California-based progressive, extreme metal band Ænimus released a new single on Friday before announcing the band’s indefinite hiatus. The new single is called “Phoenix Rise,” which would probably be a more appropriate title for a single if it was released to announce a reunion rather than a hiatus. Instead, this phoenix is combusting in a fury of flames rather than rising from the ashes.
Vocalist Seth Stone released a statement on Facebook that reads as follows:
“To my fans, friends and family… With over a decade of moments shared together and infinite memories that will live with me forever, I have made the difficult decision to put Aenimus on an indefinite hiatus. Thank you all, for the support and love over the years, in making many of my dreams come true.
“Thank you to all the amazing musicians who performed and wrote these magical songs with me. Never, did I fathom I would perform and write music alongside some of the best and most humble musicians that I now consider family. I could not have accomplished any of this without a single one of you.
“Thank you to Nuclear Blast Records, Continental Touring and everyone else within the music industry who guided Aenimus and gave us opportunities of a lifetime.
“With that, I give you all one last song, ‘Phoenix Rise ‘ a farewell to celebrate the time we spent together and a song to inspire hope to whoever needs it.
“Thank you Brian Gosling(guitars/production), Cody Pulliam(drums) and John Flynn(bass) for sharing your amazing talents and writing ‘Phoenix Rise’ with me.”
The hiatus comes as a heartbreaking blow to fans and a welcome relief to journalists like myself who can’t figure out how to write Ænimus without copying and pasting it every time. I’m just kidding, of course, as Ænimus will be sorely missed.