You can never guess Ceremony’s next move. The California punks went full synthpop on 2019’s In The Spirit World Now and remained busy with side projects and solo debuts in between tours. But today they’re finally announcing their seventh studio album and first in seven years, Tell Me Your Dream.
“We’re living in an era of mass uncertainty,” vocalist Ross Farrar says. “In punk, I don’t see how you can’t respond. It’s taken over our lives in so many different ways — economically, politically, spiritually. We want people to wake up and get into what’s happening.”
“Why aren’t punk bands actually saying the word ‘Palestine’ on their records?” adds guitarist Andy Nelson, referring to the track “Madness.” “We didn’t want to make anything that felt light, or empty, or apolitical. Our intent is to not waste anyone’s time, and to encourage people to think about what they settle for.”
For the LP, Ceremony returned to producer John Reis (Rocket From The Crypt, Hot Snakes) who helmed 2015’s The L-Shaped Man. “John sort of joined the band on this one,” says guitarist/keyboardist Anthony Anzaldo. “We could not respect him more as a guitarist, as a singer, as a songwriter. He understands what it’s like to be in every position. So we really gave him the keys.”
Along with the album news, they’re also announcing a North American tour. “We’re bound together like family,” Anzaldo explains. “Our relationships are beyond the band. Ceremony is going to live no matter what. We’ve shifted into this dynamic where the choice isn’t ours anymore.”
In April we heard the single “Other Hells,” a return to Ceremony’s hardcore roots, and today we get another rowdy preview in “Death Destruction Mayhem.” Check that out below along with the tour dates.
TRACKLIST:
01 “Prograde”
02 “Other Hells”
03 “Madness”
04 “Dark Summer”
05 “Deep Down Where I Belong”
06 “Antenna”
07 “Justify”
08 “Death Destruction Mayhem”
09 “10 Planets”
10 “Paradise”
TOUR DATES:
06/17 – Barcelona, ES @ Laut
06/19 – Clisson, FR @ Hellfest
09/09 – Montreal, QC @ Les Foufounes Électriques
09/10 – Toronto, ON @ East End United Basement
09/12 – Chicago, IL @ Metro
09/13 – Minneapolis, MN @ Fine Line
09/24 – Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
09/26 – Vancouver, BC @ The American
10/01 – Boston, MA @ The Sinclair
10/02 – New York, NY @ Warsaw
10/03 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
10/04 – Washington, DC @ Black Cat
10/16 – Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade – Hell
10/17 – Orlando, FL @ The Abbey
10/18 – Miami, FL @ Churchill’s
10/22 – Denver, CO @ Marquis
11/05 – San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger
11/06 – Austin, TX @ Mohawk
11/07 – Dallas, TX @ Trees
11/13 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore
11/20 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Novo
Tell Me Your Dream is out 8/7 via Relapse. Pre-order it here.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source stereogum.com ’
