The Melvins have announced a new album, Tarantula Heart, and shared the video for “Working the Ditch” ahead of the LP’s April 19th release date.
Billed as one of the veteran band’s most eccentric records to date, Tarantula Heart sees King Buzzo and company in collaboration with Ministry drummer Ray Mayorga and We Are the Asteroid guitarist and longtime Melvins associate Gary Chester, supplementing the group’s core lineup.
As heard on “Working the Ditch,” the additional instrumentalists result in new musical textures and an expanded sound, featuring double-tracked drums — Mayorga and Dale Crover’s takes stacked and edited together — and Chester’s lead guitar, which creates a post-metal haze against Buzzo’s more brutal riffs and barked vocals.
“The way we approached Tarantula Heart was different than any other Melvins’ album,” explained King Buzzo, aka Buzz Osborne, via the album press release. “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!”
Added Crover on the drum production: “The majority of Tarantula Heart has dual drum parts. Roy is an amazing drummer. We would discuss what we would do pattern wise, then we’d just go for it. Improvising riffs and trading off on drum fills.”
Tarantula Heart was recorded, mixed and co-produced by longtime Melvins’ collaborator Toshi Kasai. Mackie Osborne created the artwork.
While the Melvins have yet to announce any US tour dates for 2024, King Buzzo will be heading out with Mr. Bungle’s Trevor Dunn for a run of Summer shows performing their acoustic album Gift of Sacrifice and more. You can get tickets to those gigs here.
Pre-order Tarantula Heart via Ipecac Recordings. Below you can stream the Jesse Nieminen-created video for “Working the Ditch” and see the LP art and tracklist.
Tarantula Heart Artwork:
Tarantula Heart Tracklist:
01. Pain Equals Funny
02. Working the Ditch
03. She’s Got Weird Arms
04. Allergic to Food
05. Smiler