Metal Mind Productions presents a re-release of the only studio album by the American death/doom metal band Sorrow.
Sorrow’s history is a by-the-book example of a band who had genuine talent, but just weren’t lucky enough to survive the avalanche of metal releases in the early 90’s. Today, the group’s debut album “Hatred and Disgust” (1992), along with the preceding EP “Forgotten Sunrise” (1991), are considered as true metal classics, hunted by music collectors all around the world. This exclusive double reissue brings back these classics in all of their brutal, devastating glory…
The group was originally formed in 1988, bearing the name Apparition. Back then, the five-piece (consisting of vocalist Rob Hermandez, bassist Rich Figlia, drummer Mike Hymson and guitarists Andy Marchione and Brett Clarin) played straight-forward thrash metal, much like many other bands on the New York scene. The scene itself was divided between thrash and hardcore fans. Apparition was a quite successful project, recording overall 2 demos and 1 EP – “Eternally Forgotten/Curse The Sunrise” – released by Relapse Records. They also played numerous shows with other scene bands like Suffocation or Gorguts. The buzz around the group was getting bigger and soon they got their chance to shine. “We were guests of Suffocation at a Roadrunner Records Christmas party. The story goes like this. While Mike was chatting it up with Monte, the A&R guy at Roadrunner, I slipped our 4-song cassette tape, later titled ‘Forgotten Sunrise’, into the sound system that everybody was listening to that night. Mike said to Monte, ‘this is my band playing now’. And Monte said, ‘Come back on Monday and we’ll talk about a contract.’”. The band went on to release their first EP, “Forgotten Sunrise”, under the new label on October 29th, 1991, right after changing their name to Sorrow. The EP contained mostly old material, but the musical direction known from Apparition’s early recordings has drastically changed. The band became strongly influenced by death and doom metal, which they proved on their first and only full-length offering called “Hatred and Disgust”. The album was released on October 6th, 1992, bringing six tracks of oppressive, brutally heavy music. The material on the debut CD showcased an incredible progression for Sorrow, who instantly became a remarkable talent on the death/doom scene, mostly thanks to sticking to the true nature of doom metal and skipping all those things like gothic overtones or subtle atmospherics. Instead, they delivered crushing riffs, a monstrous bass sound and deep, powerful growling. Reviewers often compared the band to another scene phenomenon – Winter, and some people even called “Hatred and Disgust” a doomified Slayer. The group managed to play some shows with bands such as Sepultura, Death, Deceased or Immolation but the overall promotion of the album was rather poor. “We didn’t really tour” – explained Andy Marchione. “I think we refused a European tour with a bigger act because some of the guys didn’t want to miss a semester at college or something like that. But it was a cool experience to get a pay-check from album sales and have 2 albums that were basically released all over the world.”
Sadly, the band did not stand the tight competition from other acts and eventually got signed off Roadrunner’s roster. This became the direct reason for Sorrow’s disbandment in May, 1993. Some of the musicians associated with the group went on to form new projects, others retired from music in general. There were some rumors of getting the band back together but that eventually didn’t work out. Sorrow faded away like many other talented groups before them…
Sadly, the band did not stand the tight competition from other acts and eventually got signed off Roadrunner’s roster. This became the direct reason for Sorrow’s disbandment in May, 1993. Some of the musicians associated with the group went on to form new projects, others retired from music in general. There were some rumors of getting the band back together but that eventually didn’t work out. Sorrow faded away like many other talented groups before them…
Today, we are proud to bring you back this true metal legend and their classic works. Both “Forgotten Sunrise” and “Hatred and Disgust” represent the sheer essence of death and doom metal. But this time the essence won’t be forgotten… The new digipak edition of the album is limited to 2000 copies. The re-issue is extended by the addition of “Forgotten Sunrise” EP. Digitally remastered using 24-Bit process, released on a golden disc. The release date is scheduled for 2nd August in Europe and 5th October in USA (via MVD).
Sorrow
“Hatred And Disgust / Forgotten Sunrise EP” (remastered)
“Hatred And Disgust / Forgotten Sunrise EP” (remastered)
Label: Metal Mind Records
Cat. No.: MASS CD 1364 DG
Barcode: 5907785035997
Format: CD Digipak
(limited edition of 2000 numbered copies)
Genre: Death/Doom Metal
Release date: 02.08.2010 Europe / 5.10.2010 USA
Tracklist:
1. Insatiable
2. Forced repression
3. Illusion of freedom
4. Human error
5. Separative adjectives
6. Unjustified reluctance
2. Forced repression
3. Illusion of freedom
4. Human error
5. Separative adjectives
6. Unjustified reluctance
Bonus tracks (Forgotten Sunrise EP):
7. Awaiting the savior
8. Eternally forgotten
9. Curse the sunrise
10. A wasted cry for hope
8. Eternally forgotten
9. Curse the sunrise
10. A wasted cry for hope
