BITTERDUSK Guardián del Valle CD

The 2024 album Guardián del Valle by the Chilean band Bitterdusk, released through the Mexican label Concreto Records, stands as a monumental achievement in their nearly 30 year career as pioneers of South American Doom Metal. This fourth full-length work signals a shift from their earlier ethereal atmospheres toward a more robust and rhythmic Heavy Doom Rock sound, deeply rooted in the spiritual and geographical heritage of Chile. Conceptually, the album serves as an ode to the Santiago Valley (formerly the Mapocho Valley), exploring the profound connection between humanity and the ancestral forces of nature through themes of ritual, land, and spiritual awakening. The record was produced by Sebastián Puente (guitarist for the thrash metal band Nuclear), who also joined the band as a permanent member, lending a sharp technical edge to the deep, resonant bass and vocals of founder Leonardo Alvarado. The album features notable international collaborations, including guest vocals by Marc Grewe (ex-Morgoth) and choral arrangements by Johanna Sánchez, which add layers of texture to the band's signature gloom. Issued as a professional CD digipak by Concreto Records, the album consists of eight tracks, beginning with the powerful title track Guardián del Valle and moving through compositions such as Ascensión del Sol Interno, Ojos de la Montaña, and the crushing closer Leonor. By blending traditional doom weight with the driving energy of classic heavy metal and subtle progressive elements, Bitterdusk has created a sonic journey that is both a tribute to their homeland and a definitive statement of their creative maturity.