Finnish melodic metal band BLACKMENT have unveiled their new single „Afterlife“, a brooding and atmospheric track built around a single chord progression. The release comes alongside the announcement that their upcoming second studio album has been pushed beyond its originally planned June date. The single offers a compelling preview of the band’s evolving sound.Finnish melodic metal outfit BLACKMENT have released „Afterlife“, the latest single from their highly anticipated second studio album, which has simultaneously been confirmed as delayed past its original June release window. The band cited the extended production of the final five tracks as the reason for the postponement, stating that the additional time is necessary to deliver the record in the precise shape they envision.
Keyboardist Sebastian Nyandoto describes „Afterlife“ as a dynamic composition that showcases the band’s more atmospheric and lighter side, highlighting the individual strengths of every member. Guitarist and composer Saalas Ruokangas set himself a deliberate compositional challenge with the track, constructing the entire song around a single chord progression while deliberately avoiding conventional radio-friendly structures. The result, according to Ruokangas, is a piece whose core elements are introduced gradually before converging in a unified climax.
Lyricist and vocalist Sami Vuorenheimo drew on themes of loneliness and the fierce desire to protect loved ones, crafting what he describes as a cryptic narrative in which anxiety permeates every layer. Vuorenheimo has hinted that the upcoming album may feature a continuation of the story with an unexpected twist, with clues embedded in the song’s closing moments.
The accompanying music video was directed by the duo Allan Välimaa and Hille Sadehelmi, who previously helmed the „In Motion“ video. The visual concept was developed collaboratively by the full team and makes deliberate use of symbolism intended to complement the song’s narrative.
Founded in Hyvinkää, Finland in 2014, BLACKMENT released their debut album „Plains of Oblivion“ in autumn 2022 to widespread European airplay and a nomination for newcomer of the year by KAAOSZINE. The band is distributed through Inverse Music Group.