The Black Angels announce new album ‘Wilderness of Mirrors’

The most impactful music reflects a wide-screen view of the world back at us, helping distill the universal into something far more relatable. Since forming in 2004, The Black Angels have become standard-bearers for modern psych-rock that does exactly that, which is one of many reasons why the group’s new album feels so aptly named. Now, Austin’s legendary rockers have announced their brand new album ‘Wilderness of Mirrors’ due out September 16 via Partisan Records.

It has been five years since fans have been treated to an album from The Black Angels and ‘Wilderness of Mirrors’ marks a triumphant return with their foot on the pedal. Political tumult, the pandemic and the ongoing devastation of the environment have provided ample fodder for their signature sound and fierce lyrical commentary. Narrated by Mother Earth, lead single El Jardín is a rib-rattling plea of protection to humans. The new song arrives alongside an official video directed by Vanessa Pla, featuring Austin Amelio (The Walking Dead) and starring his son Lev.

Director Vanessa Pla shares, “Alex [Maas, vocals/bass] came to me with a dystopian sci-fi idea of a future where Mother Nature is dead because we killed her, and the only way to experience her is through virtual reality- an already relatable feeling, as most of the world lives viscerally through social media. Who knows where we will be 100 years from now. This project has been a dream in the making and a massive labor of love and could have only been possible with such a dedicated and talented crew, especially my dear friend and cinematographer Andy Hoffman. For me as a director, it’s an honor to deliver this project on 35mm print and to have been chosen to make something for my favourite band.” Watch the video clip for El Jardin via YouTube below.

‘Wilderness of Mirrors’ expertly refines The Black Angels’ psychedelic rock attack alongside a host of intriguing sounds and textures. Mellotron, strings and other keyboards are more prominent than ever before. The Black Angels – Alex Maas (vocalist/bassist), Christian Bland (guitarist), Stephanie Bailey (drummer), Jake Garcia (guitarist), Ramiro Verdooren (multi-instrumentalist) – co-produced the record, working closely with Brett Orrison (co-producer) and Dinosaur Jr engineer John Agnello to achieve something fresh and new while retaining their heavily influential classic sound.

Since forming in 2004 in Austin, TX, The Black Angels remain masterfully true to psych-rock forebears such as Syd Barrett, Roky Erickson, Arthur Lee and the members of The Velvet Underground, all of whom are namechecked on “The River.” The band’s global influence is solidified by their beloved, long-running Levitation Festival, the veritable ground zero for the genre’s past, present and future – celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. Following the acclaimed ‘Death Song’ LP (2017), ‘Wilderness of Mirrors’ is their latest full-length release on Partisan Records.

‘Wilderness of Mirrors’ track listing

1. Without A Trace
2. History of the Future
3. Empires Falling
4. El Jardin
5. La Pared (Govt. Wall Blues)
6. Firefly
7. Make it Known
8. The River
9. Wilderness of Mirrors
10. Here & Now
11. 100 Flowers of Paracusia
12. A Walk on the Outside
13. Vermillion Eyes
14. Icon
15. Suffocation

Pre-order ‘Wilderness of Mirrors’ here.

The band will also bring their blistering live show to stages across North America with a slew of dates this month, many supporting Primus, and a headlining fall tour.

North American tour dates 
# = supporting Primus

6/9: Denver, CO @ Ogden Theater
6/10: Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Music Hall
6/11: Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory
6/12: Seattle, WA @ The Crocodile
6/14: Troutdale, OR @ Edgefield #
6/15: Reading, CA @ Redding Civic Auditorium #
6/16: Petaluma, CA @ Phoenix Theatre
6/17: Sacramento, CA @ Sacramento Memorial Auditorium #
6/18: Reno, NV @ Grand Theatre, Grand Sierra Resort & Casino #
6/19: San Jose, CA @ San Jose Civic #
6/21: Santa Barbara, CA @ Arlington Theatre #
6/22: San Diego, CA @ Music Box
6/23: Riverside, CA @ Riverside Municipal Auditorium #
6/24: Long Beach, CA @ Terrace Theater, Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center #
6/25: Las Vegas, NV / The Theater at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas #
8/20: Las Vegas, NV @ Psycho Las Vegas
9/10: Lexington, KY @ Expansion Music Festival
9/30: Dallas, TX @ Granada 
10/1: Lawrence, KS @ Bottleneck
10/3: St. Louis, MO @ Delmar Hall
10/4: Omaha, NE @ Slowdown
10/5: Minneapolis, MN @ First Avenue
10/7: Madison, WI @ Majestic
10/8: Chicago, IL @ House of Blues Chicago
10/9: Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom
10/10: Detroit, MI @ Majestic
10/12: Toronto, ON @ Phoenix Theatre
10/13: Montreal, QC @ Corona Theater
10/14: Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club
10/15: Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club
10/17: Brooklyn, NY @ Brooklyn Steel
10/18: Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer
10/19: Chapel Hill, NC @ Cat’s Cradle
10/21: Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse
10/22: Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl
10/23: Birmingham, AL @ Saturn
10/24: Baton Rouge, LA @ Chelsea’s Live
11/3: Mexico City, MX @ Hipnosis Festival

All details can be found here.