Tragedy sucks but can inspire survivors with focus, passion and clarity of vision. In 2012, Georgian alt-metal band Baroness barely came out alive after their tour bus plunged 10 metres off a viaduct near Bath while the band was on tour in England. Nine people were injured, and in the aftermath, drummer Allen Blickle and bassist Matt Maggioni quit the band.
Frontman John Baizley and guitarist Peter Adams lead the way on their positively triumphant fourth album (out on their own new label), which includes new members Nick Jost and Sebastian Thomson and was co-produced by the great David Fridmann (Mercury Rev, Flaming Lips, MGMT). Baroness have always been musically adventurous. Here, each song is multi-sectional, textured and displays emotional range.
What’s much more unexpected is the deluge of seriously uplifting and playful moments. Halfway through first song Morningstar, the throaty self-serious singing and brutal riff-chugging swerve suddenly into stunning major-key singalongs and a glorious layered guitar solo. Shock Me, on the other hand, doesn’t wait until the end to get joyful, bringing in the fist-raising good vibes with the first chorus. Amidst the crushing avant-metal, we also get nods to classic rock, elegant instrumental work, searing lyrics and atmospheric keyboards.
A victory in more ways than one.
Top track: Shock Me
