Clutch have officially announced their 14th studio album, ‘Wasted Lands’, while simultaneously unveiling a music video for the record’s title track.
The new album is set for release on January 27th through the band’s own Weathermaker Music and marks another collaboration with producer Machine, who previously worked with Clutch on fan-favorite records including ‘Blast Tyrant’, ‘Earth Rocker’ and ‘Psychic Warfare’.
The album’s title track is out now alongside a new music video, with vocalist/guitarist Neil Fallon revealing that the song’s lyrics were inspired by an unusual case of mistaken identity.
“The inspiration for the lyrics in Wasted Lands came about when it was brought to my attention that someone had been dragging my name on FaceBook (weird, right?). Apparently, I had reneged on a free t-shirt and dinner. I think it was a prize in a pay to play contest.”
According to Fallon, the person had apparently been deceived by someone pretending to be him. Despite others attempting to explain the situation, the individual remained convinced that Fallon himself was responsible.
“Many people tried to explain to this person that it was not me and that they had been hustled. But they simply would not believe it. So I thought, screw it, no half-measures. You want a monster? Let’s give you one.”
Drummer Jean-Paul Gaster also recalled an interesting moment from the recording of the song involving a bass drum part that initially drew some concern from Machine.
During the section where Fallon sings about “man or beast,” Gaster added a kick drum hit directly beneath the lyric. While the producer initially felt the drum was interfering with the vocal, Gaster was confident the combination would translate particularly well in a live setting.
“No, that bass drum is gonna make the crowd go nuts, I guarantee it. And it does, because there’s nothing more exciting than having a big bass drum slam through a PA, and Neil singing a vocal on top of it.”
‘Wasted Lands’ will also mark the first time banjo has appeared on a Clutch album. The instrument can be heard on “Beware The Fever,” with a rough demo recording by Fallon ultimately being selected over later attempts to recreate the part.
Clutch also offered a colorful description of the ideas and creative detours that helped shape the new record.
“Exploded monuments, haunted coal towns, robber barons, time cops, a chestburster, fifteen tons of antimatter and a creature called Neil Patrick Fallon.”
The band added that ‘Wasted Lands’ was created with a straightforward goal: to make a rock record that would translate into an energetic live experience while leaving enough room for the unexpected ideas that have kept Clutch creatively engaged throughout their career.
The album’s 12-song track listing is as follows:
- “The Drifter Returns”
- “Stage Fright”
- “Loaf ‘N Jug”
- “High Class Action Lawsuit”
- “Chestburster”
- “Beware The Fever”
- “Wound Collector”
- “Colorado Fuel And Iron”
- “Streets Are His”
- “The Green Skull”
- “Wasted Lands”
- “The Message Is Clear”
Pre-orders for ‘Wasted Lands’ are available through the band’s official merchandise store.
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