Fully baked in primo Sabbathian roll, the new single “Mortal Bones” from Austin trio The Well bodes especially positively for their forthcoming RidingEasy Records debut album, Samsara. That record is out on Sept. 23, though you can order it from iTunes now — link below — and it was recorded by Mark Deutrom, formerly of the Melvins. Not sure if the artwork is by bassist/vocalist Lisa Alley as was the preceding 7″ Seven (review here), but it’s a similar pencil style and striking either way. If you told me it was I’d believe it.

The PR wire has info for the record and some backstory on the band if you want to get caught up, and the stream of “Mortal Bones” follows. If you skip to the song first and then go back, I think that might be a good way to go here. The proof is in the riffing:

Austin power trio THE WELL to unleash debut album SAMSARA this September

Texans to release eagerly anticipated album on 23rd September 2014 via RidingEasy Records

With a progressive sound that stems from a nostalgic desire to blend different musical styles as diverse as Joy Division and Blue Cheer, Austin-based power trio The Well redefine heavy rock by merging massive riffs with sophisticated melodies.

The group blossomed when guitarist/vocalist Ian Graham was fired from his previous band. Determined to redirect his musical focus, Graham hooked up with bassist Lisa Alley and the two began picking out riffs in their east-side garage. Rounding out their sound, they stole drummer Jason Sullivan from Graham’s old band in a tale of vengeance and karma. His solid groove and reckless tribal beat gave the three-piece their ideal primal attack.

Due to their psychedelic doom edge, The Well reaps comparisons to Black Sabbath, Sleep, Electric Wizard and Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats. As fans of cult horror films, they embrace the sinister, revel in dark themes and find inspiration in haunting echoes. The dual vocals of Graham and Alley evoke an ancient language that carries a mystic spell. Daunting rhythms and heavy guitars often accentuate their chilling chants. In the spring of 2012 The Well’s first studio experience was to record their debut 7? at the Barbeque Shack with Tia Carrera’s Jason Morales. Limited to 300 copies, Seven was pressed on mixed vinyl with several cover options featuring hand-drawn art that emulated a few of the band’s favourite album covers. Nicknamed the “rip-off” series, the single sold out quickly becoming a favourite among European collectors.

By the fall of 2012, The Well were back in the studio again, this time at Ohm Recording Facility with Producer Mark Deutrom (Melvins, Sun O)))) and Engineer Chico Jones to record their debut album. However, an opportunity to record with Converse Rubber Tracks during SXSW 2013 resulted in the epic track ‘Eternal Well’ and sparked the idea of an EP. First Trip was pressed with a handful of songs from the Ohm sessions together with ‘Eternal Well’ just in time for their West Coast Summer Tour. Due to the energy and excitement of their live shows, the vinyl sold out quickly. With each repressing, a different hand-screened cover was printed until all four limited editions sold out. One of their most rabid fans was RidingEasy Records label boss Daniel Hall who recently signed the band.

Inspired by early ’70s psych, heavy rock, blues and proto-metal, The Well has created a sound that reflects doom, punk and horror all rolled together into one ghostly rock soundtrack. Their full-length debut Samsara is their strongest collection of songs to date. Produced by Mark Deutrom and released through RidingEasy Records, the masterwork is a stripped down, electric blues fuzzfest and begs to be heard live. After a steady touring schedule that’s seen the band share the stage with international acts such as: Kadavar, Orchid, Fu Manchu, High On Fire, NAAM, Orange Goblin, Pentagram and Dead Meadow guarantees The Well are contenders.

“Writing dark, ominous music is how I deal with life,” admits Ian. “When we play live it’s like expelling the demons.” At a time when rock music is fading among the masses, The Well injects an intoxicating dose of raw adrenaline into a fatigued genre. Their nostalgic reverence, simple structure and modern expression put them at the forefront of today’s heavy rock.

Samsara is released via RidingEasy Records on 23rd September 2014.

Mortal Bones 7″ single – http://ridingeasyrecords.com/product/well-mortal-bones-7/

iTunes pre-order – https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/samsara/id903208953?ls=1

The Well:
Ian Graham – Guitarist/Vocalist
Lisa Alley – Bass/Vocalist
Jason Sullivan – Drums

thewellband.com
thewellaustin.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/thewellband
twitter.com/thewellband
instagram.com/thewellband

The Well, “Mortal Bones” from Samsara (2014)

Tags: Austin, RidingEasy Records, Samsara, Texas, The Well, The Well Samsara

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