Merlock Set Feb. 24 Release for Onward Strides Colossus
The prospect of a solidified Merlock should only be concerning if you don’t like having your bones rattled. The Spokane, Washington, outfit led by guitarist/vocalist Taylor D. Waring — who writes expressively and efficiently and whose social media game is ever on point — have announced a Feb. 24 release date for Onward Strides Colossus, their awaited debut album following behind last year’s You Cannot Be Saved EP (review here) and 2020’s That Which Speaks EP (review here).
This material would seem to have been in the works for a while, since even before You Cannot Be Saved was released, the band had a live-ish video of a set (it’s at the bottom of this post) which included “Where No One Goes,” a lumbering psych-sludge rocker like YOB covered in mud and angry about it. That song — starting at 21:12 in the video, if you’re looking for it — will feature on Onward Strides Colossus, and I look forward to hearing the proper studio version of its duly soaring culmination and overarching chaotic vibe.
No audio yet, but here’s the album announce courtesy of the PR wire:
MERLOCK Announce New Album Onward Strives Colossus
Exploring gloomy realms, MERLOCK produce imposing soundscapes that embrace the murky depths. Seeing multiple genres converge, MERLOCK manifest a compelling doom, psychedelic and stoner mix in the new record Onward Strives Colossus.
“Onward Strides Colossus is a sort of “hero’s journey” set in a posthuman, postdoom atmosphere. Sonically and lyrically, it explores cycles of death and rebirth, notions of hell, and of self-actualization. Seeking truth is the primary urge of the album, and that urge becomes, at times, colossal, which is where the name comes from. Heady pretension aside, the album is also very much about the three of us building this monstrosity that is Merlock. Writing albums, touring, failure & victory — all of those intense experiences that continually shape and reshape us as people. We all had to grow into new, more powerful versions of ourselves to create this album. We know the colossus doesn’t stop here.” — Taylor D. Waring
Introducing the release is “Sovereign Throne”, a groove rhythm powered track with a bluesy side. Lead guitars emerge out of the shadows with bright intricate solos that interweave. An injection of energy sees the pace increase and elevates the music as the vocals soar above. “Behold the Sword of Lock” brings an aggressive onslaught seeing harsh vocals combined with noisy guitar tones to unleash a fully immersive sound. MERLOCK pull out all the stops with the album’s title track. Eerie, droning fuzz and wandering vocals evoke a haunting, otherworldly air. Playing with dynamics, the tracks builds up into explosive rhythmic guitars and percussion — “Onward Strides Colossus” delivers a powerful and impressive impact.
About MERLOCK:
Described by critics as “gloomy and semi-mystical”, “shadowy and mysterious”, and “epic and ever-climbing”, MERLOCK melds stoner doom with heavy psychedelic sounds to create heavy post-doom atmospheres. Formed in 2017 in Spokane, Washington, MERLOCK has self-released 2 EPs and toured the West Coast while continuously demonstrating their willingness to evolve a songwriters and performers. Having weathered line-up changes and the ever-evolving music scene in the post-COVID world, MERLOCK continues to look for new paths forward.
Tracklisting:
1. Sovereign Throne
2. Sunnbarren
3. Behold! The Sword of Lock
4. Where No One Goes
5. Somniloquy
6. Onward Strides Colossus
Album Credits:
Album Art – Leoncio Harmr
Album Layout – Taylor D. Waring
Engineering and Mixing – Nic Wilbur
Mastering – Adam Tucker
MERLOCK is:
Taylor D. Waring – Guitar / Vox
Andrew Backes – Bass
Lucas Barrey – Drums
https://www.facebook.com/MerlockSpokane/
https://www.instagram.com/merlocklives/
https://merlock.bandcamp.com/
https://www.merlocklives.com/
