Female-fronted, post-hardcore high flyers Future Palace are pleased to announce their upcoming album Distortion, due out September 6 via Arising Empire! Pre-order it here.
Today, the band has shared the video for the single "The Echoes of Disparity," featuring a standout collaboration with Charlie Rolfe from As Everything Unfolds. This song makes a strong statement regarding societal pressure and control over women's bodies. Singer Maria Lessing showcases an impressive vocal range, transitioning between powerful shouts and crystal-clear vocals, adding depth and emotion to the song's important message.
Watch the video Below.
The world is a firework of overstimulation, and Future Palace have dedicated their latest album Distortion, to this overwhelming feeling.
On the new record, the band delves into a mass of mental illnesses and societal problems, creating music that, fittingly, delivers more hooks than ever before, shifting seamlessly from the quietest depths to the loftiest heights.
While their previous album, Run, leaned toward musical extremes, Distortion is the ultimate culmination of all the tones Future Palace have absorbed on their Europe-wide journey as one of the most exciting acts in alternative guitar music. The album features the most powerful metalcore breakdowns meeting trembling darkwave beats, anthemic emocore refrains à la Bad Omens contrasted with sacred choirs, and the coldness of industrial clashing with the powerful emotionality of Sleep Token, making Distortion more like a manifesto.
Future Palace's music has always explored internal struggles, and Distortion is the brutal climax of this approach. The album title, derived from the psychological term cognitive distortion, reflects a world where changing perceptions trap individuals in recurring pitfalls. Distortion addresses various mental illnesses and personal struggles, from ADHD to depression to narcissism. The band's third album is a powerful force of emotions, cycles, and cries of desperation, overwhelming listeners with its intensity.
The band's creativity shines as they tackle demanding topics with fresh perspectives. On Distortion, they build on their previous work by incorporating new elements, like orchestral interjections in "The Echoes of Disparity," which combines brutal screams and chant-like passages to convey psychological struggle. "Panic Paralysis" features a massive vocal motif with an arabesque touch, while "They Take What They Want" dives into emotional depths, blending raw metalcore with gentle vocal passages and massive choirs.
Despite the album's emotional intensity, Distortion was created amid excessive demands. Produced by Julian Breucker and Christoph Wieczorek, known for their work with Annisokay, Beyond the Black, and Smash Into Pieces, the recording process was grueling. Lessing recorded the album with a root infection and after wisdom tooth surgery, adding stress but enhancing the songs' authenticity. Guitarist Manuel Kohlert notes that the album reflects the band's experience as a heavy touring band, capturing the feelings of being on the road and contemplating their existence.
Despite its challenges, Distortion carries a piece of hope. "Decarabia" tells a bittersweet story about a depressed couple, while "The Echoes of Disparity," featuring Charlie Rolfe of As Everything Unfolds, is militantly rebellious, addressing abuse of power and the oppression of women. Lessing emphasizes the importance of female support to convey the song's message loudly.
PHOTO CREDIT: HelloBipo
FUTURE PALACE ARE:
Maria — Vocals
Manuel — Guitar
Johannes — Drums