Didn’t see a thread about this yet. I knew Thirlwell had been concocting a new album for years and I’d been checking the site (http://foetus.org/content/) once in a while expecting news to progress until suddenly an entry with a pre-order showed up. I think it would be great if more artists started putting out their releases with less hoopla. Not sure if the release of Love was done this way, I just enjoyed how this was presented, made me get out my credit card with no hesitation.
Got it in the mail with the signed sticker (initials in gold sharpie). First impression is very positive, about half way through now. The first song makes it clear this is going to be most symphonic and ambitious Foetus album yet, with soaring operatic vocals and an arrangement that’s really more progressive than you’d expect. Sounds like Steroid Maximus with a clear Magma influence. “Paper Slippers” is next and starkly contrasts the bombast of the song before it with lush piano balladry using tense chord changes and drumrolls that sound like it should almost but never settles into something triumphant. It doesn’t evoke real sadness but a dignified resignation. Very good track.
Still listening and will post more thoughts later. Still happy as horseshit to have a brand new Foetus album in the year of the lord 2010. Hail Thirlwell.