Recorded and mixed by Graeme Watt at Seagate Studios in Dundee, “Held In Merciful Light” by CLEARER THE SKY comprises nine tracks of razor sharp cathartic emotional post hardcore that blends hunderous post-rock, guitar pyrotechnics and skyscraping melodies with no fear of rocking out. The record is being released on limited edition yellow vinyl and is a collaborative effort between Make-That- A-Take Records, Rage, Crust Baby Records, Rubaiyat Records and WOLF TOWN DIY. The album will also be released on tape by Coercion Cassettes. IDIOTEQ is proud to give you the full stream of the record below!
“Held In Merciful Light” resonates because it’s so deeply felt and passionate. Shades of the 90s/00s post hardcore and emo aesthetic remain, but the influence really is more of a feeling than a sound that creater a much broader experience. CLEARER THE SKY managed to create a spiritually rich listen, remarkably precise in how it plays with dynamics and various layers. Listen below and tell us what you think in the comments below.
The band commented:
In short – Held in Merciful Light is about dealing with loneliness. For a lengthier insight into the ideas behind the album, the best place to start is the cover art. This image attempts to portray an idea that we are all in a way born from a brilliant light – supernova – and despite the isolating, despairing reality that we often face contained within our mortal bodies – existence is a vast and wondrous thing that we all share.
In our lonelier moments, it’s easy to be consumed by darkness, frustration and woe. This album explores how we tackle that, looking inward as well as out – favouring the light, understanding and hope we find within ourselves and discovering it in others.
Our experience of anything as humans is a very subjective thing, which the album also reflects on. Which is ultimately why it’s best that people listen, read the lyrics, take in the artwork and interpret it in their own way.
Musically it follows the same path we’ve been treading for the past 10 years as a band – owing much to early 2000s US metalcore (Hopesfall, Poison the Well…) and UK post hardcore (Mahumodo, Jairus…).
Artwork by Lindsay Whorley.
“Held In Merciful Light” LP release show will take place on August 5th in Dundee. The record is released the same day on limited edition yellow vinyl and digital download and you’ll be able to get your hands on a copy at the show. The band will be joined in Conroy’s Basement by IN TONGUES, BED OF WASPS and STONETHROWER for what should be a weapons grade basement tear up!
