Oakland-based duo Othered present their hard-hitting debut album ‘Othered Vol, 1’ on limited edition vinyl and digitally, following up the single ‘Journey To The Edge’, a heavy rock / metal anthem replete with signs of our times.
Othered is a collaborative recording project by Henry Austin Lannan and Emily Palen (a.k.a. KnightressM1). Based in the San Francisco Bay Are, this powerhouse project also weaves doom, metal and psychedelic prog–rock throughout their music
‘Othered Vol. 1’ was born out of sheer necessity to create amidst a complete disruption to normality as a result of the 2020 pandemic and lockdowns. Lyrically, the album is a call for independent thought, soul maintenance and critical discernment in a time when a war on human consciousness is being waged.
“This album was a synchronistic opportunity for me to dive into myself as a vocalist and also to bring a voice to the traumatic experience everyone was plunged into. As we traversed the mind-bending manipulation of the last two years the lyrics and melodies of Othered served as a channel to express views that were challenging to many to hear. Many of us who have always questioned what our government tells us have been afraid to speak up for fear of life-altering consequences. I do not pretend to know the core facts of the story we are playing out now, however there is longstanding and irrefutable evidence that these false authority figures have never cared about us. I maintain that it is critical that we be able to question and think for ourselves,” says Emily Palen.
“When we are being attacked so viciously for doing so, it is a horrible red flag. Austin Lannan gave me his unlimited blessing to explore my own ideas uncensored and I am very grateful for that landscape. My hope is that this music is both a clarion call to others who have felt alone during this time, a fortifying song for those who are on the front lines of consciousness evolution and a reminder to those who have fallen victim to mass engineered manipulation tactics, to come home to who they truly are. Our true nature is to care for each other, and celebrate and support our vast differences. Our strength is in our diversity, not in aligning to one single thought sent down upon us from above”.
Henry Austin Lannan and Emily Palen met by chance through Specimen Box, Lannan’s collaborative music project with Larry Boothroyd (Jello Biafra and GSM, Victim’s Family, Triclops!). Upon hearing one of Austin’s demos, Larry introduced him to Emily, who created a vocal composition that led to this fruitful collaboration, based on songs written in the midst of the 2020 lockdown.
After recording numerous demos at Austin’s home studio, they eventually recorded this long-player at El Studio in San Francisco with Phil Becker (drummer of Triclops!, Terry Gross, Pins of Light and Lower Forty-Eight) serving as producer and engineer.
“2020 was a fucked up year. A profound sense of isolation permeated daily life along with rampant fear and a consistent general feeling of unease. The sounds, words and tone of this record are both inspired by those negative emotions and an attempt to counter the despair and hopelessness many of us felt throughout the year,” says Henry Austin Landan.
‘Othered Vol. 1’ is out now, available digitally and on gold-colored vinyl in a limited edition of 150 copies, pressed with heavy-weight gloss stock jacket and black card stock insert printed in silver and gold ink. The album can be ordered directly from the artist via Bandcamp.
CREDITS
Emily Palen – Vocals
Henry Austin Lannan – Guitar, Baritone Guitar, Bass, Mandocello
Doug Pearson – Synthesizers, Electric Piano
Eric Strand – Drums & Percussion (2,4,6,7,8,9)
Ralph Spight – Lead Guitar (5)
Clayton Vorheis – Bass (5)
Larry Boothroyd – Drums (3)
Phil Becker – Drums & Percussion (5,9)
All compositions by Henry Austin Lannan
All lyrics by Emily Palen
Recorded, mixed & produced by Phil Becker at El Studio (San Francisco)
Mastered by Justin Weis, Trakworx (South San Francisco)
Cover painting ‘Gold with Burnished X’ by Barry Masteller, 1991
Photos by Sonia Savio
TRACK LIST
1. Coastal I
2. Planets on the Rise
3. Journey to the Edge
4. War
5. Redless
6. Dead Americans
7. Center of the Galaxy
8. Pink in June
9. Coastal II
“High-octane sonic goodness – pure energy and all power with vividly clear rock and metal sensibility… Musically and lyrically cohesive, this music is empowering” ~ Amplify Music Magazine
“Astute and perceptive lyrics… a natural progression of alternative rock, that redefines the boundaries of doom-metal and adds a more diverse soundscape”~ The Manc Review
“A bruised and brooding slice of alternative rock meets dynamic and dark, progressive metal” ~ The Swindonian
“Grungy psychedelic rock… dark, realistic and intelligent” ~ Punk Rock Beat
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