Chicago atmospheric dark metal ensemble VARAHA’s debut Full Length, “A Passage for Lost Years” was produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by Adam K. Stilson (Car Seat Headrest, Airiel) at Chicago’s Decade Music Studios. VARAHA play a dynamic brand of dark and somber doom/dark rock inspired metal. The band’s palette is wide and varies from monolithic, heavily distorted guitars to elegiac and nostalgic arrangements. Their music is a cinematic dance between heavy riffing counterpointed by omnipresent melodies, as well as droned parts of despair, and evocative clean guitar arrangements.

The 9 Tracks within “A Passage For Lost Years” include 4 Orchestral Overtures composed and conducted by Fabio Brienza, and recorded by Nick Broste (Mono, Wilco), and featuring guest appearances by Nicholas Dellacroce (Bongripper), Bruce Lamont (Yakuza, Brain Tentacles), Nora Barton (Mucca Pazza, Mono), Kristina Lee & members of The Oak Park & River Forest Symphony Orchestra.

Additional recordings were captured by Mike Lust (Russian Circles, Urge Overkill), including a special guest performance by Chuck Bontrager (Concertmaster for the Chicago production of “Hamilton: an American Musical").

The artwork for the album cover was designed by legendary artist Travis Smith (Opeth, Katatonia, Anathema).
“VARAHA have something new to say in the world of gothic doom.” Indy Metal Vault lauds a record that’s, “epic,” and, “flat out fucking gorgeous”