Subconscious horror and self-destruction shape STRICKEN’s second album, From Dark Dimensions An Unspeakable Presence Awakens, due November 6, 2026, through Horror Pain Gore Death Productions. The Seattle, Washington-area blackened sludge trio will release the five-track record on CD and digital platforms.
The announcement describes material that moves between faster passages, oppressive weight and deep grooves, incorporating experimental arrangements. Its thematic scope takes in the dark subconscious, existential dread, nihilism and unspeakable horror. Those descriptions frame the new record’s direction without reducing its approach to a single strand of sludge metal.
STRICKEN handled the recording themselves, with guitarist Nick Charlton engineering and drummer Chris Wozniak mixing. James Plotkin mastered the album at Plotkinworks. Visual artist Tom Denney, whose credits include Black Cobra, Soilent Green and Weedeater, created the artwork.
The running order is “Dust From The Grave,” “Darkness Impenetrable,” “Moonless,” “Touch Of Corruption” and “From Nothing To Nothing.” The five new songs follow the band’s seven-song 2022 album, From A Well Of Emptiness, A Stygian Serpent Born, which was recorded by local engineer Tom Thew and released through Horror Pain Gore Death.
The group began as a collaboration between bassist/vocalist Rob Ropkins and Charlton. Ropkins’ previous bands include Deadly Light, Pipefitter, North American Bison and Pinned Red. Wozniak, whose background includes Lair Of The Minotaur, Earthen Grave and I Klatus, joined in 2017 after moving to Seattle and answering a Craigslist advertisement that named Celtic Frost, Coffins and Autopsy among its influences.
Within a year of Wozniak’s arrival, STRICKEN had recorded a demo in his garage and started playing regional shows. That early recording led toward the 2022 album; the forthcoming release continues with the same three musicians also taking responsibility for its recording, engineering and mix.
The press announcement places the new material in a listening context that includes Neurosis, Inter Arma, Yob, Conan, Celtic Frost, Triptykon, Craft and High On Fire. These are the announcement’s reference points rather than guest appearances or collaboration credits.
Physical copies and merchandise are available to preorder through Horror Pain Gore Death Productions, with digital preorders and presaves also announced. STRICKEN are already working on further new music.