SCOUR, the powerhouse extreme metal collective featuring a star-studded lineup of heavy music legends, has unleashed a ferocious new music video for their latest single, “Blades”. The track is a standout from their highly anticipated full-length album, “Gold”, set to drop on February 21, 2025. the album will be released in North America via Housecore Records and in Europe through nuclear Blast.
With a lineup that includes Philip H.Anselmo (PANTERA, DOWN), Derek Engemann (PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS), John Jarvis (NEST, AGORAPHOBIC NOSEBLEED), Mark Kloeppel (MISERY INDEX), and Adam jarvis (PIG DESTROYER, MISERY INDEX, LOCK UP), SCOUR delivers a sonic assault that blends black metal’s raw intensity with grindcore, punk, and thrash influences. Their sound is a relentless,minimalist onslaught that pays homage to extreme metal’s origins while carving out a bold,modern identity.
The band’s first single from “gold”, “Infusorium”, released in November, garnered widespread acclaim. revolver praised it as “an absolutely face-melting blast packed with elements of black metal, grindcore, punk, and thrash, all topped by Anselmo‘s throat-shredding death roar.” Similarly, Metal Injection declared, “holy shit, Anselmo sounds nothing short of demonic on this thing.”
The “Blades” music video, directed by Malcolm Pugh, is a visceral experience that combines footage from Anselmo‘s annual Housecore Home Haunt 2024 and SCOUR‘s electrifying live performance at Southport Hall in New orleans. The result is a dark, gothic visual feast that perfectly complements the track’s unrelenting energy.
Derek Engemann shared his thoughts on the single: ”SCOUR comes in hot with our second offering from the ‘Gold’ LP, ‘Blades’ — a fierce, ripping, ‘unholy grilling of spirits!’ From the very beginning of the ‘Gold’ writing sessions, ‘Blades’ stood out with its unrelenting, grinding riffage — a natural choice for track 2, keeping the album’s blistering energy alive.”
He added, “The accompanying music video amplifies the intensity, filmed at none other than Philip Anselmo‘s private home Haunt. Shot during the Halloween season, the grotesque and gothic atmosphere provided the perfect backdrop for this ‘tower of gore.’ The video is topped off with spliced footage from our recent live show at the Southport Hall in New orleans. Filmed and directed by the talented Malcolm Pugh, ‘Blades’ is a blood-soaked anthem that demands to be blasted at maximum volume.”
“Gold” features striking cover art by Cain Gillis and will be available in multiple formats, including CD, LP, limited edition cassette (U.S.only), and digital. The album’s track listing is as follows:
01. Cross
02. Blades
03. Infusorium
04. Ornaments
05. Coin
06. Evil
07. Devil
08. Contaminated
09. Hell
10. Invoke
11. Gold
12. Angels
13. Serve
Since their formation in 2015, SCOUR has been a force to reckon with in the extreme metal scene. Their debut single, “Dispatched”, and subsequent releases have cemented their reputation as one of the genre’s most uncompromising acts. with “Gold”, the band continues to push boundaries, delivering an album that promises to be a landmark in extreme metal history.
SCOUR’s Journey to “Gold”: A New Era of Metal Mastery
Since their inception, SCOUR has carved a unique path in the metal scene, blending raw aggression with meticulous craftsmanship.Their debut EP, released in 2016, marked the beginning of a relentless journey. By 2017,they followed up with “The Red EP,” further solidifying their reputation. The band’s most ferocious work to date,”The Black EP,” arrived in 2020,featuring collaborations with industry heavyweights like Erik Rutan,Pat O’Brien,and even actor Jason Momoa.
Now, SCOUR is set to redefine their legacy with their first full-length album, aptly titled “Gold.” This monumental project includes a guest solo by Gary Holt of SLAYER and EXODUS fame.Recording began in February 2023 at Nodferatu’s Lair, the personal studio of philip Anselmo, who has been instrumental in steering the band’s creative direction. The sessions were intense, with the band deeply immersed in perfecting every detail, from blistering blast beats to intricate lyrical themes.
Anselmo’s vocal recordings commenced in the fall of 2023,with backup vocals added during PANTERA’s february 2024 tour. The band meticulously reviewed instrumentation mixes backstage, ensuring every track met their exacting standards. Onc finalized, the album was sent to Fascination Street Studio in Örebro, Sweden, where Jens Bogren handled the mastering, adding the final polish to this enterprising project.
despite their relatively brief career,SCOUR has graced some of the world’s most prestigious metal festivals,including Roskilde,Hellfest,Tecate Metal Fest,and Maryland Deathfest. Their live performances are as electrifying as their studio work, cementing their status as a powerhouse in the metal community. With “Gold,” SCOUR promises to deliver an album that not only meets but exceeds the high expectations of their fans.
As SCOUR continues to push boundaries, their dedication to their craft and their fans remains unwavering. “Gold” is not just an album; it’s a testament to their evolution and a bold statement of what’s to come. Stay tuned for more updates as SCOUR prepares to unleash their latest masterpiece upon the world.
What motivated Philip H. Anselmo to blend these distinct genres in SCOUR’s musical style?
Owed up with ”Red”, a seven-song EP that solidified their place as a formidable force in extreme metal. Now, with their upcoming LP, “Gold”, SCOUR raises the bar even higher, brinrying together the talent of some of metal’s most celebrated artists.
Interview with Philip H. anselmo of SCOUR: Unveiling “Gold” and the future of Extreme Metal
Archyde: Philip, thank you for taking the time to speak with us. SCOUR’s new album, “Gold,” is set to drop on February 21, 2025, and the anticipation is palpable. How does it feel to finally share this project with the world?
Philip H. Anselmo: It’s always an exciting time when you’re about to release new music, especially with SCOUR. This album has been a labor of love, and we’ve poured everything we’ve got into it.The energy,the aggression,the atmosphere—it’s all there. We’re ready for the world to hear it.
Archyde: Let’s talk about the latest single, “Blades.” The music video is a visceral mix of Halloween haunt footage and live performance clips.What was the creative process behind this track and it’s visual counterpart?
Philip H.Anselmo: “Blades” is one of those tracks that just hits you right out of the gate. It’s fast, relentless, and unapologetically brutal. We wanted the video to match that intensity, so we combined footage from my annual Housecore home Haunt with our live show at Southport Hall in New Orleans.Malcolm Pugh, who directed it, did an incredible job capturing the dark, gothic vibe we were going for.
archyde: The album features an all-star lineup, including Derek Engemann, John Jarvis, Mark Kloeppel, and Adam Jarvis. How does the collaboration process work with such a talented group of musicians?
Philip H. Anselmo: It’s a pretty seamless process, honestly. Everyone brings their own unique style and expertise to the table, but there’s a shared understanding of what SCOUR is about. We’re all pushing in the same direction—to create the most uncompromising, aggressive music possible. The chemistry is undeniable.
archyde: SCOUR’s sound is a blend of black metal, grindcore, punk, and thrash. What inspired this fusion, and how do you ensure it stays fresh and inventive?
Philip H. Anselmo: I’ve always been drawn to the raw energy and intensity of these genres. They’re the foundation of extreme metal, and they’ve been a huge part of my musical journey. The key to keeping it fresh is to stay true to the roots while pushing the boundaries. We’re not afraid to experiment, but we also respect the traditions that shaped us.
archyde: The album’s first single, “Infusorium,” received widespread acclaim, with outlets like Revolver and Metal Injection praising its intensity. What was the reception like from fans, and how did it shape the rollout of “Gold”?
Philip H. Anselmo: the response to “Infusorium” was incredible. Fans have been hungry for new SCOUR material, and it was great to see them embrace it with such enthusiasm. It definitely set the tone for the rest of the album rollout. We wanted to keep that momentum going with “Blades” and the other tracks.
Archyde: The album’s cover art by Cain Gillis is striking and adds another layer to the project. How crucial is visual art in conveying the themes of “Gold”?
Philip H. Anselmo: Visual art is crucial. It’s the first thing people see, and it sets the tone for the entire album. Cain did an amazing job capturing the dark, metallic aesthetic of “Gold.” The artwork is as much a part of the experience as the music itself.
Archyde: SCOUR has been a force in extreme metal since 2015. How do you see the band evolving, and what can fans expect in the future?
Philip H. Anselmo: We’re always evolving, but the core of SCOUR remains the same—uncompromising, aggressive, and unrelenting. We’ll continue to push ourselves and explore new territories while staying true to our roots. Fans can expect more music, more shows, and more of the same intensity they’ve come to expect from us.
Archyde: what message would you like to give to the fans eagerly awaiting “Gold”?
Philip H. Anselmo: Thank you for your unwavering support. “Gold” is our most aspiring project yet, and we can’t wait for you to hear it. Get ready for a sonic assault that’s going to leave you breathless.See you on the road.
Archyde: Philip, thank you again for your time. We’re thrilled about the release of “Gold” and can’t wait to see what the future holds for SCOUR.
Philip H. Anselmo: Thank you. Stay heavy.
