Recently reformed hardcore band VERSE will be entering Machines with Magnets (Pawtucket, RI) next week to record their highly-anticipated fourth album, “Bitter Clarity, Uncommon Grace”.
Here’s the official statement:
This recording session will span throughout the duration of the month, where the band will lay down 10 tracks that will “…encompass all things VERSE”, vocalist Sean Murphy commented. “We always try to keep things fresh – we don’t want to put the same record out over and over again. Bitter Clarity is a natural progression from our previous records; we want to do things on our own terms so we don’t hit a wall like last time. We’re just happy to be back to writing, recording, and having fun”, Sean continued.
Bitter Clarity, Uncommon Grace, much like VERSE’s previous efforts, will be musically dynamic and lyrically poignant, focusing on a storyline that is “…completely human. The concept is set of life lessons shown to us by the life of a universal mother to all, wrapped in uncertainty and contradiction, and personal firsthand accounts of struggles of family and friends throughout my life”, vocalist/lyricist Sean Murphy said.
After announcing just about two years ago that VERSE would disband, the members regrouped in late 2011 and made the decision to give it another go. The band had their first show back in February at AS220 in Providence, RI, with friends and labelmates Defeater and Soul Control, which was wildly received. Upon completion of recording Bitter Clarity, Uncommon Grace, VERSE will head overseas to hit Groezrock Festival in Belgium, and has plans to hit the West Coast later this summer, as well as a European tour with Soul Control in July and August. Plans to hit South America, Japan, and Australia are also in the works for later this year, following the release of Bitter Clarity, Uncommon Grace.
VERSE formed in 2003 and released a demo, followed by 2004’s Rebuild (Rivalry Records) and their start of a rigorous, full-time touring schedule. The critically acclaimed LP From Anger and Rage followed and over a year of straight touring continued, when the band was picked up by Bridge Nine Records in 2008. Their B9 debut, Aggression, was one of Punknews.org’s best albums of the year. VERSE’s subsequent breakup was announced in early 2009 and the band remained dormant until December of 2011. Their forthcoming album, Bitter Clarity, Uncommon Grace, is sure to be some of the band’s most realized work to date. Look for this new album to hit stores in Summer of 2012 from Bridge Nine Records with more information to surface very soon.
VERSE live:
Photo by Todd Pollock.
