It was really just a question of who — I said as much in May — and Argonauta Records makes sense not just because of their seemingly-perpetual signing spree but because of what they’re able to do in picking and promoting quality acts. Rainbows are Free will release Head Pains, their third album, through Argonauta on Nov. 29. Lock it down. The record is killer. That’s all there is to it. Good band gets signed. Everybody gets that warm feeling in their belly that only comes when things go right in the world.

I’m going to hope to have more to come ahead of the release, but the signing announcement seems like an occasion worth marking, so here it is as it came down the PR wire:

RAINBOWS ARE FREE sign to Argonauta Records + reveal album details!

Brand new record due out in November 2019!

Oklahoma heavy psych doom prog-rockers Rainbows Are Free have inked a worldwide deal with Italian powerhouse label Argonauta Records, who will release the band’s third and hotly anticipated album, Head Pains, on November 29th 2019.

Recorded at the legendary Bell Labs studios, engineered and mixed by Trent Bell of Chainsaw Kittens fame, in Norman, OK, the band just recently not only revealed the cover art but also a first track taken from their upcoming Head Pains!

“Rainbows Are Free are excited to join forces with Argonauta Records for the release of our upcoming third record, Head Pains.“ The band comments. “Gero has curated an impressive roster of some of the heaviest underground stoner, doom,and sludge bands in the world, and we are happy to count ourselves among them. While we were deep in the throes of the dubious task of finding a new label to put out this record, we were constantly being referred to Argonauta every step of the way. It is no accident that we landed at Argonauta’s doorstep, and thankfully, they let us inside.“

Rainbows Are Free’s sonic locus appears on the rock n’ roll family tree at the point where proto-metal and heavy psychedelia shared a common apocryphal ancestor before branching off into their own distinct lineages. RAF formed in late 2007 as the conglomerate of several long-time heavy rock bands from Norman, OK. In February 2008, RAF self-released their eponymous demo EP, followed by the critically acclaimed full length album Believers In Medicine two years later with Guestroom Records Records. The band’s sophomore album, Waves Ahead of the Ocean, saw RAF taking on a new level with shows all over the States with acts such as High on Fire, Dead Meadow, St. Vitus, The Sword, Big Business, Pallbearer, Kylesa and many more. Often appearing in costumed stage dress, the band fronted by the soaring and snarling nigh 7-foot cyclone of weirdness that is Brandon Kistler, continues to shock and amaze fans by introducing an element of good-humored theatrics to accompany their live sonic assault. This is achieved in no small part due to the guitar prowess and songwriting of Richie Tarver, joined by the ambient soundscapes of Joey Powell on rhythm guitar, the thunderous low end of Jason Smith on bass, and Bobby Onspaugh on drums. Rainbows Are Free continue to bring their unique brand of psychedelic heaviness on tour as they support the release of Head Pains due out Fall 2019.

Head Pains is set to be released in CD and Digital formats on November 29th via Argonauta Records, with vinyl support from Tulsa-based Horton Records. Watch out for many more album updates and tunes to be revealed in the days ahead!

RAF is:
Brandon Kistler -Vocals
Richie Tarver – Lead Guitar
Jason Smith – Bass
Joey Powell – Rhythm Guitar
Bobby Onspaugh – Drums

https://www.facebook.com/RainbowsAreFree/
http://instagram.com/rainbowsarefree
https://rainbowsarefree.bandcamp.com/
https://rainbowsarefree.com/
www.argonautarecords.com
https://www.facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords/
https://www.instagram.com/argonautarecords/

Rainbows are Free, “Shapeshifter”

Yes, it’s been half a decade since Oklahoma’s Rainbows are Free released their second album, Waves Ahead of the Ocean (review here), but you know, when the PR wire lit up with the news of their impending follow-up, Head Pains, my immediate response was, “Oh shit, badass.” Five years later. That’s pretty good. The five-piece are currently streaming the track “Shapeshifter” from the new record, and they’re looking for a label to step up and help them release the thing. I have a hard time imagining someone won’t get on board and get the thing out on vinyl if not across multiple formats. I mean, unless it’s three hours long or something, it seems like a no-brainer to me. These guys are awesome, the sampling they’re giving would seem to show that hasn’t changed since 2014, and as I recall, the last outing had good underground buzz around it. Would be a good pickup for somebody, so yeah, I’ll expect that news at some point.

Until then, here’s the album info and the track, hoisted off the aforementioned PR wire:

Head Pains is Rainbows Are Free’s third full length album, and follow-up to 2014’s Waves Ahead of the Ocean. The completion of Head Pains heralds a return to RAF’s heavy psychedelic roots as witnessed on their breakout album, Believers In Medicine in 2010. Although considered a return to form, Head Pains further exhibits the band’s unique voice — setting them apart from contemporaries of heavy psychedelic, doom, and stonerrock with whom they’ve shared the stage, (High on Fire, Dead Meadow, St. Vitus, The Sword, Big Business, Kylesa, etc.).

Often appearing in costumed stage dress, the band, fronted by the soaring and snarling nigh 7-foot cyclone of weirdness that is Brandon Kistler, continues to shock and amaze fans by introducing an element of good humored theatrics to accompany their live sonic assault. This is achieved in no small part due to the guitar prowess and songwriting of Richie Tarver, joined by the ambient soundscapes of Joey Powell on rhythm guitar, and the thunderous low end of Jason Smith on bass, and Bobby Onspaugh on drums.

Rainbows Are Free continue to bring their unique brand of psychedelic heaviness on tour in 2019 as they seek label support for the release of Head Pains.

Recorded in 2018-2019 by Trent Bell (Flaming Lips, Chainsaw Kittens) at Bell Labs, Norman, OK. Mastered by Hans DeKline of Hans DeKline Mastering, Los Angeles, CA. Album art by Tony Roberts (Electric Wizard, Conan, Slomatics).

HEAD PAINS
1. Covered In Dawn
2. Electricity on Wax
3. Shapeshifter
4. The Sound Inside
5. Lady of the Woods / Psychonaut
6. A Penny’s Worth
7. Nile Song
8. Eunice

https://www.facebook.com/RainbowsAreFree/
http://instagram.com/rainbowsarefree
https://rainbowsarefree.bandcamp.com/
https://rainbowsarefree.com/

Rainbows are Free, “Shapeshifter”