Rheia

Rheia is the third studio album by Belgian metal band Oathbreaker. The album was produced by Jack Shirley and released through independent record label Deathwish Inc. on September 30, 2016. Oathbreaker toured internationally in support of Rheia from September until December with Skeletonwitch and Iron Reagan. The title references Rhea, mother goddess in Greek mythology. Background Following 2013's Eros/Anteros, the band's first release to feature clean vocals, Oathbreaker decided to continue the mix of clean and harsh vocals on their next album, making sure to "not sound like a Nightwish cover band." Rheia was recorded in San Francisco with producer Jack Shirley, who was known for his work with bands like Deafheaven and Loma Prieta. The band also wanted the album to sound less dark and aggressive than its predecessor. "Stay Here/Accroche-Moi" was the final song to be recorded. Lead vocalist Caro Tanghe said that her lyrics for Rheia were the most direct that she had written, which was inspired by her boyfriend and bandmate Gilles Demolder encouraging her to open up more. Both Tanghe and Demolder stated that singer-songwriter Mark Kozelek was the main influence on Rheia's lyrics, which tackle subjects ranging from the death of Tanghe's grandmother to her strained personal relationships to her estranged parents. The album's cover art depicts Tanghe and Demolder's hands joined together with burning candle wax as it reacts to cold water.