Asylum Road return with Mask of Oblivion, a crushing and emotionally loaded groove-metal assault that dives straight into the reality of internal warfare. Hailing from Northern Ireland, the band fuses groove metal weight, metalcore urgency, and melodic depth into a track that feels both cinematic and confrontational. Fans of Killswitch Engage, Threat Signal, Sylosis, Parkway Drive, and Machine Head will feel immediately at home.
From its tense, brooding intro to its explosive final moments, Mask of Oblivion unfolds like a battle fought behind closed doors. The verses hit with tight, punishing rhythm work, groove metal aggression mirroring the act of holding yourself together while everything cracks beneath the surface. The chorus flips the emotional switch, lifting into soaring melodic lines that feel like a suppressed cry for help beneath the mask society expects you to wear.
The final section pushes the track into full emotional overdrive: a blistering guitar solo that bleeds into a stark piano outro, leaving the listener alone in the quiet fallout of the struggle. It’s a moment that captures exactly what Asylum Road do best, blending extreme heaviness with raw vulnerability in a way that feels human, relatable, and devastatingly honest.
Darryn Mc Cartney’s lyrics cut straight to the core, portraying the exhausting performance of hiding severe mental health challenges behind a façade. His delivery is both visceral and controlled, guiding the listener through suffocating darkness toward the song’s final reveal, the mask shattering, the truth exposed.
Mask of Oblivion marks another bold step toward their upcoming EP Cerca Trova, following a wave of critical praise since their debut EP The Fear. With massive riffs, emotional finesse, and an unfiltered lyrical message, Asylum Road continue proving why they’re one of the most compelling rising forces in modern metal.
About Asylum Road
From the heart of Derry, where grit and intensity collide, Asylum Road is set to drop their powerful new EP, Cerca Trova, in June 2025. Building on the momentum of their hard-hitting 2024 debut, The Fear, and bolstered by a key lineup shift, the band returns with sharpened focus and undeniable fire. Known for their crushing riffs, intricate grooves, and raw, impassioned vocals, Asylum Road has quickly become a standout in the groove metal scene.
Their sound captures the fierce spirit of their hometown while pushing the boundaries of modern metal. The Fear put them on the map, Cerca Trova is set to cement their place. The arrival of guitarist Paul Sandy in 2025 has injected a fresh surge of creativity and complexity into the band’s sonic arsenal. With this solidified lineup, Asylum Road is louder, tighter, and more relentless than ever.
SOURCE: Official Bio
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