NEWS: Bear “Witness” To The BLACK ABSINTHE new music video

Toronto’s BLACK ABSINTHE are ready for fans to bear “Witness“ to their new music video for their latest single released earlier this November. The video for the single “Witness“ was shot at Toronto heavy metal venue Coalition T.O just months before its unfortunate closure. The venue itself holds a very dear spot in the metal hearts of the band as they lived and performed just steps away from it for the last four years, meeting local and touring bands along with rocking out their own relentless run of shows.

Trusting Katherine Kwan, “The Wild” (2017) director to encapsulate the energy felt in the band’s live performances. The video begins with a glimpse into what a night at their local and beloved punk/metal Kensington Market venue was like. From the bright pit footage to the intoxicating strobe saturated drum breakdown – the single is represented in the best and most chaotic way possible.

“The insanity of the front row has been the proving grounds of Black Absinthe’s sound, and the foreground to this video.” The band adds. “Live shows took the placeholder for releasing music over the past three years, and the energy in this video is how you will always find us live. We want this video to transcend people who have been there while offering a snapshot of underground metal venues found across the globe.” adds the band.

BLACK ABSINTHE‘s new single “Witness” was recorded in the backwoods of Lac-des-Loups, QC at Wolf Lake Studios with producer Alexander Galley (Loviatar, Dissentient, Martyrs). Representing a new generation of heavy music producers, Galley’s enthusiasm, knowledge, and openness confirmed he would bring a cutting edge sensibility to the band’s recording of the track. A forward-thinking producer with an ear to the ground of the emerging sounds of heavy music, his direction for guitar and bass tone for the song was a vision all his own. Reminiscent of the classic metal philosophy and in an intense ten-hour blitz, BLACK ABSINTHE went into the studio knowing they wanted to record the song in its entirety and bask in the completed performance. Equipped with an Ayotte house-kit in the studio, Austin Henderson laid down drum tracks to set the foundation of the track for the session. Following, bassist Kyle Scarlett and guitarist Jack Cerre both tuned up and recorded with their stage Fenders. Housing exceptional gear, BLACK ABSINTHE utilized the studio’s Kemper Profiler and boutique bass gear (Darkglass Electronics).

Guitarist and lead vocalist Jack Cerre says:

“All in all the experience was exhilarating, especially under pressure, our preparation paid off because the recording captures a true performance and urgency.” 

“Witness“ follows BLACK ABSINTHE‘s 2016 breakout album “Early Signs of Denial” that was produced by Dave Baksh (Sum 41, Black Cat Attack). The album garnered praise from respectable outlets such as Bravewords “The record has emphasis of crushing modern tone, polished instrumental sections, soaring vocals and a blending of contemporary and classic metal.” and Blabbermouth “BLACK ABSINTHE does quite a bit within each of their songs, wrangling together bits of metal theories from yesteryear and today. Classic metal, power metal, death metal, thrash, it’s all dosed out like party pills for headbangers.”  along with topping the Canadian College Radio National Loud Charts at #7 for July 2016 (Earshot).

“Witness“ is available on Spotify, Bandcamp and Apple Music.

Show Dates:
Dec 6 – Montreal, QC – Piranha Bar

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Spotify | Bandcamp | Apple Music

EPK

About The Band:

Formed in the underground dungeons and dives of Toronto’s metal scene, Black Absinthe is a Canadian modern heavy metal band consisting of Jack Cerre (guitar, vocals), Kyle Scarlett (bass), and Austin Henderson (drums). A mix of thrashing mosh pits and riff heavy anthems, their growing presence in the diverse heavy music scene, unifies classic metal grandeur, speed-demon rhythm sections, soaring solos, with modern technicality.

Since 2011, Black Absinthe has performed, recorded, and brought the party all over Canada. Over the course of three EP’s & one LP, Early Signs of Denial, Black Absinthe has continued to grow and experiment on its NWOBHM influences while maintaining the genres intensity. As they continue to expand their setlists in 2019 and tour in both new and familiar places, the band is set to release their latest studio recording, Witness, a riff-strong single inspired by the band’s energetic live stage performances. With plenty of live material to work with in the studio, the band shows no signs of slowing down and plan to release more material in the coming year.

To celebrate their release, Black Absinthe is set to perform November 14th at Bovine Sex Club (during Indie Week 2019 ) and on December 6th in Montreal, Quebec. The band is set to release their music video for the single on November 22, 2019.

The Song:

With many iterations played live on stage prior to the final recording, Witness began with a killer riff and head-strong idea of how the band wanted to approach the single. Taking influence from their most warranted recordings from Early Signs of Denial (2016), the band created “a hook representative of our technical influence, while building on our desire for a catchy chorus.” Taking strong cues from their fans at live shows, Black Absinthe developed the instrumental section specifically to free up movement on stage. The improvements in the bridge instrumentation and solo sections is indicative of the direction to be expected of Black Absinthes future recordings.

The song’s musical energy all starts from the riff. Short hits bouncing back and forth build up to the full paced release of each verse working as a headbanging cue for the crowd. The buildup hints at the large breakdown of the song, a bare bones drum breakdown to lock band and audience together before the solo takes off.The influence of classic metal great Tony Iommi is heard in the flurry of notes asserting the solo, a sweep picking lick slices the fretboard, and a wash of wah pedal returns the tidal wave back to a crashing chorus refrain.

The main riff puts a book end on the song, its emotional impact varies in the context of the composition, Witness moves through phases of life. Lyrically the song is born into the cycle of suffering, rebirth of inescapable fire. In life, we’re able to see the impact of our actions and the repercussions of generations before, in the song, we reflect on the weight of the world.

The Recording:

In keeping active in the Toronto music scene and industry, Black Absinthe has made strong connections along the way. Meeting Dave Baksh (Sum 41, Black Cat Attack) during a residency at Coalition Music’s Artist Entrepreneur Program lead to the creation of Early Signs of Denial and similarly, a meeting during Canadian Music Week 2018 lead to Producer Alexander Galley (Loviatar, Dissentient, Martyrs) and Black Absinthe guitarist Jack Cerre solidifying a true musical connection and partnership for the band’s next recording.

Recorded in the woods of Quebec, Canada at Wolf Lake Studios, noted for Longhouse’s Juno-nominated Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year in 2018 album “II: Vanishing”, the band entrusted Galley with shaping the sonic landscape. Representing a new generation of heavy music producers, Galley’s enthusiasm, knowledge, and openness confirmed he would bring a cutting edge sensibility to the band’s recording of Witness. A forward thinking producer with an ear to the ground of the emerging sounds of heavy music, his direction for guitar and bass tone for the song was a vision all his own. Reminiscent of the classic metal philosophy and in an intense ten hour blitz, Black Absinthe went into the studio knowing they wanted to record the track in its entirety and bask in the completed performance. Guitarist and lead vocalist Jack comments, “all in all the experience was exhilarating, especially under pressure, our preparation paid off because the recording captures a true performance and urgency.”

Equipped with an Ayotte house-kit in the studio, Austin Henderson laid down drum tracks to set the foundation of the track for the session. Following, bassist Kyle Scarlett and guitarist Jack Cerre both tuned up and recorded with their stage Fenders. Housing exceptional gear, Black Absinthe utilized the studio’s Kemper Profiler and boutique bass gear (Darkglass Electronics).

The Video:

Black Absinthe’s newest video for Witness was shot at Toronto heavy metal venue Coalition T.O just months before its closure. Witness to a time and place, the band lived and performed just steps from the venue for the last four years, meeting bands and rocking a relentless run of shows and festivals.

The insanity of the front row has been the proving grounds of Black Absinthe’s sound, and the foreground to this video. Live shows took the placeholder for releasing music over the past three years, and the energy in this video is where you will find Black Absinthe today. The video aims to transcend people who have been there, while offering a snapshot of underground Metal venues found across the globe.

Trusting Katherine Kwan,“The Wild” (2017) director, was a no-brainer to encapsulate the energy felt in the bands live performances.The video begins with a glimpse into what a night at our local and beloved punk/metal Kensington Market venue, was like. From the bright pit footage to the intoxicating strobe saturated drum breakdown – the single is represented in the best and most chaotic way possible.

The band is set to release their music video  on November 22, 2019. The single was released November 8th, 2019 and recorded at Wolf Lake Studios.