It has been a very long build up to this particular record. Starting with mystic and cryptic messages from the band itself through Instagram / Facebook / Tumblr and their newsletters. The road to this very piece of music has been long and, which makes it especially outstanding, incredibly intimate. Starting by sending out unique cassettes to the first 33 who signed up for their newsletter, developing into VHS' they randomly added to three orders of merch including even more riddles for the fans to solve, highlighting the importance of their followers by giving them special treatments through early access to their limited merch before the public eye even got as much as a glimpse of it, as well as sending them pieces of their music video 'Distanced' as another 'thank you' for being as loyal as they are and to show and treat them with as much respect as they in reverse treat the band. The bond these guys have created with their followers can only be described as exclusive, intimate and honest. Even more outstanding through the fact that The Black Queen have been involved in every little detail of this release, making it all a huge DIY project for everybody engaged.
In conclusion, the wait for the record to finally be released has challenged their fans' patience a lot. But they stayed sane and supportive and now that the record is finally out, the reactions have been nothing but positive so far.
I, myself, have been a fan of this band from the very beginning, honored to have received one of those cassettes at the start of it all. So to be able to give this piece of art a listen, is rather exciting. Here's what I think of it:
The intro is exactly what is to be expected of these guys, leading to the first proper track, and my personal favorite of the previously released ones, 'Ice To Never' which throws you back to 80s synth-pop. People who know the vocalist, Greg Puciato, from his main project The Dillinger Escape Plan, will be more than surprised as he starts singing. While he has proven often enough that he isn't just the maniacal frontman of Dillinger, but has an immense vocal range and musical talent in other genres. Clear are also the influences of fellow band member Joshua Eustis, who has been involved in bands such as Puscifer or his main project Telefon Tel-Aviv. Smoothly, it transfers into 'The End Is Where We Start' before diving into the smooth 'Secret Screams', which is drained with an erotic and sexual vibe in a way that only Nine Inch Nails' 'Closer' has done before. Another previously released track follows called 'Maybe We Should' tapping into a more dance and groove orientated corner. 'Distanced' on the other hand tones it all down again, dragging the listener to a nostalgic, but calm place. The same vibe continuous with 'Strange Quark' maintaining the previously set mood. 'That Death Cannot Touch' grabs you with its first notes and pulls you up to get back on the levels of 'Ice To Never', transferring into an almost outer-space mood as 'Taman Shud' kicks in. Ending the whole thing with the perfectly chosen track 'Apocalypse Morning', soothingly closing up the record in as much of a smooth way as it needs.
This record definitely received its proper way of marketing and promotional run till its release that it needed and deserved. The intimacy of it all is clear to everybody who listens a little more closely to it and especially the lyrics.
Another interesting aspect will be how they will present this all in a live show. Luckily, the wait for this won't be long since they're scheduled to play in front of a sold-out Complex (Glendale, LA) in just a couple of hours. Bringing it also to European grounds with a show at the Oslo Hackney in London on February 5th. These performances will certainly also be one of a kind and a must-see.
Without a doubt, even considering as early in the year as it is, this will most definitely claim its place in my personal Top 5 records of 2016.
Favorite tracks: Ice To Never, Secret Screams, The End Where We Start
Overall: 10/10
Cheerio xx
Keine Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen