Beastwars have announced their ambitious new album, Tyranny of Distance.
The Wellington heavyweights will release their fifth studio album in October, and its eight songs are set to cover the common themes of “despair, loneliness and existential frustration.” They’ve also thrown in a song “recounting the story of an illicit drug-fuelled party” for good measure.
Tyranny of Distance is also a covers album spanning 40 years of New Zealand music: Beastwars have offered renditions of songs by Marlon Williams, The 3Ds, Nadia Reid, The Gordons and many more on the upcoming record.
The first single from Tyranny of Distance is “Waves”, originally performed by ’90s indie rock band Superette. “Waves” closed out Superette’s debut album Tiger, released on Flying Nun Records in 1996.
Torn between two Superette songs for their album – “Saskatchewan” and “Waves” – Beastwars decided to use the heaving riff from the former as the basis for their version, putting the harrowing lyrics and melody of the latter atop the riff.
Beastwars’ updated version features guest vocals from Julia Deans (who is also covered elsewhere on the album), who was eager to unleash her inner “secret wannabe-Viking metal-siren” in her performance.
To celebrate their new album, Beastwars will hit the road for a national tour later this year. Beginning in Whanganui on album release day, they’ll then visit New Plymouth, Hamilton, Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton and Dunedin throughout the rest of October and November (see full dates below).
Beastwars’ “Waves” (Superette cover) is out now. Tyranny of Distance is out Friday, October 13th (pre-save/pre-order here).
Beastwars 2023 National Album Tour
Ticket information available via beastwarsband.com
Friday, October 13th
The Musicians Club, Whanganui
Saturday, October 14th
Zeal/The Mayfair, New Plymouth
Thursday, October 26th
Last Place, Hamilton
Friday, October 27th
Galatos, Auckland
Saturday, October 28th
San Fran, Wellington
Friday, November 3rd
Loons, Lyttelton
Saturday, November 4th
Dive, Dunedin
