Spotlights celebrate the April 28 release of their new album, Alchemy For The Dead (Ipecac Recordings), with “Discerning Alchemy,” a short film directed by award-winning documentarian John Pope (“Blood Brother,” “Almost Holy”). The film explores life as an independent artist, through the process of recording
the nine-song album and the band’s DIY philosophy.
“In early 2022, John [Pope] approached us when we were opening for Cave In in Pittsburgh, with the idea of filming a ‘making of’ video,” explains Mario Quintero. “At the time, we weren’t really sure about having someone in our space while recording. Usually that process is very personal to us, and on top of that, our studio is tiny! But once we saw John’s work, and got a chance to sit down and hear his vision, we were 100% in. He’s an absolute master of his craft, and by himself, created a piece that we believe truly shows who we are as a band and as people, while also capturing our process. We’re so excited for people to see it! It’s a perfect companion to the album.”
Debuting exclusively via Bandcamp, attendees will also be the first to hear the new album, with a livestream following the film’s initial screening. Mario, Sarah Quintero and Chris Enriquez will be on hand, answering questions from fans in real time.
Tickets are $3 and available here. The film is available to replay for 48 hours following the April 23 (8PM BST/9PM CEST) debut.
WATCH “THE “DISCERNING ALCHEMY” TRAILER VIA YOUTUBE BELOW:
Two tracks from Alchemy From The Dead have been released in advance of the upcoming release: “Sunset Burial” a song Revolver described as “eerie, epic, and throttling,” as well as “Algorithmic”. Consequence said of the debut single: “The thick tones and melodic vocals invoke Nine Inch Nails and the densely mixed recordings of Failure, melding elements of industrial, sludge metal, and dark alt-rock.”
Spotlights recently released the Seance EP, a five-song digital release featuring “Algorithmic” and “Sunset Burial” with three non-album bonus tracks: “Unalive,” “Should Time Stand Still” and “Your Morning Kill.”
Album pre-orders, which include two 2LP vinyl variants: a standard black version and a limited-edition gold edition available exclusively via Ipecac.com and on the band’s upcoming Alchemy For The Dead tour, can be found here. Vinyl is slated for an August 4th release.
ALCHEMY FOR THE DEAD TRACK LISTING:
1 – BEYOND THE BROKEN SKY
2 – THE ALCHEMIST
3 – SUNSET BURIAL
4 – ALGORITHMIC
5 – FALSE GODS
6 – REPEAT THE SILENCE
7 – BALLAD IN THE MIRROR
8 – CRAWLING TOWARD THE LIGHT
9 – ALCHEMY FOR THE DEAD
Spotlights return to the road on April 26, kicking off their U.S. tour at Pittsburgh’s Club Café. The two-month trek also includes a stint on Ipecac’s Geek Show tour, joining labelmates Mr. Bungle and the Melvins from May 10 to May 24. Full list of dates here.
Spotlights is Mario Quintero (guitar, vocals, keys), Sarah Quintero (bass, vocals) and Chris Enriquez (drums). The band has released three albums to date: Tidals (2016), Seismic (2018) and Love & Decay(2019).
Consequence praised their “unique amalgam of sounds that is both heavy and heavenly,” Brooklyn Vegan said Spotlights “balances the pretty with metallic sludge,” and Invisible Oranges said they thrive “on the ambient and krautrock inspired edges of post-metal.” In the wake of their 2020 EP We Are All Atomic, Kerrang! observed, “That a band as heavy and romantic as Spotlights have become a fixture in the rock scene Is impressive; that they’ve done it in such a short period of time is tremendous.”