Black Steeple Church, by Colouratura

Black Steeple Church

by Colouratura

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Dr. "Buzz" Frenzy (Matthew J Hesse) thumbnail

Dr. "Buzz" Frenzy (Matthew J Hesse) At first blush this is darker than I normally gravitate to, yet I quickly found it not only compelling, but, ultimately (and strangely satisfyingly) very relatable. Hard/metal moments here never feel gratuitous, they serve each song's context. And the more melodic passages provide ample relief, creating a sort of enforced fugue state for contemplative balance. Like some of my favorite heavy bands from the classic era (Iron Butterfly, Cream) there is both sludge and beauty to be had here. 🤘🪨 Favorite track: Heavenly Dancer.

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Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album
Packaged in an eco-friendly gatefold featuring graphic design work by Eric Kearns and photography by Ian Beabout.

Includes unlimited streaming of Black Steeple Church via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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Streaming + Download

Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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1.	Black Steeple Church 05:46	info	buy track
2.	Blackheart 05:31	info	buy track
3.	Crash Dirt, Bone Dust 04:33	info	buy track
4.	Shepherd's Throne 08:23	info	buy track
5.	Headsplitter 13:52	info	buy track
6.	Heavenly Dancer 05:19	info	buy track
7.	Icarus 05:55	info	buy track
8.	There's Something in my Basement 06:51	info	buy track
9.	Vesuvian Tidepools 2020 (digital only) 04:27	info	buy track

about

ABOUT THIS ALBUM

What would a new Colouratura album in 2021 sound like ?

This is the question we faced when we decided to complete the songs recorded shortly before our hiatus in 2018, and return to the concepts and see them to fruition.

Colouratura needed a roots album. For most, this is their debut, but for us - we weren’t so sure. So in order to reach the purest vision possible, to find our roots, we decided to approach this new work by challenging ourselves with new techniques and compositional strategies.

When we began work in late 2020, we had about 3 songs. The title track was a holdover from our second record, ‘Unfamiliar Skies,’ recorded during the sessions that produced “Keruoac.” There was also a demo jam recorded Spring of 2018 entitled “There’s Something in my Basement,” which I decided to reedit and recontextualized into a new song. This was the beginning of a long process into discovering our ‘roots.’

“CrashDirt Bone Dust” appeared in late 20, edited from a guitar improvisation and later significantly overdubbed and overhauled with lyrics and other eyebrows. This seemed to be the way to proceed. By finding what we were capable of in unusual circumstances, when we were faced with composing on the spot and with little forethought. This was the path to finding out who we really are.

A few songs were indeed written in the conventional sense. “Blackheart” and “Heavenly Dancer” most notably. Others were drawn from themes that were brought to the studio in an improvisational sense and worked out. These include “Shepherd’s Throne,” a song which started out as three chords in a different key with a different set of words, that was completely transformed via solo acoustic guitar improvisation into a prog rock epic. Also “Headsplitter” and “Icarus,” two songs that emerged from a group improvisation exercise involving our friend Dave Trik of Brimstone Coven and Gossamer.

With the third Colouratura, you have a transformation, a rebirth and a true roots album.

Ian Beabout

credits

released December 3, 2021

ALL SONGS BY COLOURATURA

COLOURATURA ARE

Nathan James: bass, vocals, lyrics, drum programming (6), synths (6), arrangements
Ian Beabout: production, editing, arrangements, flute (4), drum programming (8)
Derek Pavlic: guitars, arrangements, viola (2,4), keyboard (3), microKorg vocoder (7), drum programming (8)

With special guests
Brandon Collins: drums (1)
Derek Ferguson: electronic drums (2,4)
Dave Trik: drums (5,7)
Paul Sears: drums (8)
Chris Boros: mellotron (4)
Jacopo Muneratti: narration (2)

RECORDED AT VARIOUS HOME STUDIOS (2018-2021) including ShedSounds WV, Evening Star Productions PA, Nonpareil Studios IL, and Garage Mahal AZ.

Produced by Colouratura
edited, assembled, mixed and lovingly mastered by Ian Beabout at ShedSounds Studio
Cover and inner sleeve photos: Ian Beabout
Back cover concept: Derek Pavlic
Graphic design and layout by Eric Kearns

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about

Colouratura Steubenville, Ohio

Colouratura are an art rock trio from the Ohio Valley.

The new album, "WTF Was That?!" is slated for release on October 23, 2023 on Melodic Revolution Records.

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