CELESTIAL DEATH Release New Single “Death of an Empire”

Feb 13, 2026

Atlanta, Georgia blackened death metal band CELESTIAL DEATH have released their new single, “Death of an Empire.” The track marks a defining step forward for the band and solidifies their identity within the modern extreme metal underground. 

“Death of an Empire” delivers a fierce combination of tremolo-picked triplet arpeggios, relentless blast beats, and groove-driven black metal melody. The song opens with waltz-like tremolo phrasing before erupting into rapid-fire percussion and layered death metal riffing. From its first moments through its closing passages, the track moves with cinematic intensity and calculated aggression, showcasing the band’s fully realized sound.

Lyrically, “Death of an Empire” explores the collapse of powerful systems through the perspective of a lone survivor walking through the ruins of a devastated city. The imagery is vivid and confrontational, focusing on urban decay, environmental destruction, and the consequences of unchecked power. Opening lines such as, “The ruins of this city speak to me, in a language only I can understand,” set the tone for a narrative steeped in post-apocalyptic reflection.

The single addresses themes of ecological strain, corporate manipulation, warfare, and societal division. Jessup emphasizes collective responsibility and awareness, urging listeners to consider the long-term consequences of exploitation and polarization. The track functions as both a reflection and a warning.

About CELESTIAL DEATH:

Rising from the Atlanta metal underground, CELESTIAL DEATH was forged in 2023 by guitarist and vocalist Forrest Jessup and drummer Matthew Carmichael. The band began under the name IMPERII with a different lineup but underwent a rebirth when Matt took over on drums. This marked a turning point where Forrest decided to rename, rebrand, and reimagine the project as CELESTIAL DEATH, channeling a darker and more atmospheric vision. Soon after, guitarist Jason Schwartzwalder joined the fold, bringing with him years of experience from acts such as MOTHER’S TOMB, KHAOTIKA, and BRUTALITY. The band rounded off their lineup with the addition of new bassist Robbie Marsh in early 2026. 

CELESTIAL DEATH craft a sound that merges the bleak ferocity of black metal with a melodic and cinematic atmosphere. Drawing influence from bands like WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM, CATTLE DECAPITATIONS, FALLUJAH, and SKELETONWITCH, the group shapes a sonic landscape that is at once suffocatingly heavy and hauntingly vast. The music is raw in execution yet deliberate in its storytelling, each track serving as a descent into themes of cosmic horror, existential collapse, and apocalyptic rebirth.

The band’s debut single “Anti-Preacher,” released December 13, 2024, marked the first official offering under the CELESTIAL DEATH name. It set the tone for the project’s sound, combining blackened chaos with melodic undertones, and hinted at the larger creative arc the band continues to develop. Their most recent single “Aeons,” written during Forrest’s most turbulent years, explore Lovecraftian imagery and catastrophic narratives that have become central to the band’s identity.

CELESTIAL DEATH’s music is built on foundations of atmosphere and intent, stripped to core instrumentation of guitars, drums, bass, and venomous vocals while retaining a cinematic scope. Their songs unfold like parables, grim yet reflective, destructive yet transformative. This ethos reflects Forrest’s own journey, from personal darkness and addiction to sobriety and clarity, with CELESTIAL DEATH becoming both a vessel for catharsis and a statement of purpose.

With a steadily growing presence in Atlanta’s extreme metal scene, CELESTIAL DEATH stand poised to carve their name into the modern blackened metal pantheon. The band represents not just heaviness but vision, not just destruction but creation. For those who seek music that feels apocalyptic in scale and deeply human in spirit, CELESTIAL DEATH is a name to remember.
CELESTIAL DEATH is:
Jay Crash – Guitar, vocals
Jason Schwartzwalder – Lead guitar
Matthew Carmichael – Drums

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