The Pilgrimage marks the Sonic Unyon metal debut by Calgary, Alberta noise-doom duo Mares Of Thrace. Formed in 2009 by jazz-trained drummer Stef MacKichan and baritone guitarist Thérèse Lanz in their ongoing quest for musical supremacy, the band traveled from Alberta to Chicago's Engine Studios to record the follow up to their 2010 critically acclaimed debut album The Moulting with producer Sanford Parker (Nachtmystium, Pelican, Yob).

Since forming in 2009, the band has already logged more than 14,000 miles of touring across Canada and the USA and has received many rave reviews from noted publications such as Decibel, Terrorizer, Blabbermouth and PopMatters. The Moulting was the #1 most played metal album at Canadian college radio for the month of August 2010 and it ended 2010 as the eleventh most played for the year. The writers of the Canadian metal zine Hellbound.ca also voted the album the best Canadian metal album of 2010.