Pennsylvania’s black metal band Profane Elegy has announced their second full-length album, Herezjarcha, set for an independent release on January 30, 2026. The band, formed in late 2021 in Bangor, Pennsylvania, by guitarist J Gulick and vocalist Mikael L, unveiled the album’s lead single, “Exeunt Omnes”, accompanied by a music video. The track, streaming on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, marks a darker, more dynamic evolution of their sound following their 2023 debut When All Is Nothing.
Profane Elegy—comprised of Mikael L (vocals, orchestration), J Gulick (guitars, orchestration), David G (bass, orchestration), and Sean M (drums)—blends black metal with elements of death, doom, and progressive metal, enhanced by orchestral arrangements and clean vocals. “Exeunt Omnes,” meaning “all go out” in Latin, draws inspiration from Shakespeare’s Richard III, exploring themes of fate, death, and the human struggle to cling to a fading existence. The 4:57 track features soaring tremolo guitars, thunderous drums, and cinematic orchestration, setting a bleak, dramatic tone for the album. Gulick, who also produced the record, noted, “‘Exeunt Omnes’ was the first track we finished for the new record… It really gave us the foundation for what this album became—bleak, dramatic, and unrelenting.”
Herezjarcha, meaning “arch-heretic,” features eight tracks:
- “Exeunt Omnes” – 4:57
- “Haunted” – 3:31
- “The Accuser” – 5:23
- “As My Heart Turns to Ash” – 5:24
- “I AM” – 3:49
- “Immutable” – 4:13
- “And Then We Are Gone” – 4:02
- “Herezjarcha” – 5:57
The album delves into nihilism, heresy, mortality, and defiance, pushing beyond traditional black metal boundaries with progressive structures and orchestral weight. Each song will have its own music video released in the lead-up to the album drop. Mixed and mastered by Kevin Antreassian at Backroom Studios, known for work with The Dillinger Escape Plan, Herezjarcha promises to be the band’s most ambitious work yet.
Initially a two-man studio project, Profane Elegy expanded into a full lineup in 2023 with David G and Sean M joining. Their debut When All Is Nothing earned praise for its atmospheric aggression and emotional depth, with Doom Heart calling it “a massive Doom delight.” The band made their live debut in 2024, including a support slot for Dark Funeral, and has since performed across the northeastern US.
No tour dates have been announced to support Herezjarcha, but the band’s growing presence in the underground metal scene suggests more live shows may follow. Fans can connect with Profane Elegy on Bandcamp, Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms for updates.