FINNISH DEATH-SLUDGE QUARTET BLACK ROYAL UNVEIL NEW SINGLE “WATER OF THE CROW”
- Jason Hesley
- Mar 25
- 2 min read
Following the crushing success of their previous full-length ‘Earthbound,’ Finnish masters of "death 'n' sludge," BLACK ROYAL, have officially returned. The band have unleashed their haunting new digital single, "Water of the Crow," accompanied by a striking music video. The track serves as the first glimpse into the group’s highly anticipated new studio album, slated for release later this autumn via M-Theory Audio. Please listen to “Water of the Crow” at all digital streaming/download platforms.
Formed in the frozen reaches of the North, BLACK ROYAL continues to refine their signature sound—a visceral concoction of Scandinavian death metal and blackened sludge. Critics and fans alike have described their sonic assault as "a fistfight between Crowbar and Entombed, with Behemoth and Mastodon awaiting to jump in the ring for round two."
The Myth of the Black Pond
"Water of the Crow" is more than just a sonic onslaught; it is a conceptual dive into the ancient folklore of Lapland. The track explores the Sámi myth of the Saivo—bottomless lakes believed to be refuges for water spirits and sources of healing waters flowing from South to North.
"When watching the currents moving in deep waters, something awakens in the primitive parts of modern man's consciousness. Only a healer or a soothsayer was allowed to take the water, and the spirit first demanded a metal object as a sacrificial gift – a silver coin, needle, or even animal antlers,” the band shares regarding the song's inspiration. “After that, the spring bubbled up, where the healing water could be taken. Who was the spirit? It does not appear in the form of a person. It was a spirit in the water itself, which is the ultimate essence of water and its protector. Every natural body of water has its own owner, whether it's a lake, a river, or a well. If you stayed close to it, you could enjoy the healing and refreshing power of the water, especially in the "crow water" drawn before sunrise or on certain festive nights."
The accompanying music video (watch HERE) was crafted by Markus Vähäaho of RAW•ART Creations, featuring additional atmospheric footage by Tanja Eronen.
To capture the raw, heavy energy required for the track, the band returned to Studio Watercastle to record with Arttu Sarvanne (Immortal Souls, Silentium, Enter My Silence). The final product was mixed by Jussi Kulomaa (Dreamtale, A.R.G.) at Metal Mixing and mastered by Jaakko Viitalähde (Blind Guardian, Oranssi Pazuzu, Xysma) at Virtalähde Mastering.
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