Beastwars Launch Preorders for Covers LP Tyranny of Distance
With no intent to offend, I’ll say outright that I have never heard of any of the artists Beastwars are covering on their upcoming eight-track covers LP, Tyranny of Distance, but I’ve heard the thing and it sure sounds like Beastwars, which is enough for me. I got a listen-through and didn’t initially know it was covers, but remarked on some different kinds of moods and shifts in sound around their central crushing ethic — you can hear some of that in the single “Waves” at the bottom of the post, and not just in the guest vocals from Julia Deans — and then was told what the deal was. As regards ferocity, I’ve yet to do a side-by-side with 2019’s IV (review here), but I’m genuinely thrilled to have the excuse to do one.
One of the vinyl editions is already sold out on preorder. I would not be surprised if others go before the actual release date, which is Oct. 13. So just a heads up on that.
Here’s info from the PR wire:
BEASTWARS: Wellington Metallers Celebrate the Music of New Zealand with TYRANNY OF DISTANCE Covers Album
The band’s fifth studio album offers interpretations of classic NZ artists such as The 3Ds, The Gordons, Superette, Snapper, and more!
Tyranny of Distance will be released on 13th October 2023 | Pre-order HERE: https://beastwars.bigcartel.com/
Renowned Wellington metallers Beastwars are thrilled to announce the release of their long-awaited fifth studio album, Tyranny of Distance, this October.
Showcasing the band’s remarkable talent for covering a range of artists and genres, the album spans across four decades of New Zealand’s rich musical history. Featuring reimagined tracks by acts such as The Gordons, Superette, Snapper, Marlon Williams, The 3Ds and more, Beastwars have extracted, mutated and distorted riffs to create a fresh and characteristically powerful sound.
The concept behind the album took root several years ago when vocalist Matthew Hyde expressed his admiration and desire to cover Marlon Williams’s ‘Dark Child’. The band didn’t pursue the idea until 2022 when they were approached to contribute a song to a Soundgarden tribute album. While on hiatus with band members facing personal challenges, the prospect of creating new, original music felt seemingly impossible. Yet they quickly discovered that the act of making music together was not only healing and cathartic but incredibly enjoyable. This realisation led to the resurrection and expansion of the idea to cover Williams’ song, marking the beginning of an ambitious journey involving shortlisting songs, seeking artists’ blessings, uncovering the inspirations behind the tracks, and even undertaking the challenging quest to decipher long-lost lyrics from original recordings.
Panhead Custom Ales, local institution and champions of rock music and custom car culture stepped up to show their unwavering support for Beastwars by embracing a simple proposition: “Would you finance the band’s recording of hot-rodded New Zealand songs?” Their answer? A resounding, “hell yeah!”
‘Waves’, the first single from Tyranny of Distance – featuring Fur Patrol’s Julia Deans and originally performed by ’90s Flying Nun act, Superette – exemplifies the band’s experimental approach when pushing the boundaries of the source material. With two Superette songs initially considered for the project, Beastwars based the song on the monolithic riff from ‘Saskatchewan’, overlaying the haunting lyrics and melody of ‘Waves’ to carry the pathos of the original, while making it entirely their own.
To celebrate the release of Tyranny of Distance, the band will also embark on a nationwide tour this October and November, with seven dates scheduled across Aotearoa (see below). For live performances, Christian Pearce, who also contributes to Beastwars’ side projects End Boss and Putrid Future, will join the band on guitar duties while original member Clayton Anderson takes a temporary break.
Tyranny of Distance will be released on 13th October 2023
Obey the Riff, Long Live the Beast!
TYRANNY OF DISTANCE NZ ALBUM TOUR DATES:
13/10 – The Musicians Club, Whanganui
14/10 – Zeal/The Mayfair, New Plymouth
26/10 – Last Place, Hamilton
27/10 – Galatos, Auckland
28/10 – San Fran, Wellington
3/11 – 12 Bar, Christchurch
4/11 – Dive, Dunedin
Tickets on sale now from www.beastwarsband.com
TRACK LISTING:
1. Identity (Orig. by The Gordons)
2. Waves (Orig. by Superette)
3. Emmanuelle (Orig. by Snapper)
4. Dark Child (Orig. by Marlon Williams)
5. Looking for the Sun (Orig. by Children’s Hour)
6. High and Lonely (Orig. by Nadia Reid)
7. We Light Fire (Orig. by Julia Deans)
8. Spooky (Orig. by The 3Ds)
https://www.facebook.com/beastwars666/
https://www.instagram.com/beastwarsband/
https://beastwars.bandcamp.com/
https://beastwars.bigcartel.com/
