U.S. "DOOM POP" BAND SOM ANNOUNCES INNOVATIVE NEW ALBUM LET THE LIGHT IN
PHOTO CREDIT: Mike Repasch-Nieves
SOM has revealed that their third full-length album, ‘Let The Light In,’ will be released on March 14 through the Berlin-based avant-garde label Pelagic Records.
Described as "Doom Pop" by Metal Injection, SOM's dreamy shoegaze influences are prominent in ‘Let The Light In’, but there’s an intense and powerful essence at its center. While their debut album, ‘The Fall,’ examined hitting rock bottom and their second release, ‘The Shape of Everything’, confronted the darkening world, ‘Let The Light In’ shifts focus inward, exploring our most basic instincts: the search for comfort and connection within ourselves and with those we cherish.
A turning point occurred when the band's founding drummer unexpectedly departed midway through the album's writing and recording. SOM spent the rest of 2023 reconfiguring their sound and re-recording much of the album, allowing them to explore even wider sonic landscapes. The outcome is a raw yet melodically rich collection that bravely navigates the depths of human emotion, ultimately leading to personal growth and enlightenment.
As a revitalized expression of their purpose, the lead single "Give Blood" bursts forth with post-metal energy, heavy distortion, and powerful drumming before expanding into a sweeping, euphoric chorus where intertwining guitars and vocalist Will Benoit's tender yet commanding voice soar together.
To complement this new release, SOM has launched a visually stunning music video directed by Alex Pace (Blood Incantation, Wayfarer, Abrams). Featuring an anonymous couple through a series of intense, dreamlike visuals intertwined with swirling light, the video also reveals a darker element that balances the idyllic scenes, inviting viewers to interpret its meaning.
"It's a sort of post-pandemic reflection on kindness and how we treat one another," says Benoit. "The idea came while I was laying on a table, actually giving blood. It occurred to me how kind someone would have to be to be doing this during a pandemic. I started to think about how many people were doing awful things at that time, spreading misinformation and just generally being horrible people in society. I continue to want to do everything I can to not be that person, I want to be the kind of person who 'gives blood.'"
Since 2019, SOM has embarked on extensive tours across North America, Europe, and the UK, sharing the stage with notable acts such as Katatonia, Solstafir, and Slow Crush. This unwavering commitment to live performances in 21 countries and the introspective restructuring in 2023 has significantly influenced their creative direction.
As they began to create new material, the members of SOM discovered themselves in a revitalized mental space equipped with a hard-won maturity. Let The Light In stands as a testament to their resilience and growth. Emerging from adversity and transformation, the album radiates confidence and catharsis, encouraging both the band and listeners to navigate through the darkness and seek the light.
Let The Light In will be released on March 14.
"Give Blood" is available NOW!