TRACK PREMIERE: Stinking Lizaveta's Journey to the Underworld chapter I "Witches and Pigs"

For over 20 years, Stinking Lizaveta have released multiple critically acclaimed albums and shared the stage with national headlining bands such as Clutch, Corrosion of Conformity, Fugazi, Weedeater and more. They have held the reins as rock pioneers and have built a worldwide cult following for their legendary and unrelenting sound.  With help from Stephen Berrigan and Paul Webb, Stinking Lizaveta have created their most innovative release to date “Journey to the Underworld”

Translation Loss Recordswill release the album on February 17^th and features nine new songs, showcasing the bands dedication to their style of unrestrained instrumental fusion.  Combining doom, jazz, and punk, “Journey to the Underworld” takes listeners on a powerful journey through uncharted space and time to venture into new musical frontiers.   Featuring stunning artwork by David Gunn, “Journey to the Underworld” will be available on compact disc, limited edition coloured vinyl and digital. Pre-order available now through Translation Loss Records here and Guitarist Yanni Papadopoulos shares his insight into the recording of the new album below

“Journey To The Underworld” was recorded at   "Nosferatus' Lair" Studio down on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana.  We wanted to record in New Orleans because of the demonic musical energy one feels down there.  Steve Berrigan, who is Housecore's in house engineer, was on tour with Mountain of Wizard.  We have been friends with Paul Webb, of MOW, for 20 some years. I told Steve we wanted to do a New Orleans album.  He was familiar with our band since we had played Check Point Charlie'son Halloween for ten years straight, so he offered to record us.  We could't refuse, it was a vision come true!

In October 2015 we flew to NOLA.  Paul met us at the airport and drove us across the 30 mile causeway to the North Shore.  “Nosferatus Lair”is Phil Anselmo's studio, and we are indebted to him for sponsoring us.  We started recording that night and Paul Webb stayed with us for the next five days to help us realize our vision.  As I had hoped, the character of the land infused our music.  We could feel the coming of All Souls Day, not to mention Phil's house was filled with classic horror memorabilia.

When it came time to title the album it seemed appropriate to reference Odysseus'  journey to the underworld from Homer's Odyssey.  At the bottom of the Mississippi you get an underworld feel, like the spirits are all alive and ready to commune with you.  Maybe it's Voodoo, or just the deep musical culture.

You can stream the opening track from the album “Witches and Pigs” below

“Journey to the Underworld” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Witches and Pigs

2. Chorus of Shades

3. Sharp Stick in the Eye

4. Six Fangs

5. Blood, Milk and Honey

6. Journey to the Underworld

7. Love Song For Jusu

8. A Stranger's Welcome

9. Allegro

Band info: facebook

INSTRUMENTAL INTERPRETATIONS Part VII: Animals As Leaders – “The Madness of Many”

By: Phil Weller

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 11/11/2016

Label: Sumerian Records

Tosin Abasi and company find expressionism through mathematic complexity.

“The Madness of Many” CD//DD//LP track listing:

01. Arithmophobia
02. Ectogenesis
03. Cognitive Contortions
04. Inner Assassins
05. Private Visions Of The World
06. Backpfeifengesicht
07. Transcentience
08. The Glass Bridge
09. The Brain Dance
10. Aepirophobia

The Review:

Every generation plays host to its innovators and Animals As Leaders’ Tosin Abasi, through the imitable tones that usher forth from his 8 string guitar, represents a very fresh and modern approach to guitar playing. Using the extended range to flirt with slap techniques otherwise left to bassists and detailing his sonic canvas with everything from the heavy grunt of djent and progressive metal to swinging gypsy jazz, electronica and more, here is a musician who laughs at the idea of boundaries and limitations.

In many respects ‘The Madness of Many’, the band’s fourth album and second truly collaborative effort, is Abasi’s most accomplished too thanks to the diverse palette which is laid out before us. From the siren-led mathematic chaos of ‘Arithmophobia’(meaning a fear of numbers) to the likes of ‘Inner Assassins’, which allows all his musical references and inspirations to tangle with one another inside one great big melting pot, it is a spectacularly engaging record.

The pinballing rhythms of ‘Private Visions of the World’ make way for some breath taking lead work before returning with a pinging vengeance. It sounds like a wondrous cross between John McLaughlin and Meshuggah. 

On the final two tracks, their diversity is further broadened when they drop the crunching steel electrics for nylon acoustics. ‘The Brain Dance’ and ‘Apeirophobia’(a fear of eternity) shift the mood dramatically, giving the record a serene yet oddly frantic conclusion as the luscious flamenco at play soon dips and dives into time signature contorting, spasmodic djent phrasing. The band’s mantra of hybrid stylistic thinking is here epitomised as they seamlessly combine a traditional, almost ancient style of music with one of the most modern without you ever raising an eyebrow in confusion. Such is the quality of this cross-breeding, you just accept it for what it is, close your eyes and sink deeper and deeper into its transcendental depths.    

While its complexity may at times be overwhelming, there is a gorgeousness which prevails through a blazing trail of algorithms and acrobatics. It may sound like rocket science, but it has personality too.

“The Madness of Many” is available everywhere from 11/11/2016

Band info: facebook || official