Norwegian funeral doom metal band Funeral has released The funereal EP today, June 2, 2025, via Season of Mist, marking their return after a nine-year gap since their last performance in 2018. The EP, a precursor to their upcoming full-length album Praesentialis in Aeternum, features four tracks: “Gamalt ljós – Pt. 1” (6:40), “Gamalt ljós – Pt. 2” (5:16), “Gamalt ljós – Pt. 3” (6:08), and “Når Kisten Senkes (Acoustic)” (8:16), with a total runtime of 26:20. Stream it at funeral.fanlink.tv/TheFunerealEP.
Founded in 1991 by Anders Eek in Drammen, Funeral pioneered the funeral doom subgenre, drawing from influences like Cathedral and Candlemass. The EP was recorded at Strand Studio in Stabbek, Norway, and produced, mixed, and mastered by Marius Strand. The recording lineup includes Jon Aldara (vocals), Anders Eek, Morten Søbyskogen, Ingvild Anett Strønen Johannessen (Sareeta), and Anders Langberg, with guest appearances by Jon Aldara (vocals) and Stian Kråbøl (classical guitars). The cover art is by Tristan D.
The EP reflects Funeral’s signature melancholy, with lyrics in Norwegian by a psychologist friend of Eek, inspired by philosopher Emmanuel Kant. Eek describes it as a bridge to Praesentialis in Aeternum, blending their symphonic and depressive elements. The band, now a septet with a full-time violinist, plans to resume live performances, with their next album already in the works.