US sludge metal veterans Black Tusk premiere seventh full-length album album »The Way Forward«; out today via Season Of Mist!
Savannah, Georgia based sludge/stoner punks Black Tusk premiere their seventh full-length album, »The Way Forward«, which was just released on April 26th, 2024 via Season Of Mist.
Tracklist:
01. Out Of Grasp
02. Brushfire
03. Harness (The Alchemist)
04. Lessons Through Deception
05. Breath Of Life
06. Dance On Your Grave
07. Against The Undertow
08. Lift Yourself
09. Ocean Of Obsidian
10. Flee From Dawn
11. The Way Forward
Courtesy of Season Of Mist:
Black Tusk came roaring out of the Savannah swamplands nearly twenty years ago, but the sludge metal veterans aren’t looking back anytime soon. On their seventh album, »The Way Forward«, the band blaze full steam into the future behind the force of their new yet familiar lineup.
“This record represents our steadfast resolve to keep making music together as a band and evolve our sound,” says Andrew Fidler, Black Tusk’s longtime guitarist and co-vocalist.
»The Way Forward« comes out this Friday, April 26 on Season Of Mist. You can hear all 11 hard-hitting tracks HERE!
Order »The Way Forward« HERE!
»The Way Forward« pulls no punches. Right from the rip, album opener “Out of Grasp” charges head-on to the relentless chop of James May’s snare drum. Lead single Brush Fire quickly grabs the baton and lights it up like a Molotov cocktail. New bassist Derek Lynch makes one hell of a first impression. “I watch you burn!” he spits, already spewing with righteous fury.
“Derek said he’d never done heavy vocals before, so I was like, ‘Well, here’s the mic. Here’s some words. Yell at it and see if you like it.’,” says Fidler. “I was blown away the first time he did it. It sounded good as fuck.”
Black Tusk recorded »The Way Forward« at Hidden Audio, a studio run by frequent collaborator and now official member Chris “Scary” Adams. Not only did Scary handle the production, but he locks horns with Fidler, making this the band’s first album to feature a two guitar attack. On Dance on Your Grave, Fidler lays down a boot-stomping riff so Scary can rip into a solo that never stops climbing.
Of course, no band makes it 19 years without having to shovel their share of shit. “The big theme of this record is putting your life back together,” Fidler says. Black Tusk have switched labels and lost members, all while navigating the bumps in the road that come with being tour musicians. But »The Way Forward« leaves those past misgivings in the rear view. “Sometimes the worst things you’ve ever seen or done end up being the best thing that’s ever happened to you,” May says.
Breath of Life opens with murky synths that swirl like a depressive fog, but that’s just the quiet before the storm. Over fuming distortion, together, Black Tusk reach for something that sounds close to a silver lining. “Mercy in suffering, all I see“, they scream in unison.
“The title is kind of a double play,” Fidler says. “It’s the first record with the new lineup, and this is the direction we’re taking the band in. We’ve been doing Black Tusk for 19 years now, and we still love it. That’s why we called it »The Way Forward«.”
Celebrate »The Way Forward« with Black Tusk’s new four-piece lineup this Friday, April 26, at their free record release show! Joining the party at Congress Street Social Club are special guests Bronco and fellow Savannahians The Maxines.
Black Tusk will then hit the road in May for more shows with fans down south.
Black Tusk »The Way Forward« tour dates:
April 26 Savannah, GA @ Congress St. Social Club
May 23 Atlanta, GA @ Boggs Social & Supply
May 24 Orlando, FL @ Will’s Pub
May 25 Stuart, FL @ East Ocean Pub
May 26 Jacksonville, FL @ Rain Dogs
Recorded at Hidden Audio in Rincon, GA.
Produced, engineered and mixed by Chris “Scary” Adams.
Mastered by Brad Boatright at Audiosiege.
Cover artwork by Brian Mercer.
Line-up:
Andrew Fidler – Guitar, Vocals
James May – Drums, Vocals
Derek Lynch – Bass, Vocals
Chris “Scary” Adams – Guitar, Vocals
Bojan Bidovc // music enthusiast, promoter, misanthrop and sometimes a journalist as well