17 May 2024
(Photo by Turn Up The Volume – Belgium 2017)
Two months ago renowned noise rock producer STEVE ALBINI
announced a new album with his band SHELLAC, titled TO ALL TRAINS.
Their 6th and first in 10 years.
Unfortunately Albini can’t experience the pleasure to be here today,
on the release day of the LP, as the fatal news came in, on May 7,
of his passing following a heart attack.
Steve Albini, the noise rock pioneer with Big Black and Shellac who helped craft some of the greatest alternative rock albums of all time, has died at 61
More: https://t.co/FwyrSZQjhA pic.twitter.com/jAWeXe1Rta
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) May 8, 2024
It wasn’t really certain if the release would go ahead or not. But here it is,
featuring his long-time, faithful friends/musicians Bob Weston (bass) and
drummer Todd Trainer.
The recordings already started in 2017 featuring several songs
the band used to play live for quite some time by then.
Album artwork
It’s vintage Shellac/Steve Albini with its wayward song structures, its capricious and minimalistic resonance, its broken riffs, edgy hooks, sinewy drumming, Albini‘s poignant vocals and the raw and rough post-punk dynamics at play. Absolutely weird to listen to
it, with the incredible knowledge that Albini is no more.
The album closes with the ominous track I Don’t Fear Hell, including these lines
“I don’t fear hell. Their baseball team is undefeated. If there’s a heaven, I hope they’re
having fun. ‘Cause if there’s a hell, I’m gonna know everyone.” Sounds quite bizarre and macabre at this very moment. Maybe, just maybe, Albini is happy, wherever he might
be. Rest in peace.
STREAM/BUY
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Shellac: Instagram
Live photos by Turn Up The Volume – Belgium 2017)