Canadian prog rock duo Crown Lands have announced they'll release their new album Fearless through Spinefarm Records/Universal Music Canada on March 31.
The band have also released an eye-catching visualiser video for the 18-minute track Starlifter: Fearless Pt. II, which you can watch below.
"This is truly our crowning achievement," enthuses guitarist, bassist and keyboard player Kevin Comeau. "The best song we have written so far. An 18-minute opus. A testament to the power of prog. A document of just how much noise two people can create."
“This epic story spans hundreds of years following our titular hero: Fearless after the events of (2021 single) The Oracle," explains vocalist and drummer Cody Bowles. "He stands against the colonisation of outer space and the decimation of his people to reclaim what was stolen by capitalistic greed and bloodshed.
“These are themes that may sound like a mere fantastic tale to some, but we wanted to marry sci-fi elements with very real issues Indigenous people have gone through time and time again. I guess that would be called Indigenous futurism. I have always loved songs that give you more the more you lean into them, and there is a deeper meaning to this story if you look for it."
"We had so much fun tracking this music," adds Comeau of the new album. "I think we were both able to do what we wanted to do as artists for so long. Let's be honest here, there's a little bit of cleverness for cleverness' sake in there too."
Fearless was recorded in 80A Studio at Universal studio in Toronto with producer David Bottrill (Rush, Muse, Tool, Mastodon) and came together over a six-month period, in short, intense bursts between live dates.
The band also have a live album, Odyssey Vol. 1, released this week. Limited to 500 copies on sea blue/orchid "cornetto effect" double vinyl, it was recorded at Universal Music Canada's 80A Studio in Toronto’s Liberty Village, and was originally streamed live across Louder titles Prog Magazine, Classic Rock and Metal Hammer in November 2021. It's available to order now.
Crown Lands will tour Canada in March and April, mixing headline performances and support slots with with fellow Canadian rockers July Talk. Full details below - international dates expected to follow.
Crown Lands: Fearless tracklist
1. Starlifter: Fearless Pt. II
2. Dreamer Of The Dawn
3. The Shadow
4. Right Way Back
5. Context: Fearless Pt. I
6. Reflections
7. Penny
8. Lady Of The Lake
9. Citadel
Crown Lands Never Remember Canadian Tour 2023
Mar 10: Toronto Massey Hall, ON*
Mar 11: Toronto Massey Hall, ON*
Mar 13: Cambridge Farm League Brewing, ON
Mar 16: Geraldton Geraldton Country Club, ON
Mar 18: Fort Frances Royal Canadian legion, ON
Mar 19: Red Lake Legion, ON
Mar 22: Regina The Exchange, SK
Mar 23: Red Deer The Vat, AB
Mar 25: Kelowna Showshoe Sam’s, BC
Mar 28: Victoria Royal Theatre, BC*
Mar 30: Vancouver Commodore Ballroom, BC*
Apr 01: Calgary Grey Eagle Resort and Casino, AB*
Apr 04: Edmonton Winspear Centre, AB*
Apr 06: Winnipeg Burton Cummings Theatre, MB*
Apr 09: London Music Hall, ON*
Apr 10: Ottawa National Arts Centre, ON*|
Apr 11: Montreal MTELUS, QC*
* = supporting Judy Talk
