Acclaimed punk band Hot Water Music are excited to announce the release of its acclaimed new album, Feel The Void. Featuring the return of producer Brian McTernan (Turnstile, Converge, Thrice), Feel The Void offers up a torrent of resilience that strives for light in the context of personal and global darkness across its 12 energetic and impassioned songs. Stream the album in its entirety on all platforms HERE.
The band has also released the music video for ‘Habitual,’ a standout track from the new collection that is accompanied by a clip directed by Jesse Korman. Perhaps the most personal song vocalist/guitarist Chuck Ragan has ever written, “Habitual” is for and about those close to him who have suffered with or succumbed to cancer. Ragan had the following to share about the song and its inspiration:
“Habitual is written to show the perspective of a fighter battling cancer. We’ve witnessed family and friends have their bodies taken over by disease. We’ve witnessed some of them give up quickly and lose the will to fight. We’ve also seen the other side of the human spirit where even though their life was determined to be extinguished, they rose above the inevitable to either beat the disease itself or beat the negativity it often is bound to. This song goes out to all who are fighting for their life and the loved ones who are in their corner. Never give up, never give in.”
| In 2017, Hot Water Music vocalist/guitarist Chris Wollard stepped away from playing live with the band in order to focus on his mental health. While the other members – Chuck Ragan (vocals/guitar), Jason Black (bass) and George Rebelo (drums) – understood and supported his decision, it did nevertheless bring the future of the band into question. After a chance encounter between Rebelo and The Flatliners’ Chris Cresswell, Cresswell ended up stepping into Wollard’s shoes for a performance at The Fest that year, which would eventually lead to him becoming a permanent member (with Wollard continuing to record with the band). Recorded at Black Bear Studios in Gainesville, FL, Feel The Void marks the return of producer Brian McTernan, who worked with the band on 2001’s A Flight And A Crash, 2002’s Caution and 2004’s The New What Next, often thought of as Hot Water Music’s classic period. From the moment the dark, portentous intensity of ‘Another Breath’ kicks the record off, it’s clear that this is a band at the peak of their powers. McTernan’s involvement was incredibly instrumental in channeling that spirit and energy – the intense urgency of ‘Killing Time’, ‘Newtown Scraper’ and ‘Scratch On,’ the nervous but positive emotional energy of ‘Hearts Stay Full’ and the title track, the soaring chorus of ‘The Weeds,’ the surging, powerful roar of closer ‘Lock Up.’ Feel The Void also finds Wollard and Ragan singing dual vocals again – and to devastating effect – something that should definitely please longtime fans of the band. Ultimately, it’s a spirit of perseverance, defiance and hope that defines this record, and which also demonstrates how steadfast Hot Water Music has remained in its beliefs and ideas. The world might have changed drastically in the past 25 or so years, but the reason why the band makes music has remained exactly the same as it ever was. What’s more, the music is just as powerful, vital and full of meaning, and just as effective at counteracting the emptiness, pain and suffering that, sadly, is an inherent part of life. |
| FORTHCOMING UK LIVE SHOWS: JUNE 2022 03: LEEDS Slam Dunk Festival 04: HATFIELD Slam Dunk Festival OCTOBER 2022 04: LONDON Electric Ballroom (w/ BoySetsFire) |
