A self-coined "ambient psych-doom metal" group featuring two of extreme metal's most esteemed figures,
Tronos is the brainchild of prolific British death metal bassist
Shane Embury (
Napalm Death,
Lock Up,
Brujeria,
Venomous Concept) and hard-hitting Belgian drummer
Dirk Verbeuren (
Megadeth, ex-
Soilwork). Taking their name from the Spanish word for "throne", the project also features
Napalm Death producer
Russ Russell. Looking to do a bit of sonic world-building, the trio enlisted help from a wide array of guest musicians for their uncompromising debut album. Released in 2019 via Century Media, the resulting
Celestial Mechanics included appearances by
Mastodon's Troy Sanders,
Faith No More's Billy Gould,
Voivod's
Denis Belanger,
Nuclear Assault's Dan Lilker, and
the Wonder Stuff's
Erica Nockalls. ~ James Christopher Monger