After playing the Reading and Leeds Festivals this weekend, BARONESS have announced details of their first new album since 2012’s critically acclaimed ‘Yellow & Green’. ‘PURPLE’ will be released on DECEMBER 18TH on the band’s newly formed label Abraxan Hymns, and has been previewed by the new track ‘Chlorine & Wine’ which has received over 100,000 views of its animated illustrated video (seen below) since it was launched on Friday.
“After releasing a lengthy and investigative record like ‘Yellow & Green’ we all felt that we needed to make something much more direct and immediate,” explains band founder and singer John Baizley of the approach behind the album.
‘PURPLE’ was produced by Dave Fridmann (The Flaming Lips, MGMT) at Tarbox Road Studios in the secluded town of Cassadaga, New York.
“We wanted to write with our normal focus on artistry, balanced against an increased level of energy and focus,” continues Baizley. “It was important for us to write our new songs with the type of enthusiasm and expressiveness that could act as a counterpoint to the album’s dark themes. As a result, the music came out in an intense, heavy and sonically captivating in a new way, which was important, loathe, as we are to fall into any kind of complacency pitfall or formulaic songwriting routine. ‘Purple’ is the most fully realised representation of our intention as a band; considering the amount of physical and mental energy spent writing it, we have accomplished something which would have seemed impossible to us a couple of years ago.”
In late July, BARONESS shared news that the release would come via their own label, dubbed Abraxan Hymns. Baizley discusses the band’s move towards independence: “We have been incredibly fortunate to work with a series of amazing labels, producers, management, crew members, etc., all of whom we not only consider a critical part of our development as musicians and performers but also our personal friends. After working for so long as a recording and touring band, it seemed like a no-brainer when the opportunity arose to start our own label.”
Pre-order packages for ‘PURPLE’, which feature an instant download of ‘Chlorine & Wine’, include a limited edition colored vinyl version of the new album, two picture discs, t-shirts and other unique items are available now from PledgeMusic, iTunes, Amazon and Google Play. The first quadrant of the album’s cover artwork has also been unveiled at the band’s official site.
The album tracklisting is:
Morningstar
Shock Me
Try to Disappear
Kerosene
Fugue
Chlorine & Wine
The Iron Bell
Desperation Burns
If I Have to Wake Up (Would You Stop the Rain)
Crossroads of Infinity
‘Yellow & Green’ landed atop many 2012 year-end lists with Entertainment Weekly awarding the release the #1 spot on their best metal albums round-up and saying “‘Take My Bones Away’ hit harder and popped sharper than anything on rock radio in a decade.” The double album was similarly lauded by Decibel (#2), Pitchfork (#3), Revolver (#4), Village Voice (#6), Spin (#6) and the BBC (#13).
BARONESS is John Baizley (guitar, vocals), Pete Adams (guitar, vocals), Nick Jost (bass, keyboards) and Sebastian Thomson (drums).
