Autumn Tomb bring together members of Zombi and The Sword on Crumbling Thrones, a first descent into the slow, detuned heaviness of their forthcoming self-titled debut album. Doom and sludge provide the track’s physical foundation, while dark synthesizer ambience expands the surrounding space and pulls the music toward something more ominous and cinematic.
The trio consists of Zombi’s Steve Moore alongside The Sword rhythm section of bassist Bryan Richie and drummer Santiago “Jimmy” Vela. Moore assumes guitar, vocals, synthesizers and lyrical duties, using the project to enter darker and heavier territory while redirecting negative energy into something expansive and constructive. Richie and Vela provide the ideal counterweight, giving that vision both force and mobility.
The collaboration grew from a friendship between Zombi and The Sword, strengthened during a 2022 West Coast tour. Moore frequently joined The Sword onstage for an encore performance of Ozzy Osbourne’s Mr. Crowley, later recorded for the band’s Conquest of Quarantine EP. Moore and Richie had also worked together on 2022’s Zombi & Friends, Vol. 1, establishing the connection that would eventually lead to Autumn Tomb.
The album was recorded across Moore’s Nightmare City in Albany, Paper Weapons Studio in Taylor, Texas, and Hummingbird Studio in Oakland. Autumn Tomb arrives November 6th, 2026.
Steve Moore says: "I've been a fan of metal since the late 80's and have wanted to put together a group like this for a while. What really lit the fire for me though was in 2022 when Zombi toured supporting The Sword, and then a few months later supporting Om. Kinda rekindled my love of heavy music."
Santiago Vela adds: "When the opportunity arose to work on a new heavy music project with Steve Moore, it was a no-brainer for me. I've been a long time admirer of Zombi as well as Steve's solo work for many years before I knew him. I have known Bryan since I was a teen, going back to the early 00's coming up in the Austin music scene and have been lucky enough to rock along side of him since 2011 with The Sword."
Bryan Richie: "I was captivated from the first note of the demos Steve sent us! I am honored to put my sonic fingerprints on these amazing tracks and it was a privilege to be able to work with my long time friend and musical collaborator Santiago Vela."
ZR