Checking in with John Jarvis and Mark Kloeppel on the impending full-length release and upcoming festival
performance
by Melanie P. Falina
Following a blistering triad of EP releases spanning nearly a decade, the idiom ‘leave them wanting more’ comes to mind, but Scour is about to satisfy that craving.
The extreme metal assemblage featuring Philip H. Anselmo (Pantera, Down), Derek Engemann (Philip H. Anselmo & The Illegals), John Jarvis (Nest, Agoraphobic Nosebleed), Mark Kloeppel (Misery Index), and Adam Jarvis (Pig Destroyer, Misery Index, Lock Up) is merging metal and the macabre like never before.
Ready to come ripping into the atmosphere on February 21 via Housecore Records (and Nuclear Blast in Europe) Scour’s first full-length, Gold, solidifies the nightmares lying in wait with speed, aggression, and a diabolical vigor.
Guitarist Mark Kloeppel explains the influence of literature’s horror genre on the making of this album: “Philip has always been a scholar of horror literature and strange fiction. While the tough persona may not lend itself to images of a person reading and studying books for hours on end, nonetheless, that is the reality.”
Gold’s predecessors, the 2016 EP The Grey, 2017’s The Red EP, and 2020’s The Black EP laid the groundwork for this highly anticipated forthcoming release.
“In releases past,” Kloeppel continues, “the lyrical approach was more of a tapestry of abstract phrases linked together to invoke the kind of existential tormented feelings one gets from horror fiction. While that approach is still present on Gold, it has evolved to include vivid depictions of scenes and scenarios. Similar to horror and strange fiction, those painted scapes are used to extrapolate emotion as opposed to just the direct communication of the phrases themselves.”
On Gold, Scour’s aural fusion of black metal, grindcore, punk, and thrash influences help weave an experience of terror that surpasses that of a book or movie.
“I wouldn’t necessarily call the songs stories, but some songs like ‘Invoke’ and ‘Infusorium’ do have distinctive plot-like succession of scenes,” added Kloeppel.
An official video for the forthcoming album’s first single, “Infusorium,” was released this past November, and has now been followed by a video for Scour’s latest single, “Blades” – both of which are effortlessly incinerating the eyes, ears, and minds of extreme music lovers.
As the release date of Gold creeps closer, Scour bassist John Jarvis explained what exactly was unique about the creation this album: “On Gold, I believe we pushed each other to be the best we could, faster and heavier than before.”
“It’s hard to compare to my other projects because it’s so different,” Jarvis continued, “but I learned a lot during the tracking of Phil’s vocals. At one point he was layering some vocals I asked him where he learned that, and he said ‘Ozzy.’ Good enough for me!”
Jarvis then noted: “I’d say it’s the most intense album I’ve been a part of!”
Of the thirteen tracks on Gold, Jarvis commented that “Invoke” is his favorite: “[A]lways a reaction from anyone I’ve played it for. A song that forces you to head-bang with a catchy sing- along!”
And regarding which song Kloeppel is most looking forward to playing live he explained: “We have played ‘Infusorium’ once live already and I loved performing that and its solo in front of people. It’s got a good combination of varying parts. With the amount of sheer speed we do, that one gives a good head- banging change of pace.”
Fortunately, the release of Gold is just the beginning of this deliciously dreadful journey. Despite a steady touring schedule for Anselmo with Pantera, Scour will perform at this year’s Milwaukee Metal Fest in May sharing the stage with the likes of Black Label Society, Gwar, Down, Arch Enemy, and many others, as well as promising more for this era of Scour to come soon. Click here for information and tickets for Milwaukee Metal Fest.
Gold, which features a guest solo by Gary Holt of Slayer and Exodus, will be available on CD, LP, limited edition cassette (in the U.S.), and digital formats, and is guaranteed to melt your face off. Click here for pre-orders.
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