BELOW THE SUN have unveiled the video for new track, Mirrors, via the Cvlt Nation website. Mirrors sees the Russian four-piece at their expansive, heavy and atmospheric best, in anticipation of the release of their new record, Alien World on May 26.

Alien World is based on the science fiction novel Solaris by Stanislaw Lem; a 1961 tale that explores the nature of human memory in the context of complex communications between human and non-human life forms. The non-human life form that is at the centre of the story in Alien World is an oceanic planet which is capable of bringing human memories into a physical form. The pelagic themes explored within the music on the album continues into the artwork, which depicts an alternative view of the ocean.

The album was recorded at two different studios in the band’s home town of Krasnoyarsk, Siberia. No synthesisers or samplers were used during the recording; all sounds were made by guitars, bass, drums and vocals, with some later processed by effects pedals. The band has built layer upon layer of audio explorations, with clear overtones of black metal in the bleak soundscapes, oppressive doom, and swirling, atmospheric metal.

With inspirations ranging from Pink Floyd to Khanate, Jimi Hendrix to Ahab, the influence of such bands is at times obvious, and at others no more than a subtle nod. The results leave the band hovering between genres, but no worse of for it. Choosing not to focus into what sub-genre they’re most suited to, BELOW THE SUN instead focus on expressing the depths of human emotions via their music.

Interview for R.U.M. zine: http://en.rumzine.com/below-the-sun/