Loud Cities Magazine _Issue 3_03_2021

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Loud Cities Magazine / #3 MAR 2021
been at a level we’ve not seen in our
lifetime. 2020 has presented palpable
darkness on so many fronts. Between
the scourge of racism and lifestyle
intolerance, the bleak reality of the
pandemic, political tribalism, and the
deterioration of the environment, this
is like a new dark age. “Another Kind of
Midnight” seemed an appropriate title.
That said, we are optimistic for a better
future, worldwide.
As it relates to our past releases, “In
the Wicked Hours” had more of a tribal
and orchestral element, and we used
a lot more synth sequencing. This
album is a bit more stripped down, and
guitar-based. While doing demos I was
concerned that it was too disparate from
previous releases. Beth encouraged
me to go with whatever was naturally
coming to me, and not worry about
expanding on the sound, or alienating
our audience. If there’s a maturity in the
album, it’s to Beth’s credit. Her role in the
process is invaluable. We both share a
similar sensibility in balancing the tone
of the classics we grew up on with
a contemporary one, but ultimately
I trust her ear more than my own.
Can you give us the sonic atlas of the
10 “chapters” of the album?
Matthew: I will try to hit the touchstones
that I think are relevant to the album as
a whole. Again, sonically, the guitar is
decidedly a focus here. We chose “When
it Comes” as the single, and it happens
to be one of the more aggressive tracks
on the album. “World on Fire” is similar
and again speaks to the axis of conflict
between the environment and political
polarity. “A New Atonement” really
references some of our heroes like The
Danse Society and Samhain. Lyrically it
deals with a human view of sin and our
ideas of retribution, and if it can really
exist in a karmic universe. We used
piano on “Sacrosanct”, “Embraced” and
“Ban-Druidh [The White Witch]”, which
we always love to implement where we
can. All three (I’ll include “The Earthen
Call” here too) speak in different ways
about finding that path and person in
the world that helps you make sense of
your place in it. “If I am the Wrath” is a
bit of a barn-burner; very guitar-heavy.
I think it’s really about traversing a year
like we’ve had and trying to come out
sane, whole and possibly stronger on
the other end of it, but again, it’s open
to interpretation. “The Northern Cross”
is another favorite of mine. Sonically it’s
pretty immersive. I think it’s ultimately
about remaining attached to the things
that matter in life, like your relationships,
expression, and what you create, rather
than impermanent physical things.
Probably my personal favorite is “Tithes
& Offerings”. It’s very minimal, and
likely best voices the intent and theme
beneath the entire album, which we
will leave to the listener’s discretion.
The lyrics of the leading single “When
It Comes” troubled me as if I had the
scythe over my head. I somehow felt
that these lyrics were inspired by books
and libraries with thrills, on the other
hand, the cold vanity of death came
also across my mind. What troubles