Mares of Thrace Tease ‘The Loss!’ Album with Single “The Second Stage: Denial”

Calgary-based Mares of Thrace have returned with a vengeance, unveiling their highly anticipated new album, The Loss, alongside the first blistering single, “The Second Stage: Denial.” The album marks the band’s debut with Artoffact Records and is now available for pre-order.

“The Second Stage: Denial” kicks off with a disorienting, discordant riff and shriek combo, delivering a phenomenal and deliberate sense of unease that trudges right along. Sludge-heavy grind is infused with a grungy rawness, but beneath the layers of chaos, a calculated precision emerges, delivering a prolonged melee that feels both devastating and cathartic.

Thérèse Lanz’s vocals are a highlight, exuding a wavering psychosis reminiscent of David Yow of The Jesus Lizard but unmistakably her own brand of madness. Her haunting growls and tortured shrieks ride over the track’s thunderous riffs, perfectly matched by Casey Rodgers’ powerful and punishing drumming. Together, they create a sonic experience that is equally primal and sophisticated, drawing comparisons to bands like ISIS and Elder while maintaining a voice that is pure Mares of Thrace.

Thérèse Lanz states:

“This song is named after one of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’ stages of grief: Denial. Musically, it’s a tribute to one of my greatest loves—gross, filthy noise rock. It’s occasionally been referred to by live audiences as, ‘my favourite song was the one where you yelled, and then stopped, and then yelled again.’”

The song is a journey through tension and release, guiding listeners from its crunching, sludge-soaked peaks to a stripped-down, tribalistic conclusion. It’s an anthem of deconstruction, DIY chaos, and artistic fury. As the track winds down, it feels like the aftermath of a sonic battlefield—a chalk outline of sound left on the unfinished basement floor, a raw and evocative moment designed to stir the soul and inspire circle pits alike.

The band’s upcoming album, The Loss, explores themes of grief, transformation, and resilience, an extension of Lanz’s personal journey over the years. The album also builds on the band’s legacy, following critically acclaimed releases like The Pilgrimage (2012), long-listed for the Polaris Music Prize, and 2022’s The Exile. Now partnered with Artoffact Records, the band embarks on a new chapter, delivering music that is as cathartic as it is confrontational.

Mares of Thrace “The Second Stage: Denial” single artwork