BTBAM PREPARE FOR “CRAZY RIDE”
“We’re still pushing ourselves,” says vocalist Tommy Rogers of the upcoming album.
Between The Buried And Me have confirmed that their forthcoming album will be their longest yet. The as-yetuntitled release, slated for arrival later this year, will be the follow-up to 2018’s twin LPs Automata I and II and their 10th full-length studio title overall.
“We need to prove to the world that we’re still here and we’re still writing as well – or even better – than we ever have,” says vocalist and keyboardist Tommy Rogers.
The album follows a year of writing, with Rogers admitting that the pandemic afforded the band more time to focus on the creative process.“We actually had way more material for this album than we ended up using.”
He adds: “We tapped into some of our earlier influences as well as doing things we’ve never done before, which is always kind of a goal of ours when we write new music. We still surprise ourselves after all these years. We’re still pushing ourselves to try new things as well.”
Fans can rest assured that the earlier influences he mentions will include a return to BTBAM’s heavier side.“It’s tough to describe our albums in terms of a genre but there are definitely moments that are some of the heaviest stuff we’ve done in a while,” he divulges.
“There’s a lot of aggression. I hate to be cheesy and say that the year rubbed off on us, but I think it did, and it comes through in the music for sure.” He warns that listeners should “be prepared for anything,” adding that BTBAM “definitely didn’t go soft rock on anyone.”
While keeping track titles and other specifics close to his chest, Rogers is also vague about whether the new record is a concept album. “It is and it isn’t,” he says cryptically. “I tried to write more on the spot on this record. I didn’t want to create a big story like I did on the last few records.”
The band relied on established relationships on the studio project, recording with long-term collaborator Jamie King, while mixing is currently being completed by Jens Bogren, who’s been working with them since 2015’s Coma Ecliptic.
While they remain in discussions with Sumerian Records over a release date, they hope it will coincide with a tour later this year.
In the meantime, Rogers offers two more hints about what to expect, saying: “It’s a crazy wild ride and it’s the longest album we’ve ever done.” HW
“I didn’t want to create a big story like I did on the last few records.”