The Melvins have announced a new album, Tarantula Heart, which — in addition to the band's long-running trio of Buzz Osborne, Dale Crover and Steven McDonald — features contributions from veteran metal drummer Roy Mayorga (Ministry, Stone Sour, Soulfly). The news comes along with the LP's lead single, "Working the Ditch," a gnarly, six-and-a-half noise-sludge death march.
The song arrived accompanied by an unnerving music video directed by Jesse Nieminen, who previously directed the Melvins' short film, A Walk With Love and Death. Watch and listen above.
"The way we approached Tarantula Heart was different than any other Melvins' album," Osborne commented. "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!"
Crover added: "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."
In addition to Mayorga, Tarantula Heart also features We Are the Asteroid guitar player Gary Chester. The album is due out April 19th via Ipecac Recordings.
