THE BLACK ANGELS
FLOOD Magazine debuts new single “Without A Trace”
Wilderness of Mirrors Double LPOut September 16 on Partisan Records
Singles: “Firefly” “El Jardín” “Without A Trace”
Austin’s psych-rock legends have already earned acclaim spanning Brooklyn Vegan, Clash, FLOOD, Gigwise, Louder Than War, NPR All Songs Considered, SPIN, The Times, and Under The Radar for their brand new album Wilderness of Mirrors due out September 16 via Partisan Records. Today, they reveal album opener “Without A Trace”, a classic blast of fuzzed-out guitars that chews on the question “Is it still possible to be invincible when everyone else is expendable?” The band shares, “We have always said that if you can rob a bank to our music then we are in the right ballpark. And while we don’t condone robbing a bank – the idea alone creates an anticipatable, adrenaline inducing soundtrack for your mind.” The new song follows acclaimed lead single/video “El Jardín,” which features Austin Amelio from The Walking Dead and stars his son Lev, and experimental single “Firefly”, a ‘60s French pop homage which features Thievery Corporation’s LouLou Ghelichkani.
The most impactful music reflects a wide-screen view of the world back at us, helping distill the universal into something far more relatable. The Black Angels have become standard-bearers for modern psych-rock that does exactly that, which is one of many reasons why the group’s new album feels so aptly named. It has been 5 years since fans have been treated to an album from the band and Wilderness of Mirrors marks a triumphant return with their foot on the pedal. The new collection expertly refines the Black Angels’ psychedelic rock attack alongside a host of intriguing sounds and textures while political tumult, the pandemic, and the ongoing devastation of the environment have provided ample fodder for their signature sound and fierce lyrical commentary.
Mellotron, strings and other keyboards are more prominent than ever before. The Black Angels – Alex Maas (vocalist/bassist), Christian Bland (guitarist), Stephanie Bailey (drummer), Jake Garcia (guitarist), Ramiro Verdooren (multi-instrumentalist) – co-produced the record, working closely with Brett Orrison (co-producer) and Dinosaur Jr engineer John Agnello to achieve something fresh and new while retaining their heavily influential classic sound.
Since forming in 2004 in Austin, TX, the Black Angels remain masterfully true to psych-rock forebears such as Syd Barrett, Roky Erickson, Arthur Lee and the members of the Velvet Underground, all of whom are namechecked on “The River.” The band’s global influence is solidified by their beloved, long-running Levitation Festival, the veritable ground zero for the genre’s past, present and future — celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. The band will bring their blistering live show to stages across North America on their headlining Autumn tour, which kicks off at Psycho Las Vegas on August 20.
Pre-order Wilderness of Mirrors here.
The Black Angels – Wilderness of Mirrors album tracklisting
1. Without A Trace2. History of the Future3. Empires Falling4. El Jardin5. La Pared (Govt. Wall Blues)6. Firefly7. Make it Known8. The River9. Wilderness of Mirrors10. Here & Now11. 100 Flowers of Paracusia12. A Walk on the Outside13. Vermillion Eyes14. Icon15. Suffocation
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My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago and married my childhood sweetheart and life is good.
