29 September 2023 - 0 Comments

Wellington’s formidable musical powerhouse, Beastwars, presents the intimate We Light Fire (originally performed by Julia Deans) as the fifth single from their upcoming album, Tyranny of Distance. The album is scheduled for release on Friday, October 13, through Destroy Records / Universal.

Listen to We Light Fire (Originally performed by Julia Deans) here

We Light Fire originally found its home on Julia Deans' 2018 album, sharing the same name. Drummer Nathan (Nato) Hickey of Beastwars shares his thoughts on the track, which has undergone the full Beastwars treatment, saying, “When I first started hanging out in Wellington as a teenager, it felt like there were genuine rockstars in my midst. Acts like Shihad, Head Like a Hole, and Weta were prominent, but there was also Julia Deans from Fur Patrol, who rocked as hard as any of those guys. I've always loved her voice so when we were selecting songs for this album, I aimed to both recognize that era and pay homage to her. We Light Fire makes me imagine the soundtrack to a witches' circle - dancing around the flame”

Tyranny of Distance - out Friday, October 13 - is a collection of songs sharing the common themes of despair, loneliness and existential frustration, plus a song recounting the story of an illicit drug-fueled party, albeit with a twist. Tyranny of Distance is also a covers album spanning 40 years' of New Zealand music. The Gordons, Superette, Snapper, Marlon Williams, Children's Hour, Nadia Reid, Julia Deans and The 3Ds all have their songs contorted and distorted, riffs extracted and mutated. These are powerful songs in their own right, but Tyranny of Distance gives them fiery new life to become something distinctly "Beastwars".

Pre-order Tyranny of Distance HERE

The seed of Tyranny of Distance was first planted a few years back when Beastwars singer Matthew Hyde said that he loved the song Dark Child by Marlon Williams and wanted to cover it. The band didn't pursue this idea until 2022, when they were asked to contribute a song to a Soundgarden tribute album for an American label. Beastwars was on hiatus then and hadn’t been in the same room or played music together for over a year. Individually each band member was going through tough times, and the idea of finding the energy to create new original music together was unfathomable.

But the band quickly realised that playing music together was healing, cathartic and most important of all - fun. So the idea of covering Marlon Williams was resurrected and embellished, kicking off the formidable process of shortlisting songs, tracking down artists for their blessing, learning the inspiration behind the songs and, in one case, a hard-fought quest to uncover long-lost lyrics that were indecipherable on the original recording.

Panhead Custom Ales - known for their love of rock music, custom car culture, and long-standing history of supporting Beastwars - were pitched a simple idea "would you pay for the band to record some hot-rodded New Zealand songs?" The answer is Tyranny of Distance.

The recording process took place over nine months. It was overseen by Beastwars drummer Nathan Hickey and longtime collaborator James Goldsmith, who co-produced the previous two Beastwars albums with the final heftiness added by mastering engineer Will Borza (Deftones, ZZ Top).

Christian Pearce, who also plays in Beastwars side projects End Boss and Putrid Future, will join the band on guitar duties while original member Clayton Anderson takes a break from live performances.

Obey the Riff, Long Live the Beast.

Beastwars are taking Tyranny of Distance on the road this October/November with seven dates across Aotearoa.

Supported by the 5-piece Polynesian Metal Band from South Auckland, Shepherds Reign in Whanganui and New Plymouth. In Hamilton, progressive metal band Tusk will join Beastwars. Pōneke sci-fi psych-rock duo Ripship is on the Auckland and Wellington bills and Dunedin-based "Doom Pop" Night Lunch in Lyttelton and Dunedin.

BEASTWARS Tyranny of Distance Album Release Tour:

Friday 13th October: The Musicians Club, Whanganui
Saturday 14th October: Zeal/The Mayfair, New Plymouth
Thursday 26th October: Last Place, Hamilton
Friday 27th October: Galatos, Auckland
Saturday 28th October: San Fran, Wellington
Friday 3rd November: The Loons, Lyttleton
Saturday 4th November: Dive, Dunedin

Tickets on sale now from www.beastwarsband.com

Photo Credit: David James

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