TÓMARÚM

Tómarúm biography
Icelandic for "empty space," Tómarúm are an American progressive black metal band from Atlanta, Georgia. The group began in 2017 as the vision of guitarist/vocalist Kyle Walburn, with fellow guitarist Brandon Iacovella (of technical death metal unit Proliferation) joining the following year. Walburn and Iacovella remain the band's stable core amidst a series of lineup changes, and as of 2021 Tómarúm also feature fellow Proliferation guitarist Matthew Longerbeam, Scorched Moon bassist Michael Sanders, and Lamentations drummer Chris Stropoli. Inspired by the expansive songwriting of Wolves in the Throne Room, Opeth, Warforged and Beyond Creation, Tómarúm play a melodic blend of technical death and atmospheric black metal, lyrically pertaining to Walburn's mental health and struggles with depression.

Tómarúm self-released a demo in 2019 and their debut EP, Wounds Ever Expanding, in 2020, both recorded with drummer Scott Belcher and Proliferation's James Peterson on bass and vocals. In 2021, Prosthetic Records signed Tómarúm based on the EP's strength, setting the stage for the band's 2022 full-length, Ash in Realms of Stone Icons, four years in the making. Whittled down to Walburn and Iacovella, the two are accompanied by guest musicians such as fretless bassist Arran McSporran (of Virvum and formerly of De Profundis), drummer Spencer Moore (of Inferi) and keyboardist Aaron Baumoel (of Halcyon Way).

Tómarúm will appeal to fans of Ne Obliviscaris, Singularity, Wolves in the Throne Room, Izthmi and Cormorant.


- Gordy, April 2023