.png)
Toronto post-metal outfit lowheaven has released a crushing new single and video, “Mercy Death,” taken from their forthcoming debut album Ritual Decay, due out August 29 via MNRK Heavy. The track captures the band’s signature blend of bleak atmosphere and emotional intensity, with vocalist/guitarist Dan Thomson calling it “the soundtrack to my nightmares.” Produced by Brett Romnes and mastered by Magnus Lindberg, the record leans heavily into ‘90s influences like Cave In and Deftones while confronting themes of spiritual disillusionment and social isolation.
“Mercy Death” stands as a defining moment for the band, with Thomson reflecting on how the song shaped the band’s sonic direction. He describes late nights spent rewriting lyrics, desperately seeking catharsis through music. Guitarist/keyboardist Alex Pley shares that the song’s original working title was “Godzilla” due to its massive sonic weight, while guitarist Pat Pajak notes the song’s feeling of building tension—an elastic band on the verge of snapping. These vivid insights reflect Ritual Decay’s ambition to blend overwhelming dread with emotional resonance.
Formed in early 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, lowheaven—comprised of Thomson, Mikey Buchta (vocals/bass), Pley, and Pajak—emerged out of personal and collective turmoil. Each member experienced significant loss and transformation during that time, from the collapse of relationships to devastating health diagnoses. These experiences culminated in notebooks full of raw lyrics and a shared commitment to expressing grief, anger, and resolve through music. The band tracked both Ritual Decay and their earlier EP Collapse in a centuries-old church, using isolation and horror film marathons to remain immersed in the bleak emotional territory of the music.
Ritual Decay features ten tracks, including the already released “Chemical Pattern” and new single “Mercy Death.” The band will hit the road this July with Tan And Handsome for a brief U.S. tour, with stops including Brooklyn, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh. Known for their devastating live presence, lowheaven is poised to translate their intense studio work into cathartic performances. Fans are advised to prepare for a sonic experience that’s as brutal as it is beautiful.
With a sound that fuses post-hardcore, screamo, blackened noise, and sludge metal, lowheaven defies easy categorization. Their debut is not just an album, but an emotional reckoning. Pre-orders for Ritual Decay are now available on CD, LP, and digital formats. For fans of extreme music that prizes depth, atmosphere, and emotional authenticity, lowheaven offers a compelling, if harrowing, listen.
