Just over a month ago, Phil McSorley, vocalist and lyricist for U.S. black metal duo Cobalt, took to the band's Facebook page to announce he was abandoning the project. In the post, which has since been removed, McSorley explained that he didn't feel like he was a part of the band's original vision anymore. He went on to say that he would continue making music himself and that Eric Wunder, the half of the pair responsible for playing the lion's share of the instruments on the band's recorded material, was free to continue recording music as Cobalt if he so desired. The announcement came as a surprise to fans since the band had recently completed a successful East Coast tour and appearance at Maryland Deathfest in May of 2013 and had previously announced plans to record a new album titled Slow Forever after the tour wrapped up.
Cobalt are the definition of a cult band and the quality of McSorley and Wunder's music is matched only by the infrequency of their output. Eater of Birds and Gin are both stunning examples of USBM, and many consider them to be nearly flawless albums. Needless to say, the abrupt dissolution of the band was a huge loss to the extreme metal community. Then, this past Monday, McSorley posted another Facebook message explaining that he had spoken to Wunder and the two would be recording new music as Cobalt again. The announcement, which you can read in full below, was abrupt and blunt with little explanation as to why he decided to return to the band and no details on when to expect new music – but beggars can't be choosers.
"In the end, all one ever experiences is one's self.
Erik and I have had a rocky last few years due to extreme personal experience. I cant discredit him for his profound personal development, considering that I have been elusive due to my nature as well.
We have spoken and a new Cobalt album will be recorded, and will be massive and overshadow everthing (sic) we,and many others, have ever done."
Hopefully McSorley and Wunder will have some news about a future release date for Slow Forever in the near future, and maybe even a taste of what's to come in the form of newly recorded material. The duo has proven time and again that they have a passion for visceral black metal, and McSorley's comment that the new music will overshadow everything Cobalt, and many other bands, have done in the past only sounds arrogant if you've never heard one of the band's albums. For now, satiate your hunger for ferocious black metal with the title track from Cobalt's 2009 album Gin.
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