Baroness return with their first new music in three years, as the band releases their fourth album, Purple, on Dec. 18 via their recently formed label, Abraxan Hymns.
The first song from the ten-track album, “Chlorine & Wine,” is available now, with an animated clip featuring “Chlorine & Wine” artwork viewable here or click the screenshot below.
“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 Purple. The album 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. 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 realized 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” as well as a limited edition colored vinyl version of the new album, two picture discs, t-shirts and other unique items are available now via this link. iTunes, Amazon and Google Play are also offering pre-orders as of today.
Purple track list:
1. Morningstar
2. Shock Me
3. Try to Disappear
4. Kerosene
5. Fugue
6. Chlorine & Wine
7. The Iron Bell
8. Desperation Burns
9. If I Have to Wake Up (Would You Stop the Rain)
10. Crossroads of Infinity
The band performs tomorrow at the Reading Festival and at the Leeds Festival on Sunday. North American tour dates will be announced soon.
Yellow & Green landed atop most 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), the BBC (#13), Close Up (#4), Loudwire (#4), Metal Hammer Norway (#4), Metal Hammer UK (#14), Terrorizer (#2), Visions (#4), Aardschok (#3) and Metal Hammer Germany (#2).
Baroness is John Baizley (guitar, vocals), Pete Adams (guitar, vocals), Nick Jost (bass, keyboards) and Sebastian Thomson (drums).
