Album Type: Full Length
Date Released:
Sept
15th
2014
Label:
New Heavy Sounds
Condemned To
Hope - track listing:
01) Tumbleweave
02) Set Yourself
Alight
03) Looner
04) The Undead King
of Rock ‘n’ Roll
05) The Last Maze
06) White Lies
07) Red Ink
08) Stinkhorn
09) Room 13
10) Slumber With The
Worm
11) Condemned To
Hope
Bio
Formed
in Leeds in 2010, BLACK MOTH have quickly established themselves as
one of the most exciting underground acts in the UK. Fronted by
magnetic vocalist Harriet Bevan, this young and talented quintet was
defined as "Electric Wizard meeting Band Of Skulls in a dungeon"
by Terrorizer. The release in 2012 of their fiery debut record "The
Killing Jar" - a grunge-goth odyssey sprinkled with a variety of
influences going from Sabbath to the Melvins, The Stooges to L7 - and
their mesmerizing on-stage presence, led them to share the stages
with the likes of Uncle Acid & the Deadbeats, Red Fang or
Turbowolf. They were also invited to play great festivals such as
Desertfest London, Download Festival or Reading festival.
BLACK
MOTH's long-awaited second full-length was produced by Jim Sclavunos
(Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, The Cramps, Grinderman) and recorded
by legendary Leeds engineer Andy Hawkins. "Condemned To Hope"
is an album of fearsome drive and clandestine twists, skilfully
sidestepping the cliché and heavy-handedness of delivery that often
seems fit to destroy contemporary heavy rock 'n' roll from the inside
out.
The
artwork for "Condemned To Hope » was entirely created by prog
art legend ROGER DEAN. Designer, architect and artist, Roger Dean's
iconic work for Yes, Uriah Heep, Budgie, countless Vertigo sleeves
and much more, has almost come to define 70’s sleeve art. His work
may be associated with rock and progressive rock in particular, but
here, Roger goes over to the dark side, moving away from the more
fantastical vistas that feature in much of his paintings.
Band Members
Harriet Bevan -
Vocals
Jim Swainston -
Guitar
Nico Carew - Guitar
Dave Vachon - Bass
Dom McCready –
Drums
Review:
Black
Moth return with their eagerly awaited 2nd album – Condemned To
Hope. Condemned To Hope plays out like a stirring and hard-hitting
critique of Modern Day Life as the albums lyrics contain dark and
twisted biting social commentary. Especially on tracks - Tumbleweave,
Set Yourself Alight and Loner. These tracks prove that Condemned To
Hope is a darker and stranger experience than their debut album.
Though to be fair, Harriet did warn us to expect this when I
interviewed Harriet recently.
Some
people may find the album very hard to identify with, as some of the
songs have a unique distinct British quality and identity to them.
Black Moth add elements of British based life to their music. Please
do not let that put you off as Black Moth wisely explore other areas
of life that everyone can identify with. Harriet’s spellbinding and
commanding vocals are superbly matched against the intense riffs
that instantly draw you in to keep you entertained from start to
finish.
The
album has a great sense of humour though its one of dark jet-black
humour that Harriett wickedly and slyly sings through. Are Black Moth
having fun on this album? - Surely not? - Though you cant deny the
evidence with tracks - Red Ink and Room 13 - As Black Moth once again
combine heavy sounding Doom/Stoner Metal riffs with funny as heck
intelligent lyrics which will leave some listeners shocked. As the
subject matter for Red Ink is of an adult nature. Well done – Black
Moth. You managed even to shock me a bit on that track. I almost
forgot to mention the album is dripping in dark satanic fuzz which
gives the album extra layers of volume to drown your soul with.
The
production on the album is fantastic through out as it manages to
bring Black Moths dark twisted vision to life for everyone to fully
witness. It may take a few listens to fully understand the album as
Black Moth have created a thought provoking and challenging album
indeed. Condemned To Hope is a surreal, weird, dark and twisted
musical odyssey that Black Moth should rightly be proud of. Watch out
folks – Black Moth are ready for Occult Rock Domination and on this
form who is going to stand in their way.
Thanks
to Claire at Purple Sage PR. Condemned To Hope will be available to
buy on CD/DD/Vinyl from New Heavy Sounds from Sept 15th 2014.
Check
The Band From Links Below
Written
by Steve Howe
