Amidst the sprawling, frost-kissed landscapes of the North, where the aurora borealis dances with ethereal grace, a sonic tempest brews. This is the realm of Barren Womb, a band whose name has become synonymous with the raw, unbridled spirit of Nordic noise rock. As we stand at the cusp of their latest release, “Chemical Tardigrade,” set to descend upon the auditory world on February 16th, 2024, there’s an electric anticipation in the air.
The duo at the helm, Tony Gonzalez and Timo Silvola, have navigated their vessel, Barren Womb, through tumultuous seas since late 2011. Their journey, phoenix-like, rose from the ashes of the enigmatic Like Rats From A Sinking Ship, charting a course through the unpredictable waters of the music industry.
“Chemical Tardigrade’s” genesis, rooted in real-life events, brings forth a visceral narrative in the track “Bug Out Bag.” The song spins a gritty tale from the streets of Trondheim – a story of a jailbird, a bonfire of books, and an intervention that prevented a literary inferno. Such narratives, grounded in the stark realities of life, lend the album an authenticity that’s as gripping as it is rare.
“‘Bug Out Bag’ is a story from real life when a jailbird tried to burn down our local park with a bonfire of books.” – comments the band.
“This was in the middle of the night during the winter. The guy had just gotten out of jail, managed to get drunk, high and was freezing in the park. In Trondheim we have these free book lending spots in old telephone booths which he intended to use as timber. Now, it so happens that I too was high and drunk in the park. And I wasn’t having any book burning that or any other night.”
“It took me a good while to musterthe courage to speak to this beefcake with a bomber jacket and wild intense eyes. I tried to be casual about it, but threats were dealt and for a while I thought my luck was out. But standing my ground bore fruit and eventually the guy left his pile of books and the park. The lyrics for the song were written the same night in the park and the song came together in a classic Barren Womb fashion through the power of jamming.”
Barren Womb, known for their minimalist approach and ear-splitting volume, are set to release their fifth album, “Chemical Tardigrade,” on February 16, 2024, through Fucking North Pole Records/Blues For The Red Sun.
This record, their fifth, follows the critically acclaimed “Lizard Lounge” (2020), a project that showcased their ability to merge noise rock with an experimental edge. It’s not just an album; it’s an exploration, a sonic expedition across uncharted territories. From the tribal percussions of “McLembas” to the harmonious dissonance of “Dung Lung,” the duo weaves a narrative that’s as complex as it is captivating.
But to pigeonhole Barren Womb into a single genre would be an injustice. Their music is a kaleidoscope of influences, from the alt-rock angst of Drive Like Jehu to the post-hardcore ferocity of Fugazi. Yet, in the midst of these varied influences, Barren Womb stands distinct, a unique entity in a sea of sound-alikes. Their offering is a visceral experience that resonates in the very marrow of your bones.
The album’s production, a collaborative effort with Eirik Øien at Fjøset Lystudio, encapsulates this raw energy. The mix is a finely balanced chaos, where each strum, each beat, is a deliberate stroke on a canvas of sound. The mastering by Alan Douches at West West Music further elevates the album, lending it a polish that never detracts from its inherent grit.
Catch the band live at the following shows this Winter and Spring:
– Feb 6, Tue: Club 007 – Strahov @ 7:00 pm (Praha, Czech Republic)
– Mar 7, Thu: Pivní bar Azyl @ 8:00 pm (Liberec, Czechia)
– Mar 8, Fri: Nummer zu Platz @ 8:00 pm (Bielefeld, Germany)
– Mar 9, Sat: Orkz Bar @ 9:00 pm (Groningen, Netherlands)
– Mar 10, Sun: South Central @ 8:00 pm (Schnega, Germany)
– Apr 5, Fri: Vaterland Bar & Scene @ 8:00 pm (Oslo, Norway)
– Apr 6, Sat: Odal Rock club @ 8:00 pm (Austvatn, Norway)
– Apr 12, Fri: Ungdommens Hus Røros @ 8:00 pm (Røros, Norway)
– Apr 13, Sat: Verkstedhallen, Svartlamon @ 8:00 pm (Trondheim, Norway)
– Apr 18, Thu: Folken @ 8:00 pm (Stavanger, Norway)
– Apr 20, Sat: Vaktbua Storenes @ 8:30 pm (Kristiansand, Norway)
– May 4, Sat: Rockeklubben I Porsgrunn @ 8:00 pm (Porsgrunn, Norway)
– May 8, Wed: Dama Di AS @ 9:00 pm (Bodø, Norway)
