Epitaph (God Is an Astronaut album)

Epitaph is the eighth studio album by Irish post-rock band God Is An Astronaut. It was released through Napalm Records on April 27, 2018. It is the final album to feature keyboardist Jamie Dean, who left the band in 2017 to pursue his own music and projects.

Themes
Epitaph's theme is death, inspired by the passing of the 7-year-old cousin of Torsten and Niels Kinsella. Oisín, the record's final track, was written on the day they received the news of the child's death.

Reception
Upon release the album received generally positive reviews among critics. Jadranka Balaš of Hardwired Magazine wrote that Epitaph, "is a heavy, dark record, filled with sorrow and melancholy, at least in major parts. One of those who leaves you drained, but somehow with ease because you’ve released all those feelings out of you." Max Morin of Exclaim! stated in his review that the band have, "... yet to top All Is Violent, All Is Bright, but Epitaph is the closest they've come yet."

Personnel

 * God Is An Astronaut
 * Torsten Kinsella - guitars, keyboards, vocals, programming
 * Niels Kinsella - bass
 * Lloyd Hanney - drums


 * Production


 * God Is An Astronaut - Production and mixing
 * Xenon Field - Post Production and programming
 * Tim Young - Mastering
 * Fursy Teyssier - Artwork


 * Additional musicians
 * Jimmy Scanlon - Additional Guitar on all songs except "Oisín"
 * Jamie Dean - Additional Piano/Keys on "Epitaph," "Mortal Coil," and "Winter Dusk/Awakening"
 * Brian Harris - Additional Guitar on "Mortal Coil"