Worshipper releasing 'Shadow Hymns' (stream "Place Beyond the Light")

Boston’s Worshipper have been making a name for themselves as one of the city’s premiere live bands for a few years now, racking up official “best band” accolades at local publications and die-hard fans who live in the area. Now they’ve signed to Tee Pee records and are prepping their debut album Shadow Hymns, which hits on August 26th. We’re happy to premiere the first song released from that album, called “Place Beyond the Light.”

Worshipper traffic in the kind of classically-oriented capital-h Heavy Metal that delivers hooks as directly and effectively as possible. Equal parts Thin Lizzy and Iron Maiden, and with a sugar-sweet approach to harmony (both of guitar and vocals), this ends up as some of the catchiest metal being made today, veritable ear candy for us headbangers. “Place Beyond the Light” makes as good a case as any that these dudes know their way around a hook. Centered around a big, galloping riff, this one had me singing along and fist-pumping by the time they get to the chorus. The production here is spot-on, with lush backing vocals and carefully placed acoustic strums enhancing every element of the songwriting and guitar heroics. Psychedelia mingles with doom, NWOBHM and classic rock seamlessly to make something that essentially denies the difference between heavy metal and rock ‘n’ roll. It’s some of my favorite music of the year.

You can pre-order Shadow Hymns here. Check out “Place Beyond the Light” below.