The American border: where lost highways stretch in darkness and untouched deserts speak a language as disturbing as it is from another world. This is the painting from Spiritworld. Self-described as “Death Western,” Spiritworld is the aural vision of Stu Folsom, a Las Vegas native who took the intensity of that desert heat and gave him a voice on the band’s debut album, “Pagan Rhythms “, for their new label. , Century Media.
To celebrate this new partnership, Spiritworld has released a brand new video for the song “Comancheria”, which perfectly underscores the artistic statement of Stu Folsom’s music. Watch the video below.
It was this purity of Folsom’s vision that immediately earned Spiritworld international praise for Pagan Rhythms’ 2020 limited self-release through Safe Inside Records. The likes of Exodus / Slayer guitarist Gary Holt and former Sepultura / current Soulfly frontman Max Cavalera have praised the album on social media.
Unsurprisingly, Spiritworld quickly caught the attention of Century Media who caught Stu’s vision and quickly inked the group. Century Media Vice President A&R Mike Gitter says, “Spiritworld is building a world of sound in the most daring way. It’s a vision of the American West as somewhere south of Heaven, with equal parts Slayer, Louis Lamour, and Sam Peckinpah – full of dust, dirt and blood. “
Designed entirely by Folsom and produced by Sam Pura (The Story So Far, Self Defense Family), songs like “Comancheria” or the blast-beat “Unholy Passages”, courtesy of drummer Thomas Pridgen (The Mars Volta / Trash Talk) which plays on half of the album, with former Apiary skinsman Adam Elliot playing on the other.
“It’s about trying to write songs that kill and create a classic record,” says Stu, whose love for George Jones or the legendary LA X punk band runs as deep as his metallic roots. “With ‘Pagan Rhythms’ I decided to distill my love of thrash, old school death metal and hardcore into something new that would hit like a tomahawk in the face. When I started talking about this idea folks i had to fuse western imagery, horror fiction and heavy metal into a total sound assault, it sounded ridiculous but i really believe if you make good records people are much more willing to embrace your strangeness and come take the tour. “
The debut album, Pagan Rhythms, will be re-released on November 5 via Century Media Records and is now available (physically) for the first time outside of North America.
The album is available to stream on the platform of your choice and is available in the following formats for Pre-order:
– Ltd. 180g black LP + Art Print (with alternative sleeve) – this format is only available for the 1st pressing.
– Ltd. Red apple edition LP + Art Print (with alternative sleeve) – this format is only available for the 1st pressing. Expected to ship in spring 2022.
– Ltd. CD Digipak
– Digital album
List of tracks:
“Pagan rhythms”
“The bearer of light”
“Unholy passages”
“The terrors of a night”
“The Demonic Storm”
“Armageddon Honkytonk & Saloon”
“Impious”
“Comancheria”
“Human Ritual Sacrifice”
Video “Comancheria”:
The spirit world is:
Stu Folsom – Voice
Matt Schrum – Guitar
Randy Moore – Guitar
Justin Fornof – Bass
Nick Brundy – Noise
Preston Harper – Drums
Pagan Rhythms offers additional musicians:
Thomas Pridgen – Drums
Adam Elliot – Drums
Sam Pura – Guitar / Bass / Vocals
Ben Verhoek – Choirs
Reif Barlow – Backup Voice
(Photo – Sean Jorg)
