Produced by Ballou, Bloodmoon: I is a harrowing and atmospheric collaborative effort that sees each performer working together and outside the comfort zones in order to create something that is truly unique to the project. Future sessions were planned for 2020 but the pandemic would see the remainder of the record be finished remotely. In late 2019, they were finally able to begin working on new material together at Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou’s God City Studio in Salem, Massachusetts.

The bass is, thankfully, remembered, because the tone of bassist Nate Newton is simply wonderful and the production is key in highlighting this essential attribute to the crucial low-end of Converge’s sound. The energy and rapturously received appearance inspired the group to want to make music together, though it would take several years before their schedules allowed. The complex guitar riffs churn out both punishing chords and more harmonious melodies which are both insanely complex and god damn catchy. The collaboration first began in 2016 at Roadburn festival in The Netherlands where the seven-piece performed revamped Converge material under the name Blood Moon. The album will be available on vinyl June 24 via Deathwish. Bloodmoon: I (Epitaph Records), the new collaborative album created by the legendary hardcore band Converge alongside dark songstress Chelsea Wolfe, her bandmate/writing partner Ben Chisholm, and Cave In vocalist/guitarist Stephen Brodsky, is out now.

Nate newton converge bass