and the fire that cuts through it. D. Ibson (guitars, voice) began composing the earliest material as a continuation of his previous work in melodic black metal, but with a stronger emphasis on muscular riffing, pummelling rhythms and a deeper exploration of nature and spirituality. Years later he joined forces with T. Pill (drums, synth), and the shared vision took on a more defined and formidable shape.
The band issued a first demo in late 2023, followed by "Cosmolith", released digitally in the summer of 2025. Drawing on the intensity and chaos of both death and black metal, the album channels elemental forces and cosmic immensity into psychedelic visions, hymns to forgotten gods and declarations of defiance in the face of infinity. The label points listeners toward BÖLZER, URFAUST and BOLT THROWER.
"'Cosmolith' came from the desire to harness the energy and scope of extreme metal and channel it to express genuine awe and wonder," Ibson says. "It is a dense psychedelic sonic tumult that bridges death metal and black metal, built around an emotional core of ecstasy and revelation.
"It is the violence of a summer storm, the crashing waves of the ocean, a thundering herd of wild animals. It is the sound of gazing into infinity and getting lost in the stars; of a massive ancient forest, teeming with life and full of secrets; and of a mortal being grappling with such vastness.
"It is the blood rushing through your veins and your primal instincts roaring to life. These songs are anthems to the nameless gods and spirits who embody each of these."
"Cosmolith" features cover art by Adam Burke. ARKTHEOS recorded the album themselves at Black Hall, and Roland Rodas handled mastering at Cavern of Echoes. The reissue is available on vinyl, limited to 200 copies on meteorite-coloured wax, and on CD, limited to 200 pro-pressed discs in a four-panel digipak.
"Cosmolith" track listing:
- The River
- Voracious Bloom
- Cosmic Forge
- Vortex Hammer
- Gate To Pathless Lands
- Feral Gnosis
- Stormblood
Stream and order "Cosmolith": hypaethralrecords.bandcamp.com
Label webshop: hypaethralrecords.com