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Wovenhand Unveil “Hiss” from Refractory Obdurate; New Album out April 29

I have a particularly hard time speaking about Wovenhand in terms other than hyperbolic praise. The David Eugene Edwards-fronted genre-defiers will release their new album, Refractory Obdurate, through Deathwish Inc. and Glitterhouse Records on April 29. It’ll be Wovenhand’s seventh full-length, following 2012’s The Laughing Stalk (review here), which continued to push their sound into new places in terms of influence and arrangement, the band getting progressively heavier, more joyful, more intense as they go along. Their style, though it always shifts from record to record, is distinctly their own, and the new single “Hiss” follows that pattern with a fullness of tone and spaciousness in the recording.

On the sheer level of its chugging riff and furious tension, “Hiss” is up there with the heaviest output Wovenhand have had to date, though in the bigger picture of their work overall, that’s a tertiary consideration. I wouldn’t expect “Hiss” to speak for the entirety of Refractory Obdurate more than I’d expect the river to speak for the lake, but it’s a clear signal that Edwards as the principal songwriter has maintained a fascination with what weighted sound can bring to Wovenhand‘s aesthetic. They continue to be on a level of their own in both their mastery of what they do and their drive to push beyond that mastery, out of their comfort zone, and into new ground.

Release info follows the video. Enjoy:

Wovenhand, “Hiss”

Brought to you by a partnership of Deathwish and Glitterhouse Records, release dates are as follows:

April 29th: Deathwish Release Date (World)
April 25th: Glitterhouse Release Date (Europe)

Wovenhand is a band led by dedicated life-musician and lyricist, David Eugene Edwards. Over the last two decades, his prolific work in both Wovenhand and the legendary 16 Horsepower has influenced and inspired a generation of musicians throughout the expansive alternative music world.

Wovenhand cannot be described in traditional terms. Their sound is an organic, weavework of neo-folk, post rock, punk, old-time, and alternative sounds. All coming together as a vehicle for David’s soulful expression and constant spiritual self exploration. Sometimes sad and sorrowed and at other times uplifting, Wovenhand are always unforgettable in spirit and sound.

“Refractory Obdurate” is the latest album from Wovenhand. Joining David on this album are longtime percussionist Ordy Garrison, along with musicians Chuck French and Neil Keener (Planes Mistaken For Stars, Git Some).

“Refractory Obdurate” is a moving masterwork that shows Wovenhand exploring louder roots hinted at on prior albums. As they maintain their melodious course, “Good Shepherd”, “Field of Hedon”, and “Hiss”, stomp forth with a newly amplified punk rock heart. While “The Refractory”, “Salome”, and “Obdurate Obscura” each ascend epically into a multi-layered haze. Ten songs in all, “Refractory Obdurate” plays as a beautifully crafted patchwork that transcends genres and expectation; a true artistic achievement, that only Wovenhand could offer.

Track Listing:
01. Corsicana Clip
02. Masonic Youth
03. The Refractory
04. Good Shepherd
05. Salome
06. King David
07. Field of Hedon
08. Obdurate Obscura
09. Hiss
10. El-bow

Wovenhand on Thee Facebooks

Deathwish Inc.

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One Response to “Wovenhand Unveil “Hiss” from Refractory Obdurate; New Album out April 29”

  1. Russ says:

    This is their best album to date. Full of emotional impact. I can hear sprinkles of Killing Joke in the heavier tunes. A must have album of 2014.

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