New Zealand’s sludge metal quintet Borer premiere a music video for »Bag Seeker«; debut album »Bag Seeker« to drop May 10th via Landmine Records!

Christchurch, New Zealand based stoner/doom/sludge outfit Borer premiere new single and music video »Bag Seeker«. »Bag Seeker« is the first single and title track of their debut album, set to release on May 10th, 2024 via Landmine Records.

Says the band: “Our video for »Bag Seeker« has just dropped! First single, first video, for our first album. It’s a good day! Get stuck in. Cheers to to Landmine Records and Earsplit PR, head over to The Obelisk to read the review and watch the video!”

Tracklist:
01. Bag Seeker
02. Ket Witch
03. 6.32
04. Wretch
05. Lord Of The Hanged

Courtesy of Earsplit PR:

“…waves its disaffection like a banner; a resolved call to everybody who, perhaps only for today, has landed at ‘fuck it’ as the endgame of their existence…” – The Obelisk

The Obelisk is hosting an exclusive video premiere for »Bag Seeker«, the sole single from the album of the same name and the debut full-length from New Zealand-based caustic sludge metal quintet, Borer. The song/video precedes the record’s May 10th release on Landmine Records, the label formed and operated by members of Blindfolded And Led To The Woods.

Borer was expelled into the void in 2021 during the Covid-19 lockdowns in Christchurch by vocalist Tom Brand and guitarist Boden Powell, shortly thereafter fleshed-out by guitarist Tim Hunt, bassist Greg Newton-Topp, and drummer Josh Reid. Worshipping the tones of Electric Wizard, Iron Monkey, and the like, they released their two track EP, Priest Thrower, in October 2021 which created a buzz in the sludge/doom scene and led to support slots with Beastwars, Stalker, and more, as well as playing some of the most renowned rock and metal festivals in Aotearoa.

Photos by Dan Cooper

2023 saw the Borer crew work away on their debut full-length, the now completed »Bag Seeker«. The resin-coated grooves of the hulking album deliver five tracks, most of which pass the ten-minute-mark, dragging the listener on a harrowing, bongwater and lukewarm beer bender which culminates in the twenty-one-minute epic »Lord Of The Hanged«.

»Bag Seeker« was recorded and mixed in Christchurch by Joseph Veale (Blindfolded And Led To The Woods), mastered by Luke Finlay at Primal Mastering, and completed with artwork and layout by Jake Clark (Mr Wolf), and is a detrimental listen for fans of Iron Monkey, Bongzilla, Weedeater, Fistula, Indian, Dystopia, and Electric Wizard.

Clocking just under a ten-minute runtime, the resin-coated title track to »Bag Seeker« is delivered through a video directed by Tim Hunt and edited by Nick Smith, that rolls in like the tidal waters depicted within. The band reveals, “»Bag Seeker« captures a year-long descent into the shadows, where a man pursues fleeting happiness through the enigmatic allure of a bag, a quest for joy in the embrace of ephemeral highs.”

The Obelisk writes with the premiere, “…they bring the sludge of one thousand deaths, and no, that doesn’t mean they’re giving you a bunch tiny cuts until eventually you bleed out. It means they sound like they’ve died inside a thousand times and perhaps, somewhere around 920 or so with that last 80 still ahead of them, they got bitter about it. The resulting five-tracker waves its disaffection like a banner; a resolved call to everybody who, perhaps only for today, has landed at ‘fuck it’ as the endgame of their existence… Release of pressure bought with pain. Expurgation. Put on the record again and churn into foul-smelling-goo oblivion what used to be vaguely human. Fucking a.”

Meet at The Obelisk to experience Borer’s »Bag Seeker« RIGHT HERE. »Bag Seeker« will be released on CD and all digital platforms on Landmine Records May 10th. Find preorders HERE.

Borer has also booked two release shows for the album, taking place in Dunedin on »Bag Seeker«’s release date and in their hometown of Christchurch the following day. Watch for additional shows to be announced over the months ahead.

Borer »Bag Seeker« album release shows:
5/10/2024 The Crown Hotel – Dunedin, NZ w/ Brackish, Festering Death
5/11/2024 Churchill’s Tavern – Christchurch, NZ w/ Witchcult, From Moose Mountain

Borer is:
Tom Brand – Vocals
Boden Powell – Guitar
Tim Hunt – Guitar
Greg Newton-Topp – Bass
Josh Reid – Drums

Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well