Black Mountain shares a new video for the “70s-style dragon-trudge metal” (Stereogum) track ‘Licensed To Drive‘, from their new album, Destroyer, out now via Jagjaguwar / Rhythmethod.
The ‘Licensed To Drive’ video follows previously released singles ‘Boogie Lover’ and ‘Future Shade’. Directed by Zev Deans, the video is a blast down an 8-bit highway colliding with tougher than leather heavy metal barbarians, trash can drums, and a flame broiled 1976 GMC Sprint.
As described by Deans: “’Licensed to Drive’ is a deep dive into the soul of a late 1970s living room, an exploration of the deep psychedelic fantasy at the core of the birth of the video game.”
Destroyer oscillates along Stephen McBean & Jeremy Schmidt’s collaborative frequencies and features contributions from Rachel Fannan (Sleepy Sun), Arjan Miranda, Adam Bulgasem (Dommengang, Soft Kill), Kid Millions (Oneida) and John Congleton (St Vincent, Swans).
Collectively, there’s a renewed vitality to Black Mountain on Destroyer — a seasoned, veteran of heady hard rock that’s found new, young muscles to flex and roads to explore.
“Black Mountain have always been great at doing all the things that bongwater-gargling riff-monsters should be good at doing. They have titanic canyon-spanning hooks. They’ve got enough dynamic range to switch their style up a few times within the space of a single song…On Destroyer, all of that is in very clear evidence. It’s enough to fill up your soul.” – Stereogum
“[Destroyer] finds the Canadian outfit channelling the exhilarating, thrill-seeking spirit often associated with adolescence.” – Consequence of Sound
“If you’ve been missing the clean refreshing taste of Canada’s psych-rock darlings Black Mountain, the time is now to rejoice. Destroyer has arrived just in time to quench your summertime blues and transport you to their silver mothership in the sky.” – BeatRoute
Destroyer Track-by-Track by Stephen:
-
‘Future Shade’
The riff travelled around the world then hit the
bong with a chorus a year and a half later.
A last attempt at double frosting produced
a chorus on chorus death match.
Anxiety is the new heavy metal. -
‘Horns Arising’
Sometimes a riff gets stranded on a
deserted island. Sinoia Caves took
a cruise with a nylon string, Vocoder
and the Knight Rider boxset. -
‘Closer To The Edge’
Prequel or sequel? Playing with
danger can sometimes land you
in a hot tub with Rick Wakeman. -
‘High Rise’
Pawn shop Korg drum machine,
Loop on the mind and a journey
on the Budapest subway. -
‘Pretty Little Lazies’
Searching for Pretty Things while
chasing Brian May guitar tones
with Nicko McBrain. -
‘Boogie Lover’
Slaying hearts with riffs over poetry. -
‘Licensed To Drive’
Neu metal cut and paste.
Hit the toms for 10 bars. -
‘FD 72’
Half a song from 2005 cut up with
experiments to write something
really bad while shopping for
dollars store Bowie records.
