Steeped in nocturnal, death rock adventurism, driven with a post-punk anxiety that feels increasingly like the twitching heart of our modern age, and driven by hardcore punk intensity, the second studio album from Boston’s FINAL GASP, New Day Symptoms, does what all great rock records do. Not only does it place itself within a lineage, summoning up and amplifying a spectrum of powers from rock’n’roll lore, it makes them resonate in the here and now. It gives voice to those fears and frustrations lurking just under the surface of waking consciousness and turns them into a rallying cry.
Throughout New Day Symptoms, FINAL GASP create a potent reaction from the furious and the forlorn as frontman Jake Murphy vocalizes both a supercharged howl into the void and a remorseful echo back. Lead single “The Apparition” is “A story of reality being much more horrifying than fiction,” Jake tells. “It’s about a captain and his crew on a small boat. A storm came and capsized it and he and his two crew members were forced to swim to some sort of safety. Ultimately only he survived, having to watch his two friends be taken away by something that could have been avoided. He knew a storm was coming but thought they could make it. It’s all about bad timing and facing the consequences.” “The Apparition” is available today with its haunting video directed by Caleb Gowett and Bill Politis.
Above all, New Day Symptoms is one of those rare killer rock’n’roll albums whose conviction and honesty make it unique, primed to stand the test of time, and as acclaimed tours with bands as diverse as Abbath, Gatecreeper, Fiddlehead, Poison Ruin, Devil Master and Imperial Triumphant make clear, unlimited in their appeal. As Jake says, “It’s exciting to have the record out. I think this is an evolution of the band and we’re just going to keep writing music that inspires us. We’re going to continue moving forward – you can’t stay in the same place forever. That’s the message of this record and it’s there to resonate for people who may not feel it’s possible.”
New Day Symptoms was produced by Arthur Rizk and sees its release February 27 via Relapse Records. Last month, FINAL GASP announced a headlining North American tour which crosses both coast, the midwest and more. See below for a full list of dates. Tickets are on sale here.
