– November 9th, 2022 –
Stream New Lyric Video “Watcher of the Seas”
“Music is magic, and Spell is a spell. Fundamentally, it is a forum to make our dreams come true” – Spell bassist/guitarist/vocalist Cam Mesmer
Fantastical heavy metal band Spell released its new LP, ‘Tragic Magic‘, on October 28 via Bad Omen Records. Featuring ten tracks of prime, progressive heavy music flooded with mesmerizing atmospheres, ‘Tragic Magic‘ sees Spell take a decidedly grittier lyrical approach, leaning less into escapism, while confronting real life challenges of modern times. Striking cover art (Frenzy of Exultations by Wladyslaw PodkowiÅski, 1863) featuring an angelic woman riding a frenetic horse, portends the palpable potency that the record promises. Purchase ‘Tragic Magic‘ at: spellofficial.bandcamp.com
In celebration of the release of ‘Tragic Magic‘, Spell drops a lyric video for the new track “Watcher of the Seas”, filmed by Cam Mesmer and Skayu Louis and edited by Vince Edwards. Check out ‘Watcher of the Seas” at: youtu.be/x_YFUiuyXao
‘Tragic Magic‘ is the highly-anticipated follow up to Spell‘s critically-acclaimed 2020 LP, ‘Opulent Decay‘, a record hailed as “fantasy rock” by Blabbermouth, “enchanting” by Heavy Blog is Heavy, and “captivating” by Revolver. The record’s songcraft is steeped in the atmosphere of the arcane, yet the hooks are more razor-sharp than ever. While influences like the esoteric charge of the aforementioned Blue Ãyster Cult and the elemental expansions of Camel drift through these crepuscular melodies, Spell are as likely to be influenced by the life-affirming energy of ’60s Motown, the ethereal dimensions of Cocteau Twins, the strident woe of Candlemass, and the classic songwriting chops of Russ Ballard.
“The themes on this album are more concrete, guided by personal experience,” offers Mesmer. “Tragic Magic’ has to do with mental illness, ageing, the death of a loved one, the decay of time… this is what ‘tragic magic’ means to us – loss and tragedy outside of our control, which fundamentally alters our perceived reality. This album is our response to the world as it currently is: music for an ascetic age. The identity of Spell came into sharp focus as it was always intended to be.“
Spell is also streaming a video for its new track, “Fever Dream”, an enticing earworm that fuses darkwave and prog-psych in hypnotizing fashion while exploring the realms of “nightmares and sleep paralysis“. The video premiered via Decibel, who says, “The track takes elements of prog, psych, darkwave, and classic rock and fuses it into something beautiful and despairing.” Stream “Fever Dream”, directed by Scotti Gibson, with cinematography by Kyle Samuels, makeup effects by Caitlin Rose Delaplace, and editing by Vince Edwards, at: youtu.be/gq2NQaVJpnE
“Fever Dream” comes directly from the most evil and frightening moments I’ve experienced in the depths of illness and sleep,” offers Spell vocalist/guitarist Cam Mesmer. “These things may not make sense in the light of day, but once they take hold you have no choice but to follow their twisted path. Deep within nightmares and sleep paralysis, I have conflicting desires: first the urge to shake myself and escape, but also a second, deeper instinct – to give in to the feeling and allow it to conquer me completely to see where it will take me. This song represents your darkest subconscious, urging you to allow that evil inside of yourself and give it the agency to take you somewhere new, somewhere unholy. Now go back to sleep…“
Track listing:
01. Fatal Breath
02. Ultraviolet (watch VIDEO)
03. Hades Embrace
04. Fever Dream (watch VIDEO)
05. Sarcophagus
06. Cruel Optimism
07. A Ruined Garden
08. Souls in Chains
09. Watcher of the Seas (watch VIDEO)
10. The Watching
Spell has also unveiled a video for the LP’s radiating first single “Ultraviolet”. Created by Sean Edwards for Ramble Films (Freeways), the eye-catching clip showcases Spell at the height of its powers. Stream Spell‘s “Ultraviolet” video at: youtu.be/eh-b4JtBjQM
“Ultraviolet” explores the hidden terror of forces that rule us but cannot be perceived or understood,” says Spell vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Cam Mesmer. “Our world is shaped by powers that the limitations of our physical bodies prevent us from directly encountering. Will we fall victim to the lust for that which cannot be ours, or harness them to fulfill our wildest dreams?“
“If this band was a van, they would be the raddest, most pimped out airbrushed 70′s van with plush interior and a BOOMING system. SPELL is a perfect name for them, because their songs are jamming heavy metal magic.” – Cvlt Nation
“If you like your throwback metal loaded with 70s occult magic, this may cast a spell over you.” – Angry Metal Guy
“psychedelic space rock exploration steeped in sludge and fuzz. Tipping their caps to a range of classic hard rock influences like Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, Blue Oyster Cult, Rush and even old-school Mercyful Fate, Spell captures a dreary, overcast and lo-fi vibe” – Exclaim!
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