Tar Pond - Petrol
Although "PETROL" is clearly drawing inspiration from US doom classics such as SAINT VITUS as way as going all the way back to the British roots embodied by BLACK SABBATH, there are also moments that connect TAR POND with more contemporary doom acts such as ELECTRIC WIZARD and ACID BATH. At the same time, TAR POND also exemplify the stubborn streak of Swiss metal that displays a fierce individuality and creative independence as outstanding acts such as CELTIC FROST, CORONER, and ZEAL & ARDOR easily attest.

Going back to the crossroads of time, everything seemed to change when Martin Ain, bass player of the iconic CELTIC FROST and one of the founding members of TAR POND passed away in October 2017. Before this tragic day, the Swiss legend had already recorded the debut album with the other founding members, the former CORONER drummer and lyricist Marky Edelmann, the renowned scratchboard artist and vocalist Thomas Ott, and the two guitarists Alain Kupper and Stefano Mauriello.

Entitled "Protocol of Constant Sadness", the debut was originally written and recorded in 2016/17 under the guidance of producer and guitar-legend Tommy Vetterli of CORONER fame. After the shock began to fade and a long time of intense deliberation, the Swiss decided to continue as a band and began to perform live, which at first led to two sold-out release shows at Zurich's legendary porn cinema Kino Roland.

Inspired by the enthusiastic reception for their debut, TAR POND started working on new songs and continued their successful collaboration with Tommy Vetterli at the New Sound Studio. The resulting sophomore album "PETROL" is a collaboration of old and new band members throughout different times. Under these circumstances, it is quite remarkable that the album comes across fully coherent and focused.

When TAR POND were conceived, the band's declared aim was to deliver a soundtrack of brutality and an electric protocol of constant sadness, which the Swiss filed under the description 'Doom'n'Gloom' that has also been described as a combination of doom and post-metal.

With "PETROL", TAR POND fulfil their original promise: this album is a beautiful soundtrack of darkness and sorrow.

Release date: September 15, 2023
Style: Doom Metal
Label: Prophecy Productions

Tracklist
1. BOMB
2. BLIND
3. SLAVE
4. SOMETHING
5. DIRT

Current line-up
Thomas Ott vocals
Marky Edelmann drums
Stefano Mauriello guitars
Daniele Merico guitars
Chris Perez bass

Guest musicians
Michael Flury trombone on 'BOMB', 'BLIMD', and 'SLAVE'
Nathalie Dreier intro voice & lyrics on 'DIRT'
Tommy Vetterli piano effects on 'Something'