The Pulp Fiction of Purple
After the successful of their Yellow and Green album, a masterpiece that produces a melodic, progressive sludge and more calmer version than their previous releases, Yellow & Green features 18 Track full of suprises that sprawled them into the hottest metal bands in the music Industry. Sadly, Bath Bus Accident occurred during their tour in England. It was their dance with death that they narrowedly escape, all members of the band survived the crashed but they were haunted by the mere glimpsed of death, Heartbreakingly Matt Maggioni(Bass) and Allen Blickle(Drums), fractured their vertebrae and ended up leaving band. During their recovery time, We’ve seen John and Pete struggled with their wounds and keep pressing on. John Dyer Baizley almost had his arm amputated but luckily he healed, and after that Baizley wrote a letter reaffirming his commitment on Baroness to thrive in their darkest hour. Eventually Pete and John went on tour with new band members Bassist Nick Jost, and Drummer Sebastian Thompson.
Purple is different than their other coloured themed album, Purple is more focused and powerful because of the emotional tense in each chords and riff was a deep cut wound that have been stitched, with bandage, tears and broken bones. Purple was a clean slate to start again, their accident was not Baroness demise into oblivion but a next step to utter greatness, to achieve boundaries and breakdown walls that were blocking their way. Purple was released on Abraxan Hymns, their recently formed label that features new member of the band Nick Jost and Sebastian Thompson, Produced by Baroness and Dave Fridmann(MGMT, The Flaming Lips and Tame Impala) on Tarbox Studios.
There was an energy in the band itself to return and not to go easily down like this, a sense of palpable momentum surrounds their inner spirit. “Chlorine & Wine” was their first track to show to the eager stoked Baroness fans across the globe. It was a shocking and erupting from top to bottom, a brief psychedelic, with a cry of joy of an army that victorious in battle against death. The Communal chorus resonating beneath their lungs, a triumphant centerpiece that was main the idea of Purple itself, an ache that bleeds and recovered greatly with each lyrics. “Morningstar” has that jagged leaning left and right prog-rock vibe written all around it, if you’re a fan of Mastodon riff trademarks be prepare to have them recycled and branded newly awesome to your ears. It was a combination between calm before the storm quote molded with a spark of fiery reign and bust on balls guitar solos that will bend your head in all of the directions, same goes for “Shock Me” a diluted face ripping riff that indulge John improvement in his vocals itself, staggeringly it goes ballistic in the middle, nobody could handle that much heat of guitar solos, not to mention Baroness drum patterns changed into more flow on system complete with snare-beating soundtrack.
Peaking into the highest altitude was “Try To Dissapear” a bombardment of guitar solos with a rejuvenated flat down engine that start in the Chorus of the song. Pete Adams airs in for that final blow that knocks your socks of your foot. On the way “Kerosene” reminds us that the Red Album vibe was not dead, It was merged entirely with Baroness new face of Purple. A Pulp beating extravaganza of Sludge Metal and Psychedelic intrusions that reminded me why I fell in love deeply with this band, In the middle of it all Kerosene was hostile ear on heavy music orgasm, Nick Basslines was thick and powerful head blower, deep and intense. “Desperation Burns” was one of my favorites, a nod and a bow to their fiery energy to push on and moves forward. A flame knitting saga of Purple, that was build on the face death itself, it brushed on to it and hold as tight as possible. Woozy and groovy beat of riff thrust and John vocals lingers on top of his neck. “If I Have To Wake Up(To Stop The Rain)” is a tonic of powerful vocal and melody, Baroness soars into their pinpoint to utter greatness gracefully. Deeply emotional and intense, it’s like one of those movies when the main character dies and leave something behind for you to remember in your most private moments. (Reinhart Jeremy, REVOIRREVOLVE)
