Blackment have released Pulsar, the final single from their forthcoming second studio album Pandemonium Portrait, due out on September 18.

The song grew from what vocalist Sami Vuorenheimo describes as a minor existential crisis. Given a piece of music by Allan to write lyrics for, Vuorenheimo listened to it repeatedly with his eyes closed, concentrating on the images and ideas it created while considering the song’s underlying theme.

What emerged was a story inspired by Sigmund Freud, centred on a protagonist travelling towards a lighthouse and the light of a pulsar. The idea of death itself becoming a destination eventually developed into a wider story about life, death and what might come afterwards.

The song also produced an unexpected reaction for its vocalist. Vuorenheimo recalls his early rehearsals for the track, imagining how elements associated with Muse, Rage Against The Machine and Diablo might work alongside his own approach. Performing the vocal parts gave him an energy boost that continues to surprise him, creating moments where he finds himself stopping to focus on the present.

01. Prelude for the…

02. Broken

03. Ghost in the Machine

04. In Motion

05. Ground Zero

06. Afterlife

07. Dark Matter

08. Pulsar

09. Pariah

10. Freedom Fall

11. Nocturnal Queen

12. World of Gods (feat. Hille Sadehelmi)

13. In The Dark (Bonus track)

Photo: Allan Välimaa & Hille Sadehelmi