Stinking Lizaveta to Release Anthems and Phantoms June 23; Preorder Available
Pleased as punch to say I’ve heard some (though not all) of these tunes that will feature on Stinking Lizaveta‘s first record in six years, Anthems and Phantoms, and the case with the Philadelphia instrumentalists remains much the same: if you know, you know. One way or another for most of the last 30 years, the band have operated on their own wavelength in bringing together heavy classic rock, jazz and pure metal shred, and while it’s been since 2017’s Journey to the Underworld (review here), the new one finds them having lost none of their edge. Preorders are up, the links are below from the PR wire, and that’s about all you really need.
If you’ve caught Stinking Lizaveta live at any point since shows started happening again, you’ve probably seen some of this material — at least “Electric Future” and “Daily Madness” and “Nomen est Omen,” etc. — on the stage, and if the resonant joy with which the band delivers their goods didn’t grab you, then perhaps the ability to sit and fully take stock of what they’re actually playing on the songs will. To that end there’s no audio from the record posted as yet, but I’ve got my hopes up that there will be soon, and as a fan of the band, I look forward to hearing the finished album as well when the time comes. Also hopefully soon. Anthems and Phantoms releases June 23 on SRA Records.
Note they’re blurbed by other artists. Very much that kind of band:
Instrumental doom jazz innovators Stinking Lizaveta announce ANTHEMS AND PHANTOMS, out 6-23-23 on SRA Records
Formats include digital, CD, vinyl LP and are available for pre-sale:
Instrumental doom jazz innovators, Stinking Lizaveta, drop their first studio album since 2017 on Friday, June 23, 2023 via SRA Records. “With no shortage of wild rippers, electrifying melodies and pure heavy metal spirit,” says Gina Gleason Baroness guitarist , “Anthems And Phantoms is a rock guitar triumph!” Lamb of God guitarist Mark Morton describes the new album with reverence: “Heavy, hypnotic grooves. Soaring lead guitar. Swaggering riffs that peel away into lurching, angular blasts. Driving flows that feel balanced and cohesive.”
Stinking Lizaveta has spent nearly three decades building an unparalleled catalog of instrumental rock. Brothers Yanni Papadopoulos (guitar) and Alexi Papadopoulos (upright electric bass) were heavily influenced by the sounds and values of their early years in the D.C. area. Drummer Cheshire Agusta hails from West Virginia and started on piano. Regarding her sound she says: “I let other people describe my music. I play it.”
Anthems and Phantoms, is an otherworldly sonic experience. The nine tracks on the album command attention with their fierce guitar tones, rich bass sounds, and robust drumming. When asked about the inspiration behind the record, Yanni Papadopoulos explains, “The title came to me as I was thinking about how to best describe our music. Some of the songs sound like national anthems from imaginary countries. Or perhaps they could describe a certain person, landscape, or terrain. All the tunes are slightly haunted by unexplained spirits.” The band is looking forward to performing their new material on tour. Cheshire Agusta says, “Stinking Lizaveta is saying exactly what I want to say to the world. I know I’m speaking clearly because I love the people who come to see us.”
The band have cut their teeth in the live music arena in America and Europe performing with bands such as Clutch, Mastodon, the Sword, Torche, Weedeater, Fugazi, Dÿse, Rollins Band, Lamb of God, Orange Goblin, Zeni Geva, Hidden Hand, Corrosion of Conformity, and Today’s the Day. Festivals they’ve played in the U.S. and abroad include Desertfests in London, New York and Berlin; Emissions From The Monolith in Ohio; SXSW in Austin; England’s All Tomorrow’s Parties; and Psycho Las Vegas.
The band released their self-titled 1994 EP on Joe Lally’s (The Messthetics, Fugazi) Tolotta Records. Lally describes Stinking Lizaveta as “…Always putting everything they have into their performance. I’ve never seen them just coasting along. It’s downhill at full speed until they’re spent.” Stinking Lizaveta solidified their place in the stoner rock and doom metal scenes with their album Hopelessness and Shame which was recorded by Steve Albini in 1996. Stinking Lizaveta has also been recorded by acclaimed producers Sanford Parker (EyeHateGod, Yob, Pelican, Yakuza) and Steve Berrigan (Down, EyeHateGod, Superjoint).
Anthems and Phantoms features Yanni Papadopoulos on guitar, Alexi Papadopoulos on upright electric bass, and Cheshire Agusta on drums. The album was recorded at Permanent Hearing Damage in South Philadelphia in October of 2020, and produced by Steve Roche (Mischief Brew/Erik Petersen, Witching, Saetia, RAMBO).
Anthems and Phantoms track listing:
-Side A-
Electric Future
Let Live
Shock
Nomen est Omen
Daily Madness
-Side B-
Serpent Underfoot
Blue Skunk
The Heart
Light of Love, Darkness of Doubt
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