Liminality: a state of transition that exists between one stage and the next, especially during a rite of passage or between major stages in one’s life. Liminality is neither separation nor incorporation; it is the ambiguous transitional state residing in-between.

In their debut full-length album of the same name, Dog Mask plunges the listener

Liminality: a state of transition that exists between one stage and the next, especially during a rite of passage or between major stages in one’s life. Liminality is neither separation nor incorporation; it is the ambiguous transitional state residing in-between.

In their debut full-length album of the same name, Dog Mask plunges the listener into the abyss of this ambiguity to see what lessons can be learned, while pushing their music beyond the thresholds of their previous work.

The nightmarish sound of this album takes sonic inspiration from multiple musical and artistic influences to create a haunting yet confrontational style. Although it incorporates the aggression of industrial and post-punk as well as the cold chill of goth rock and darkwave, the album’s idiosyncratic approach primarily comes from a willingness to experiment with a diverse palette of influences and genres. Much like the ambiguous nature of liminality, the sound of this album resides in the spaces between genres.

The lyrics of these songs all tie into the album’s central concept in different ways, describing the various major and minor transitional states one might find themselves in. The deeper meaning of these songs is left as an exercise for the listener, to allow them to discover their own subjective, intuitive, and personal truths within.

No matter what the next threshold may be that you need to cross, may this album give you strength, comfort, energy, and guidance.

The door is open for you.

All you have to do is step through it.