Whatever else might be going on in The Progerians‘ second album, there’s plenty of crushing to be had. The Belgian four-piece will issue Crush the Wise Men Who Refuse to Submit this Friday, May 24, through Mottow Soundz, and as its willfully unmanageable 62-minute run is set out across four sides of a double-LP, the band bask in a more atmospheric roll lent an immediately socio-political context through from the album’s title. I won’t claim to know where the band stands the right-left spectrum — they’re not wearing yellow vests in their press shot, so that’s something, I guess — but the cover art depicting industrialists as devils, the title and the lumbering atmospheric noise rock that pervades the album itself certainly speak to a given perspective, and though they seem to be treading a fine line in the album’s aesthetic as regards Europe’s history of who takes the blame for such things, delving into that particular discrimination does not necessarily automatically follow from an anti-capitalist stance.

Opening cut “Frankie Leads to Death” and the subsequent “Destitute” set the tone for the rest of what follows in a viscous groove and moments of harsher bite, shouted vocals presaging some of the more spoken approach on “Hold Your Cross” before the drift of “Oceania” on side B. The most intense moment is reserved for the early going of the semi-title-track “Crush the Wise Men,” but The Progerians demonstrate on the whole a rich take that moves beyond the foundations of noise rock into more complex territory, trading off volume and thrust throughout “Hello World” and “Netjeret” while continuing to stay within the central aggressive mood of “Frankie Leads to Death” — which liquor might be called “Frankie?” — and “Destitute” back on side A. As the album unfolds, it successfully builds a linear course on this, leading to the closer “Your Manifest,” which feels extra weighted despite its melodic vocals and lead guitar cutting through the low-end morass.

Is it very, very heavy? Why yes, it is. Thank you for asking.

And it’s timely, not just for the prior-alluded unrest among Europe’s working populace, but also for the manner in which it presents its take, emphasizing heft and groove but not forsaking melody any more than it wants to in order to do so. It is a consuming offering that by the time it digs into the foreboding layering of guitar in “Hello World” and the subsequent near-mathy chug and big chorus of “Graven” on side C makes its presence felt in a way that would almost seem to indicate The Progerians have outgrown their moniker — they started out as The Fabulous Progerians for their 2015 debut (discussed here) — or at least that they would have were they still not so gosh darn progressive in their approach.

Dig the satisfying brutal blend for yourself on “Destitute” by checking out the video premiere below, followed by more album info from the PR wire.

And please enjoy:

The Progerians, “Destitute” official video premiere

Formally known as ‘The Fabulous Progerians’ and ‘The Mighty Progerians’, the band’s first official release in 2012 was the 6-track EP, Degeneration (Hannibal’s Records). Over the years they worked to hone their sound into a unique sonic signature, one which was crystalized forever more on their 2015 debut album, The Fabulous Progerians. Widely known for their powerful live performances, following the critical success of their debut the band were invited to perform at legendary festivals across Europe, appearing on bills at DesertFest and Roadburn.

Fast forward to 2019 and with the help of Mottow Soundz – another Belgian rock institution and home to heavyweights like My Diligence and cult rockers, La Muerte – The Progerians will serve their second and most ambitious record to date. Standing on the shoulder of sheer ambition, Crush The Wise Men Who Refuse To Submit, invites listeners on a hour-long journey, deep into the depths of spirit and substance in an attempt to sever all ties with inner demons. In no uncertain terms, it’s a devastating record and one you’d be crazy to miss.

Crush The Wise Men Who Refuse To Submit, the brand new album from The Progerians is released on 24th May 2019 on Mottow Soundz and can be pre-ordered here – https://www.mottowsoundz.com/music/progerians-vinyl

THE PROGERIANS:
Fabe – Vocals, Guitar
Piotr – Vocals, Bass Guitar
Thomas – Vocals, Drums
Barto – Guitar

The Progerians on Bandcamp

The Progerians on Thee Facebooks

Mottow Soundz website