Lightning Bolt are one of the most forward-thinking, creative and uncompromising sonic forces in the world of rock today. Since 1993, Brian Chippendale and Brian Gibson have been throwing curveballs in the face of the music industry with their experimental approach to bass guitar-led noise rock. 2015 sees the release of their seventh full length album on Thrill Jockey Records, entitled Fantasy Empire.
An utterly spellbinding assault of the senses, Fantasy Empire sounds unmistakably like the band’s idiosyncratic brand of noise-thrash. Yet Lightning Bolt still manage to push the envelope of what we’ve come to expect from them, with ever-creative, dynamic songwriting, and the meaty production of this new LP for one is certainly a departure from their more lo-fi previous releases. Don’t get the impression the band have softened though – Lightning Bolt do not compromise or mess about. Want proof of this? Check out the frenetic, thrashy ‘The Metal East’, which opens the album, right here:
In support of Fantasy Empire, the duo will be making a whistle-stop tour of Europe for the first time since 2009 – their date at the Roundhouse in London is sure to be a sell out, so don’t waste any time and buy your tickets now! For the first time in their career they are actually utilising the stage to perform on, as opposed to thrashing about amidst the fans on the floor – something which was key to their identity and image. The question is, will this make or break their live shows? Find out for yourself – full dates are below.
Sat June 27th Antwerp, Belgium – Het Bos
Sun June 28th London, UK – Roundhouse *
Tue June 30th Paris, France – Le Trabendo
Wed July 1st Amsterdam, Netherlands – OCCII
Thu July 2nd Berlin, Germany – Berghain
Sat July 4th Keflavík, Iceland – Asbru (ATP Iceland)
* w/ GZA, Tortoise, Loop, Mugstar
