The Melvins latest five-song, 39-minute opus, Tarantula Heart is quite possibly the band’s most unconventional and imaginative work yet, but also some of their catchiest, continuing a legacy celebrated for its eccentric and extraordinary output. Recorded, mixed and co-produced by longtime Melvins’ collaborator Toshi Kasai, the album features second drummer, Roy Mayorga (Ministry) and guitarist Gary Chester (We Are The Asteroid). Pre-orders are live at the links below. Watch the video for the first single “Working The Ditch” here!
Pre-order here:
https://themelvins.lnk.to/tarantula
“The way we approached Tarantula Heart was different than any other Melvins’ album,” explains Buzz Osborne. “I had Dale and Roy Mayorga come in and play along with Steven and I to some riffs, then I took those sessions and figured out what parts would work and wrote new music to fit. This isn’t a studio approach we’ve ever taken. Usually we have the songs written BEFORE we start recording!”
In actuality nothing appeared out of thin air. Buzz spent hours and hours with the drum tracks by himself writing songs to what he was hearing drum wise. “When the rest of the band heard these songs I’d created from the sessions, they were blown away,” Buzz shares. “These were fully developed new songs that they’d never heard before that had seemingly appeared out of thin air. Presto!”
Tarantula Heart is available on a trio of Vinyl variants (Black, Indie Exclusive Silver Streak and Ipecac Recordings’ 25th Anniversary Puke Green) and features a 12-page booklet by Mackie Osborne. And of course on CD and Digital.
The video for “Working The Ditch” was created by Jesse Nieminen
Next month sees the Melvins head overseas, playing in Japan for the first time since 2019 following a stint where they join current labelmates, Mr. Bungle, for a trek across Australia and New Zealand. Buzz and Bungle bass player Trevor Dunn team up later this year for the “King Dunn Tour,” a 45-date excursion that sees the pair play songs from the King Buzzo releases: This Machine Kills Artists and Gift of Sacrifice. The full list of dates can be found via Ipecac.com/tours.
Tarantula Heart track list:
Pain Equals Funny
Working the Ditch
She’s Got Weird Arms
Allergic to Food
Smiler
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