ALCYONE

Alcyone biography
Alcyone were a North American progressive black metal band from Providence, Rhode Island. In existence from 2013 to 2023, Alcyone began as the duo project of guitarist/vocalist Sean Hart (of Maidenhead and formerly Autolatry) and drummer Greg Murphy (of Excrecor and formerly Obsidian Tongue), playing a death/black metal hybrid inspired by Akercocke, Klabautamann, Gorguts, Asmodée, Martyr and Deathspell Omega. Hart and Murphy independently released their first self-titled LP in 2015, with a compact disc version issued two years later via Anthrazit Records.

The band began work on their sophomore album in 2018, which experienced delays due to the COVID-19 crisis and a lineup change, in which Hart and Murphy were joined by guitarist Ray Brouwer (of Ancient Death and formerly of Zealotry), bassist Thomas Campbell (of Lunar Chamber) and vocalist Karl Chamberlain (formerly of Autolatry). The revitalised group, increasingly inspired by technical death metal, issued a re-recording of the song "Hiraeth" from their debut in 2020. Alcyone disbanded suddenly in April 2023, releasing their second and final LP, Cult of Kukulkan, for free on all major streaming services. A "concept album about loss, spiritual pilgrimage, deceit, and revenge", Cult of Kukulkan featured guest performances from guitarists Jerry Witunsky (of Atheist and formerly Garroted) and Daniel Mongrain (of Martyr and Voivod).


- Gordy, November 2023