Lotus Thrones sole creator, Heath Rave (ex-Wolvhammer), has seen a transformation in himself over the last few years, thanks entirely to the healing effects of sobriety and fatherhood, and through this has channeled the demons that led his life into a dark alleyway years ago into the post-punk beast that, earlier in the year, released the monolithic Lovers in Wartime. With that kind of album out of your system you’d think Rave would be content to sit back and rest for a spell, but you’d be wrong. In the short period after his debut full length was finished he’s conceived, birthed and nurtured four EPs into reality, each based on one of the four seasons. Today marks the release of the first of the four, Autumnal, for which we are happy to premiere the video for the song “Ghost Forest.”
“The song is about the suffocation of our coastlines.” says Rave. “As the sea levels rise from climate change and hurricanes and superstorms ravage the coastline, its trees are suffocated by saltwater, literally drowning and turning them white.”
The video, directed by Chariot of Black Moth, is a stark reminder of how fragile everything around us can be, and how deep of a part we play in shaping the future tragedy of the world. Aurally it shows growth from where Lovers in Wartime left off, wearing less of its obvious influences on its sleeves and going into murkier Scott Kelly-esque territory. Over seven minutes that ebbs and flows like the waves it sonically and visually represents, Lotus Thrones is moving into challenging territory. But, as with all quality challenging music, the rewards are great.
Autumnal releases today and can be ordered here. It will be followed by Hibernal, Vernal and Solaris as the seasons change.