Giddy Up! Records is pleased to announce the addition of Tennessee doomers PLACE OF SKULLS to their expanding artist roster, which currently includes Moth Eater, Black Water Rising and Demonica. The New York City-based indie imprint will release PLACE OF SKULLS' fourth full-length, 'As A Dog Returns', in North American on November 9, 2010.
Said Giddy Up! label head Steve Seabury: "To me, Victor Griffin is a legend in the doom scene. I am like a little kid at the doom store. It's an absolute honor and privilege to have PLACE OF SKULLS join the Giddy Up! Records family. This record is just amazing. I love it."
The follow-up to 2006's 'The Black Is Never Far' was recorded at Lakeside Studios in Knoxville by Travis Wyrick and founding guitarist/vocalist Victor Griffin (Pentagram, Death Row etc.) with drums recorded and engineered by Mike Dearing. Audio streams of 'The Maker' and the title track are currently available on the band official MySpace page. Check them out HERE.
In related news, the band will kick off a two-week European tour with Eternal Elysium this Saturday. Click here for the dates! As a special bonus, PLACE OF SKULLS fans in or around Berlin are eligible for a free pass to Hammer Of Doom 4 in Wurzburg and a FREE copy of As A Dog Returns. Contact placeofskulls (at) msn (dot) com for more info!
Formed in early 2000 by Griffin, bassist Lee Abney and drummer Tim Tomaselli, PLACE OF SKULLS -- a biblical reference to Golgotha -- carries the torch of prior Griffin and Abney bands such as Death Row and Pentagram in the ever-burgeoning underground scene of doom metal. But as their sound continues to expand beyond those boundaries, they incorporate intricate dynamics in their songs that few bands of the same genre explore and lyrically reflect upon their spiritual beliefs, faith, God, politics, and the search for peace. Having stepped outside the proverbial box of “doom metal,” PLACE OF SKULLS opens the door of accessibility to a whole other cross section of heavy rock enthusiast. But by no means should this be taken lightly. Their sound is as crushing and molten live as ever and no less threatening than any of their musical counterparts in volume.
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"As A Dog Returns is an album that gives me comfort, confidence, and strength. ‘Breath Of Life’ is like a dark valley…it's heavy and somehow uncomfortable, but you have to go through it, because it's a part of (our) lives. The sun will shine again and that happens also on this album. Its depth is intense and evocative..." -- Cosmic Lava
"...classy, solid and creative, the musicianship is second to none as Griffin is in top form, Tomaselli delivers a stellar performance on the drums and the bass playing of Abney is spot on." -- Doommantia
"...As A Dog Returns proves, convincingly, that PLACE OF SKULLS are much more than just a Trouble tribute band...a solid and creative heavy metal/hard rock album that will leave an imprint on many a listener." -- Metal Register
"...some of the best, somber, foreboding, and often dark, heavy/doom metal you'll find on this side of the Atlantic." -- Dangerdog