ANCESTORS Complete Work On New Album
August 6, 2009, 15 years ago
Los Angeles-based progressive rock / psychedelic doom metal collective ANCESTORS have completed work on their sophomore album, Of Sound Mind, due for release on October 6th via NYC’s Tee Pee Records.
According to a press release:
Formed in 2006, Ancestors create mighty, modern music that dovetails innovative arrangement, crushing primordial riff interplay and melodic instrumental passages with textural "metalgaze" atmospherics.
Recorded, mixed and mastered at Infrasonic Sound by Pete Lyman, Of Sound Mind is an 8-part, hour-long experience that is at once passionate, bold and challenging.
Described as “a journey through the past into the future,” the album showcases Ancestors’ ever-evolving musicianship and metrics, which have drawn comparison to NEUROSIS, HAWKWIND, KING CRIMSON, OM: and early BLACK SABBATH.
Of Sound Mind injects an intoxicating mien into the soul of hard rock and vintage metal and seethes with both analog warmth and astute atmosphere.
Essentially conceptual in nature, Of Sound Mind lyrically and thematically contemplates the quandaries of human psychology and its effect on and within the development of modern society. Without absolution or authority, the band's cathartic choruses and thought-provoking prose insight a “thought crusade” with meaningful intent.
The follow up to the group’s debut, Neptune With Fire, Of Sound Mind features contributions by notable Los Angeles artists David Scott Stone (MELVINS, UNWOUND, SLUG), Sera Timms (BLACK MATH HORSEMEN) and cellist Ramiro Zapata. With both thunderous roar and expansive communiqué, Ancestors are proving to be a quickly-emerging force of musical power and creativity.
A taste of what Of Sound Mind holds in store is available now as the brand new song 'The Ambrose Law' has been posted online at this location.
On the topic of the new album, Ancestors’ guitarist / vocalist Justin Maranga states, "The new record is definitely a leap forward in the evolution of the band. Although Of Sound Mind is more loosely conceptual than Neptune With Fire, the music is tighter than ever. We're truly proud of the album and eager to put it in the hands of the fans."
The band’s Chico Foley adds, "With much gratitude for all involved, we are excited to release our sophomore record, Of Sound Mind. The record, of which we are immensely proud of, attempts to parallel diversity in songwriting with lyrical premises: popular notions of human psychology - for an all round correlation of ideas."
Of Sound Mind tracklisting: 'From Nothing', 'Mother Animal', 'Not The Last Return', 'Bounty Of Age', 'A Friend', 'The Trial', 'Challenging', 'The Ambrose Law'.
Of Sound Mind’s cover art, created by LA-based artist Derek Albeck, can be seen on the left.
Ancestors features Justin Maranga - (Guitar, Vocals), Nick Long (Bass Guitar, Vocals), Brandon Pierce (Drums, Gong), Chico Foley (Electronics, Keys, and Vocals) and J. Christopher Watkins (Organ, Vocals).