LA-based psychedelic doom metal collective ANCESTORS have completed work on their highly anticipated sophomore album. Entitled Of Sound Mind, the record will drop on October 6, 2009 via NYC’s Tee Pee Records.

A taste of what Of Sound Mind holds in store can be sampled now as the new ANCESTORS song “Bounty of Age” premieres today via Stereogum. Check it out now at this location.

Formed in 2006, ANCESTORS create mighty, modern music that dovetails innovative arrangement, crushing primordial riff interplay and melodic instrumental passages with textural “metalgaze” atmospherics. Recorded, mixed and mastered at Infrasonic Sound by Pete Lyman, (The Mars Volta, Beck, No Age), Of Sound Mind is an 8-part, hour-long experience that is at once passionate, bold and challenging. Described as “A journey through the past into the future,” the album showcases ANCESTORS’ ever-evolving musicianship and metrics, which have drawn comparison to Neurosis, Hawkwind, King Crimson, Om and (early) Black Sabbath. Of Sound Mind injects an intoxicating mien into the soul of hard rock and vintage metal and seethes with both analog warmth and astute atmosphere.

Essentially conceptual in nature, Of Sound Mind lyrically and thematically contemplates the quandaries of human psychology and its effect on and within the development of modern society. Without absolution or authority, the band’s cathartic choruses and thought-provoking prose insight a “thought crusade” with meaningful intent. The follow up to the group’s critically acclaimed debut, Neptune with Fire, Of Sound Mind features contributions by notable Los Angeles artists David Scott Stone (Melvins, Unwound, Slug), Sera Timms (Black Math Horsemen) and cellist Ramiro Zapata. With both thunderous roar and expansive communiqué, ANCESTORS are proving to be a quickly-emerging force of musical power and creativity.

On the topic of the new album, ANCESTORS’ guitarist / vocalist Justin Maranga states, “The new record is definitely a leap forward in the evolution of the band. Although “Of Sound Mind” is more loosely conceptual than “Neptune with Fire”, the music is tighter than ever. We’re truly proud of the album and eager to put it in the hands of the fans.” The band’s Chico Foley adds, “With much gratitude for all involved, we are excited to release our sophomore record, “Of Sound Mind.” The record, of which we are immensely proud of, attempts to parallel diversity in songwriting with lyrical premises: popular notions of human psychology — for an all round correlation of ideas.”

The final track listing for Of Sound Mind is as follows:

1.) From Nothing
2.) Mother Animal
3.) Not the Last Return
4.) Bounty of Age
5.) A Friend
6.) The Trial
7.) Challenging
8.) The Ambrose Law

Of Sound Mind’s striking cover art, created by LA-based artist Derek Albeck can be seen at this location. A new still shot of the quintet, brought to life by photographer Jules Bates can be viewed by visiting this location.

ANCESTORS features Justin Maranga – (Guitar, Vocals), Nick Long (Bass Guitar, Vocals), Brandon Pierce (Drums, Gong), Chico Foley (Electronics, Keys, and Vocals) and J. Christopher Watkins (Organ, Vocals).