PUREST OF PAIN Brings the Pain in this Guitar Playthrough of “Vessels”

Dutch melodic death metal PUREST OF PAIN, led by guitarist and main songwriter Merel Bechtold of DELAIN (whom also performs in much respected bands MaYaN and The Gentle Storm/Anneke van Giersbergen), is a force to be reckoned with, combining Scandanavian metal influences with groove, ambience, tone and melody. The energetic quintet from Holland, now also includes DELAIN drummer Joey de Boer, and their debut album “Solipsis” will be unleashed on March 1st, 2018 to follow their 2013 single “Momentum” and 2011 EP “Revelations In Obscurity”.

Seven years in the making, from the writing process up to the final mastering to launching a successful online crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo (raising over 18,000 Euros, thank you video here), along with increasing their funds through live performances, which saw them open for such bands as Opeth, Textures, Suicide Silence, Unearth and Attack Attack! plus an unforgettable slot at Wacken in 2014. “Solipsis” is 14 tracks of brutality blended with groove and emotion produced by Merel Bechtold with recording done at Mantis Audio Studio (Delain) and mastering by Jens Jorgen (Opeth, Arch Enemy, Soilwork).

Guitarist Merel Bechtold comments:

I always liked metal and music in general, but when I heard ‘the Quiet Place’ by ‘In Flames’ I was hooked. Soon after that I picked up the guitar and started my own band, ‘Purest of Pain’. Ten years later we have finally released our debut album ‘Solipsis’ which came out this month. I think I would class our music as melodic death metal with a modern twist.  

In 2013 I wrote ‘Vessels’, so it’s a pretty old song (like most of the songs to be honest haha). Writing the song and the solo came very natural and I think I wrote it in just one go, which is super quick for me. The coolest trick in the song is the modulation from the first to the second verse. It all happens in the first lead part. Usually a modulation happens at the end of a song, but I think it’s fun and interesting to play a bit with structures and tricks. And even though the whole album is mostly based around guitar and groove, I think Joey, our drummer, really put some interesting fills and parts in there. J.D. Kaye our Vocalist did an excellent job with the lyrics. We just released a brand new video of ‘Vessels’ from the album, so if you are curious to the whole experience I would suggest checking it out! It’s available on Facebook and YouTube via the channels of Purest of Pain.

Band Members:
J.D. Kaye – Vocals
Merel Bechtold – Guitars
Michael van Eck – Guitars
Frank van Leeuwen – Bass
Joey de Boer – Drums

The single is off their debut album “Solipsis” that was unleashed on March 1st, 2018 to follow their 2013 single “Momentum” and 2011 EP “Revelations In Obscurity”.

Pick up PUREST OF PAIN merchandise and physical formats of their music here.

Also, be sure to check out their Bandcamp for digital formats.