THE NEW AND IMPROVED BEWILDERBIEST IS NOT BEREFT OF AWESOMENESS

We got all hot n’ bothered back in May, when Derek Rydquist (ex-The Faceless), Sacha Dunable (Intronaut/Graviton/MetalSucks columnist),  Charles Elliott (Abysmal Dawn), and Derek Donley (National Sunday Law/Graviton) announced the formation of a new project, Bewilderbiest. But now we’re even MORE hot n’ bothered to learn that not only has the band changed their name to a less schticky moniker, Bereft, but have also debuted a new song, “Withered Efflorescence,” on their Facebook page (“like” required).

The song is positively crushing, and, you should be happy to learn, sounds nothing like any of the bands of which these musicians have previously been members. It’s a long, slow, heavy-as-Dino-giving-Milano-a-piggy-back-ride doom number, which makes the band’s new name seem all the more fitting. Here’s a comment on the tune from Mr. Elliott himself:

“This will give everyone a taste of what this band is about; dark, depressing, doom.Definitely different from what we do in our usual bands. It’s heavy as hell and we’re all really proud how the record and collaboration came out, and we hope people feel the same way.

“On this particular track Sacha and Derek D. worked together on the music while Derek R. and I worked on the lyrics. I’ve always envisioned vocal tradeoffs with Sacha on this one, ever since the demo he sent me years ago, so that’s what you hear on the chorus.”

Check out “Withered Efflorescence” here.

There’s still no word on a release date for the band’s debut album, but they have announced their first show. It will take place on Friday, September 30 at the Handbag Factory in Los Angeles, and — here’s the best part! — it’s FREE!!! You can get more details here. This makes me sad we don’t live in L.A…. if any of our Los Angelino readers hit up the gig, please let us know how it is.

-AR

Thanks to Ashley Lee for the tip!