Black Tusk to perform new music at Congress Street Social Club
Savannah’s music aficionados are gearing up for a seismic event in the city’s vibrant music scene as homegrown guitar heroes Black Tusk prepare to drop their highly anticipated album, The Way Forward, on April 26. The band will mark the momentous occasion with a free live performance on the same day at 8 p.m., at Congress Street Social Club, 411 W. Congress St. The event promises an evening full of energy and unapologetic Southern sludge metal.
Recorded in Rincon, Georgia, at Hidden Audio, The Way Forward emerges as a testament to the band’s unyielding spirit. Andrew Fidler grounds the lineup on guitar and vocals with James May on drums, Chris “Scary” Adams on guitar, and Derek Lynch on the bass and synths. Each member brings his own distinct flair and passion to the mix, creating a fusion of sound that captures the essence of Savannah’s eclectic musical landscape. Produced and mixed by Adams, the album was polished to perfection by mastering engineer Brad Boatright of Audiosiege. It serves as a record of the band’s personal journey and evolution.
‘There is no AI or electronic drums that can create the sound we humans make’
“For the first time in years, we were able to take our time to create an album,” said Fiddler. “Many of our albums were recorded in a few days. But this time, we had time to experiment with sound and collectively make decisions and know in which direction we were
heading, and with which sounds we wanted to experiment with. A real democracy where riffs and lyrics that were created as a band and not a dictatorship, it was a real group effort. Not that we overanalyzed each thing, but we were able to take a step back and say, ‘yeah, this is great let’s roll with it.’”
Known for their rough-and-rowdy ethos, Black Tusk does not hold back on The Way Forward with tracks such as “Brushfire ” with a mean foot-stomping riff. As the album unfolds, “Dance on Your Grave” with its gang vocals adds to the primal energy, promising to ignite mosh pits everywhere, while “Breath of Life” delivers a rallying cry, propelled by May’s thunderous drums that echoes like a gathering storm.
“There is no AI or electronic drums that can create the sound we humans make, because we play with emotion. Not with notes based on math, you know, program music,” said May. “And there is nothing wrong with that for certain types of music, but I have always liked to hear when there is a human person doing it. You can hear their personality, or you can hear their style, at times their soul.”
This special event not only celebrates the release of The Way Forward but also introduces fans to Black Tusk’s new four-piece lineup, promising a fresh chapter in the band’s already storied history.
Fiddler said the new album reflects a kinship among the band members even as it posseses a fresh perspective with the contributions of its youngest members. “The introduction on this recording of both Derek and Scary takes us into unfamiliar yet familiar territory. While holding onto the traditional Black Tusk sound there is newness. But their contributions have created a new way for us to move forward. Get it?”
Joining in on the album release concert are special guests Bronco and fellow Savannahians the Maxines, ensuring a night of non-stop energy. With nearly two decades under their belt, Black Tusk shows no signs of slowing down. If anything, their latest album proves that they are hitting the gas pedal harder than ever before, revving up for a ride as exhilarating as it is relentless. As the release date draws near, fans can only hold on tight and prepare for a sonic ride. Savannah’s metal stalwarts are back, and they are ready to make their mark.