Metalpaths conducted an interview with the mastermind of the band, guitarist/vocalist and artwork designer John Baizley, talks about (probably) the darkest Baroness album to date, the first one since their terrifying bus accident in 2012.

John talks also about how the band managed to move on after the accident, their new record label Abraxan Hymns, the artwork of Purple and the future plans of the band.

An excerpt below:

Metalpaths: Purple is your first record after the terrifying bus accident you had back in 2012. How difficult was for you as a band to move on and how did this situation inspire you on your latest album?

Baizley: “Well, it showed us that we have to move on. You know, if we are willing to do anything, we have to do it now and we have to do it when the mood is right and when the idea strikes, because life can be very short and we got a very immediate and very painful lesson in how quickly life can put away from you. So the only way to undo that accident is to enjoy and use the opportunity that we have immediately.”

Metalpaths: It grabbed my attention when I read a comment on Facebook by a fan who wrote that one of the faces of the cover reminded him Ron Weasley from Harry Potter and after observing again the cover I spotted that too! Did you really used Ron as a model for your artwork or is it just a random similarity?

Baizley: “No, no that’s unintentional completely! I worked with one model on this record and I did make certain operations to not make them look the same four times on the record but she is a model that I used and not a male actor from Harry Potter.”

Read more at Metalpaths.

Baroness are streaming “Morningstar”, the third new song previewing music from the band’s new album, Purple, out December 18th via Abraxan Hymns.

With the release a few days away, Baroness continues to share behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the ten-song album. The latest clip, titled “Tarbox Aliens” (Making Purple), focuses on the band’s decision to work with producer Dave Fridmann (The Flaming Lips, MGMT).

“We could have gone with a more obvious, heavy producer,” explained drummer Sebastian Thomson, “but that just seems kinda, a little bit boring.”  

John Baizley added, “Being that Baroness considers itself an artistic outlet, then we should try to approach each record as its own individual piece of art. He is a producer with a track record of unique records, and as I’ve said, very adventurous records, and that’s what I’ve come to expect out of this band and that’s what our audience has come to expect.”

Pre-order packages for Purple, which feature an instant download of “Chlorine & Wine” as well as a limited edition colored vinyl version of the new album, two picture discs, t-shirts and other unique items are available now at this location. Digital pre-orders, which also include an instant download of “Chlorine & Wine,” are available via iTunes, Amazon and Google Play.

Purple tracklisting:
 
“Morningstar”
“Shock Me”
“Try to Disappear”
“Kerosene”
“Fugue”
“Chlorine & Wine”
“The Iron Bell”
“Desperation Burns”
“If I Have To Wake Up (Would You Stop The Rain)”
“Crossroads Of Infinity”

“Shock Me”:

“Chlorine & Wine” video:
    

“Ultraviolet" (Making Purple):

Artwork time lapse video:

Baroness launched their first US tour in support of the ten-song album with a round of intimate performances on November 27th at the Ace Of Cups in Columbus, Ohio.

“We’ve been off tour for too long,” said John Baizley. “It’s time for Baroness to start playing shows in the US again. We’re doing a short run through the eastern half of the States, in small clubs, getting our new songs stage ready for 2016. Who knows, maybe we’ll even throw in a few songs from the very early EPs and albums. See you soon.”

The band have scheduled the following in-store performances:

December
19 - Manayunk, PA - Main Street Music
20 - Brooklyn, NY - Rough Trade

Dates for the band’s US tour are listed below:

December
15 - Chapel Hill, NC - Local 506
16 - Richmond, VA - Strange Matter
18 - Baltimore, MD - Metro Gallery
19 - Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda’s
20 - Brooklyn, NY - Saint Vitus Bar
 
(Photos - Jimmy Hubbard)