NEWS RELEASE
Montreal, QC – October 28, 2026
From OMINOUS ECLIPSE To ALTERSOUL: New EP “Origins” Pays Tribute To Fallen Bandmate
Unveils Reforged Single “Abandoned”
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L-R: Theo Konrad (drums), James Close (guitar & vocals), Graham Murphy (guitar & vocals), Evan Ferguson (bass)
Brockville, ON progressive death metal outfit ALTERSOUL proudly announces the release of its debut EP, “Origins,” a deeply personal collection that bridges the past and future of the band while honoring the legacy of a fallen friend. Alongside the announcement, the band is unveiling the music video for the EP’s lead single, “Abandoned”, a reimagined version of the oldest composition in their catalog.
Born from the ashes of longtime Ontario metal act Ominous Eclipse, Altersoul represents both a continuation and a rebirth. Following over a decade of writing, recording, and performing together, founding members James Close (Guitar/Vocals) and Graham Murphy (Guitar/Vocals) made the difficult decision to retire the Ominous Eclipse name and begin a new chapter. The transition took on an even deeper meaning after the tragic passing of bassist and founding member Ryan Clements in August 2024.
The result is “Origins,” an EP that serves as both a tribute and a mission statement.
“When Ryan passed away, these songs became even more sentimental. After years of history, they closed out the band’s final set as Ominous Eclipse. As we transition into Altersoul, we wanted to revisit these tracks and finally give them the studio treatment they deserved. This EP is our reminder of where we came from,” explains James Close.
Featuring newly recorded versions of three foundational compositions originally featured on Ominous Eclipse’s debut album, “Origins” revisits the first songs written by Graham Murphy, James Close, and Ryan Clements. While the original recordings captured the band’s youthful ambition, the new versions realize the full creative vision that was impossible to achieve over a decade ago.
Recorded, produced, mixed, and mastered entirely by the band, “Origins” showcases Altersoul‘s commitment to complete creative independence. Real orchestral instrumentation, enhanced arrangements, and dynamic production transform these early compositions into expansive modern progressive death metal works.
Leading the release is “Abandoned,” a track that traces its roots back to an acoustic guitar composition Murphy wrote around 2009-2010.
“‘Abandoned’ is a symbolic debut for us because it’s both the oldest song in our catalog and a re-recording from our past,” says Murphy. “I wrote the original guitar part after becoming heavily inspired by Immortal’s “All Shall Fall”. When we revisited the song for Altersoul, we kept the heart of the composition intact while expanding it with orchestral arrangements and modern production.”
The song’s lyrics tell the story of a man abandoned in a frozen wasteland, facing his final moments as he succumbs to the cold. Musically, the track mirrors that journey, balancing harsh aggression with cinematic orchestral passages.
“The orchestral elements alternate between peaceful symphonic moments and traditional metal sections to symbolize the body’s fight against the cold. The finale represents the character’s final breath and eventual acceptance of his fate,” adds Close.
The EP also features newly realized versions of “End of Days” and “Beyond the Apocalypse,” songs that hold special significance within the band’s history. Together, the trio of tracks serves as a reflection of the friendships, memories, and musical foundations that shaped both Ominous Eclipse and Altersoul.
A special guest appearance from Andrew Poskus, Ominous Eclipse’s original drummer, adds another layer of nostalgia and closure to the project. Ironically, despite being the band’s original drummer, Origins marks the first official release to feature his recorded performances.
Musically, Altersoul continues to blur genre lines by fusing death metal, technical death metal, thrash, black metal, progressive metal, folk influences, orchestral arrangements, and atmospheric passages into a sound that is entirely their own.
More importantly, “Origins” marks the beginning of an ambitious new era.
“We’ve got multiple albums’ worth of material that has never been heard. As much as we’ve written hours of new music, we felt it was important to start by revisiting the songs that made us. These are the building blocks everything else grew from,” says Close.
For Altersoul, “Origins” is more than a debut release. It is a tribute to a friend, a celebration of a shared history, and the first step toward a promising future.
Recommended for fans of Death, Revocation, Gojira, Children of Bodom, and Opeth, “Origins” is due out on November 27th, 2026.
EP pre-save – https://altersoul1.bandcamp.com/
Listen to “Abandoned” at the following links:
Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBWhsc7uRWA
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/track/0EaBnR0ukoISeGnnf2ymJT
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Track Listing:
1. Abandoned – (5:20)
2. End of Days – (4:09)
3. Beyond the Apocalypse – (5:14)
EP Length: 14:43
EP Band Lineup:
Graham Murphy – Guitar/Vocals
James Close – Guitar/Vocals/Additional Instruments
Evan Ferguson – Bass
Andrew Poskus – Drums
Additional Guest Recording:
Wenhao Zhou – Piano
Heather Istead – Oboe
Live Band Lineup:
Graham Murphy – Guitar/Vocals
James Close – Guitar/Vocals
Evan Ferguson – Bass
Theo Konrad – Drums
More info:
https://www.altersoulband.com/
https://www.facebook.com/altersoulband
https://www.instagram.com/altersoul.band
About: Altersoul is a four‑piece metal band from Brockville, Ontario, formed by James Close (Guitar/Vocals) and Graham Murphy (Guitar/Vocals) after more than a decade performing as Ominous Eclipse. Joined by Evan Ferguson (Bass) and Theo Konrad (Drums), the band blends death metal, progressive elements, orchestral arrangements, and diverse influences into a sound that is both volatile and deeply atmospheric. Altersoul is a spiritual continuation of Ominous Eclipse, reborn with a new name, a new vision, and a renewed dedication to creating meaningful, meticulously crafted music.
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