"Flat out it's one of the best heavy psych debut albums
you'll hear in 2018." -- The Obelisk
"This quartet has been burning up stages all around
their hometown, fueled by their abrasive blend of doom metal, psych rock, goth
and a tangy soupçon of pop music... They landed a spot on the 2018 Best New
Band poll in alt-weekly Willamette Week, but could quickly take over the
world." -- Paste Magazine
"They mesh elements of doom, Krautrock and atmospheric
indie into one bewitching rock whole." --Classic Rock Magazine
Portland,
OR quartet BlackWater HolyLight
share the first video from their breakout debut album today. Watch and share
"Wave of Conscience" via YouTube.
BlackWater HolyLight also announce West Coast tour dates
starting August 3rd. Please see current dates below.
Their self-titled RidingEasy Records debut has received
unanimous press praise and continues to grow. Brooklyn Vegan recently streamed
the entire album HERE. (Direct YouTube.)
The notion of "heavy music" is continuing to
expand of late, with many intrepid artists finding new ways to incorporate the
power of traditional metal into new music, but without all of its trappings.
Enter Portland, OR quartet BlackWater HolyLight to further
swirl musical elements into a captivating hybrid of emotional intensity. Heavy
psych riffs, gothic drama, folk-rock vibes, garage-sludge and soaring melodies
all collide into a satisfying whole with as much contrast as the band's name
itself.
"I wanted to experiment with my own version of what
felt 'heavy' both sonically and emotionally," says founder and
vocalist/bassist Allison (Sunny) Faris. "I also wanted a band in which
vulnerability of any form could be celebrated." BlackWater HolyLight --
Faris, guitarist/vocalist Laura Hopkins, drummer Cat Hoch and synth player
Sarah Mckenna -- formed upon the breakup of Faris' longtime band and she sought
a fresh start. "In my last band I was the only female in a group of 6, so
I wanted to see how my song writing and vulnerability could glow taking the
drivers seat and working with women."
The band's self-titled debut begins with a simple, almost
grunge-like riff as a chorus of voices introduce a melodic line in
call-and-response until the band kicks in, slowly building into crescendo like
a lost outtake from Led Zeppelin's Houses of the Holy. Elsewhere, "Sunrise" begins with
a chorus-drenched post-punk groove until a sonic boom of heavily distorted
guitar skree erupts out of nowhere. Nearly as suddenly, the song returns to its
lulling core, subtly building the tension until it ruptures completely in a
blast of noise. Likewise, "Carry Her" establishes a dark, sparse
melody and distinctly thin sounding drums not far removed from early work of
The Cure. However, BlackWater HolyLight's penchant for surprise attack finds a
sudden shift into a doom-like dirge, colored with eerie synth notes and
pounding shards of fuzz. Throughout the album, their songs shirk traditional
verse-chorus-verse structure in favor of fluid, serpentine compositions that
move with commanding grace. The band expertly, yet subconsciously, incorporates
hints of Chelsea Wolfe, Celebration, Captain Beefheart, The Raincoats, The
Stooges, Pink Floyd, Jane's Addiction and more to form their unique brand of
dark'n'heavy transcendence..
BlackWater HolyLight was recorded by Cameron Spies at Gold
Brick Studios and The Greenhouse, and with Eric Crespo at Touch Tourcher
Recording in Portland.
The album is available on LP, CD and download, released April 6th, 2018 via
RidingEasy Records on LP & CD at www.ridingeasyrecs.com and digital at
blackwaterholylight.bandcamp.com.
BLACKWATER HOLYLIGHT LIVE:
08/03 Nevada City,
CA @ Cooper's
08/04 Oakland,
CA @ Elbo Jack London
08/07 Las Vegas,
NV @ Bunkhouse
08/08 Los Angeles,
CA @ Zebulon w/ Zig Zags
08/09 Oceanside,
CA @ Pourhouse w/ Red Wizard
08/10 Fresno,
CA @ Full Circle
08/11 Arcata,
CA @ Alibi
Artist: BlackWater HolyLight
Album: BlackWater HolyLight
Label: RidingEasy Records
Release Date: April 6th, 2018
01. Willow
02. Wave of Conscience
03. Babies
04. Paranoia
05. Sunrise
06. Slow Hole
07. Carry Her
08. Jizz Witch
On The Web:
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