Two years on from their internationally acclaimed self-titled debut, Beastwars return on 19th April 2013 releasing Blood Becomes Fire with a very special Record Store Day performance at Real Groovy records in Auckland on April 20th.
The sludge metal four-piece abides by one steadfast maxim: Obey the Riff.
Described as "a mongrel mix of Kyuss, Neurosis, and the mighty Godflesh..." (NZ Herald) and playing "heavy tunes for heavy times" (ALARM), the Wellington-based sonic soothsayers utilise the chaos that engulfs our world as ammunition for their defiant howls into the abyss.
The new album serves witness to the end of days, told through the eyes of a dying traveller from another time. “It is a work inspired by eternal themes”, says vocalist Matt Hyde. “It's a reflection on mortality, death and disease. Sooner or later they come for all of us and we've all screamed to the gods for answers, not that they've ever come."
On Blood Becomes Fire Beastwars hammer the story home with concussive force. “It’s a heavy album, both sonically and lyrically, but what solidifies it are the really triumphant 'fuck yeah' riffs. To us, this music is like getting psyched up to go into battle. You could be at war with someone else or yourself,” says drummer Nathan Hickey.
Following a successful collaboration on Beastwars' debut, Blood Becomes Fire is co-produced, recorded and mixed by Dale Cotton (HDU, Die! Die! Die!), mastered by John Golden (Neurosis, Swans, Sonic Youth), and features the art of Weta Workshop's award-winning Nick Keller—whose mind-melting gatefold oil paintings depict a twisted world inspired by the aural artillery within.
In 2011, Beastwars first album debuted at #15 on the NZ Top 40 charts, was shortlisted for the Taite Music Prize, was nominated twice at 2011's New Zealand Music Awards winning Best Album Artwork and was a finalist for Best Rock Album. A local craft brewery even acknowledged the band's achievements by naming a beer in their honour.
Beastwars was a hugely successful release on vinyl, topped Bandcamp's ‘most downloaded’ list, and the band made acclaimed videos for Lake of Fire and Empire. Reviews praised the album at home and overseas as one of the most triumphant debuts of the year.
Beastwars formed in 2007, and the band's reputation as a commanding live act has been secured with sold-out shows on multiple nationwide tours. The band was also hand-picked to support High On Fire, the Melvins, Kyuss Lives!, Helmet, Black Cobra and Fu Manchu on their New Zealand tour dates.
To kick-off the album's release the band will play a special in-store show at Real Groovy Records, Auckland, 4.00pm on Record Store Day, 20th April, where a limited edition 100 blood red vinyl copies will be made available for purchase.
Following the release of Blood Becomes Fire, Beastwars will tour New Zealand, and for the first time, Australia supporting John Garcia’s’ post-Kyuss band Unida.
TOUR DATES:
Auckland Saturday April 20th, Real Groovy Records instore performance (4pm)
Auckland Friday May 3rd, The Kings Arms with Unida
Wellington Saturday May 4th, Bodega with Unida
Sydney Friday May 10th, The Manning Bar with Unida and Truckfighters
Melbourne Sunday 12th, The Hi Fi with Unida
More dates to be announced.
