PLACE OF SKULLS: 'As A Dog Returns' To Receive European Release - Mar. 24, 2011

"As A Dog Returns", the fourth full-length album from Knoxville, Tennessee doom metallers PLACE OF SKULLS, will be released in Europe on April 4 via Volcom Entertainment. The follow-up to 2006's "The Black Is Never Far" was recorded at Lakeside Studios in Knoxville by Travis Wyrick and founding guitarist/vocalist Victor Griffin (PENTAGRAM, DEATH ROW, CATHEDRAL, JOE HASSELVANDER), with drums recorded and engineered by Mike Dearing. Said Griffin of the cooperation with Volcom: "We're extremely happy with this arrangement. I've had my eye on Volcom for some time now. They're a wide-reaching company and have their hand in other markets besides music... a clothing line, skateboard/surfing apparel, and more. It's cool that a company like this loves heavy music and only puts out the stuff they really dig. It's just a whole different angle than the way labels typically work." Griffin previously stated about the band's latest output: "The new album, 'As A Dog Returns', picks up dynamically where 'The Black Is Never Far' left off. Where 'The Black...' album had a bit more of a depressive theme lyrically, the new album tends to look to a brighter outcome. Musically we've gone further than ever before with dynamics and production. Though all the PLACE OF SKULLS' brand of heaviness you would expect is certainly there, there's a nice ebb and flow with quieter parts which tend to set a very dramatic and melancholy mood at times to the overall album. "With every album we've done," he continued, "our growth and progression has been evident, and this new release is no different. I'm really enjoying the growth of my songwriting as time goes by. I don't feel as if I have anything to prove so I think the writing gets more open, honest, and genuine with every release." "As A Dog Returns" track listing 01. Timeless Hearts 02. Breath Of Life 03. Though He Slay Me 04. Psalm 05. Dayspring 06. The Maker 07. He's God 08. Desperation 09. As A Dog Returns Coinciding with the European release of "As A Dog Returns", PLACE OF SKULLS will embark on a European tour with THE GATES OF SLUMBER in late March/early April. Formed in early 2000 by guitarist/singer/songwriter Victor Griffin, bassist Lee Abney and drummer Tim Tomaselli, PLACE OF SKULLS — a biblical reference to Golgotha — carries the torch of prior Griffin and Abney bands such as DEATH ROW and PENTAGRAM in the ever-burgeoning underground scene of doom metal. But as their sound continues to expand beyond those boundaries, they incorporate intricate dynamics in their songs that few bands of the same genre explore and lyrically reflect upon their spiritual beliefs, faith, God, politics, and the search for peace. Having stepped outside the proverbial box of "doom metal," PLACE OF SKULLS opens the door of accessibility to a whole other cross section of heavy rock enthusiast. But by no means should this be taken lightly. Their sound is as crushing and molten live as ever and no less threatening than any of their musical counterparts in volume.