Austere - Beneath the Threshold
When their voluntary break ended with the release of "Corrosion of Hearts" in 2023, the duo consisting of Mitchell Keepin and Tim Yatras returned with a more mature and defined version of their own particular style of black metal, which reflected both their greater experience and evolution as artists. Both musicians had been active in other bands during the hiatus of AUSTERE.

While "Corrosion of Hearts" formed the bridge between the band's musical history and the artists' fresh vision, "Beneath the Threshold" takes a leap of expression. AUSTERE's sonic heritage is still alive. Even though their roots in early Norse black metal and its depressive Scandinavian offspring continue to shine through, it is also apparent that the Australians have audibly strengthened their emotional expressiveness and previous blackgaze leanings beyond the point where a stylistic shift towards the latter needs to be diagnosed.

On "Beneath the Threshold", AUSTERE offer more hooks and melodic harmonies to complement the multi-layered, harsh and dreamlike guitar textures expertly woven by Keepin with the aid of Yatras' emotive drumming. This development is emphasised by a suitable production that lets each of the elements shine and does not try to blur the riffs.

AUSTERE evolved out of a solo-project run by multi-instrumentalist and singer Desolate alias Mitchell Keepin who joined forces with drummer, keyboard player, and vocalist Sorrow aka Tim Yatras in 2005. Signature frost-bitten guitars, alongside high-pitched screams and wails marked AUSTERE's debut album "Withering Illusions and Desolation" (2007) as well as the two split-releases "Only the Wind Remembers / Ending the Circle of Life" (with LYRINX, 2008) and "Bleak..." (with ISOLATION, 2008), which AUSTERE reissued partly on the EP "Only the Wind Remembers" (2008). The sophomore album "To Lay like Old Ashes" followed in 2009 and still featured a raw sound but with a refined production.

The same year, AUSTERE entered a voluntary hiatus until activities were resumed in 2021. During their absence the number of followers continued to grow through word of mouth.

For AUSTERE the stars under the Southern Cross have newly aligned and the harsh majestic beauty of "Beneath the Threshold" calls out to everyone to raise their eyes up to the night sky around the globe and behold the finally unleashed Australian band in its full musical glory.

Release date: April 5, 2024
Label: Lupus Lounge
Style: Darkgaze

Tracklist
1. Thrall
2. The Sunset of Life
3. Faded Ghost
4. Cold Cerecloth
5. Words Unspoken
6. Of Severance

Line-up
Mitchell Keepin guitars, bass, keyboards, vocals
Tim Yatras drums, keyboards, vocals