Darkadelic is the twelfth studio album by the British punk rock band the Damned,Punk Icons The Damned Return With Darkadelic, Weigh in On Banning Artists With 'Sh-t Stuff in Their Lives'. Billboard. 4 April 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023. released on 28 April 2023 by earMUSIC.
Background The album's title has been described as recognising the Damned's "influence as a pioneering goth band and interest in psychedelia".Album reviews: From Jessie Ware's That! Feels Good! to The Lottery Winners' Anxiety Replacement Therapy. Belfast Telegraph. 28 April 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023. Darkadelic is the first and only album by the Damned to feature drummer William Granville-Taylor after he replaced Pinch, who left the band in 2019.The Damned release new single and video 'You're Gonna Realise' from new album Darkadelic. Music-News.com. 23 April 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
For Darkadelic, the Damned teamed up with producer Thomas Mitchener, formerly of the bands Haunts and Spycatcher, because he was, as guitarist Captain Sensible put it, a "purveyor of the '70s sound" they were going for on the album. Singer Dave Vanian stated that, for him, "the only criteria was to have this album driven by more pronounced guitars."
Prior to recording, Sensible and Granville-Taylor spent time working out arrangements for the tracks. "We actually sat down and we listened to a few Beatles songs, 'cause the songs were so beautifully arranged on those," Sensible said. "We really arranged the drums for what's right for the song. There was a lot of brainstorming during those two weeks of laying down the basic tracks."
Prior to its release, the majority of the album was played during shows by the Damned on their April 2023 tour of the United Kingdom.Damned to play majority of 'Darkadelic' on tour before LP release. Punknews. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
The track "Leader of the Gang" is based on the crimes of former glam rock star Gary Glitter.The National borrow Taylor Swift, The Damned tear into Gary Glitter – the week's best albums. The Telegraph. 28 April 2023. Retrieved 3 May 2023. "Follow Me" is about influencers, and "Beware of the Clown" deals with politicians. "Wake the Dead" was written specifically to be played at funerals. Through his online activity, Sensible had become aware that Damned songs were being played at fans' funerals. "So I thought, 'Well, they're playing these songs 'cause the deceased love the band. Why not write one actually for that purpose?"
Track listing
Personnel Credits adapted from the album's liner notes.
The Damned Dave Vanian – vocals Captain Sensible – guitar, vocals (lead vocals on "Bad Weather Girl") Monty Oxymoron – keyboards Paul Gray – bass William Granville-Taylor – drums
Additional musicians Marty Love – backing vocals ("Bad Weather Girl") Don Jenkins – tambourine ("Beware of the Clown") Chris Coull – trumpet ("Western Promise", "Roderick") Emily Vanian – violin ("Roderick") Thomas Mitchener – EBow guitar ("Roderick")
Technical Thomas Mitchener – production, engineering, mixing Mark Knight – assistant (at Kore Studios) John Davis – mastering (at Metropolis Studios) Graham Humphreys – cover, layout David Read – 'A Damned Picture' globe
Charts + Chart performance for Darkadelic Chart (2023) Peakposition US Top Album Sales (Billboard) 75
References