Today PAIN announce their highly anticipated new album “I Am,” which will be released on May 17th via Nuclear Blast Records. With the first single “Go With The Flow,” Swedish industrial project PAIN set the tone for their upcoming 9th album, “I Am.” Accompanied by a high-quality video featuring actor Peter Stormare (Palme d’Or-awarded Dancer in the Dark, Fargo, Prison Break, The Big Lebowski) and Peter Tägtgren, PAIN makes a triumphant return.
Peter Tägtgren comments: “Go with the flow takes me back to ’80s synth pop. Writing in more of that direction was an idea that I had for a while, so I started taking out analog synths and going crazy, and of course, I needed to come back to a catchy Pain chorus. The hardest part was to write lyrics to the song, and to figure out what style to use to sing… the lyrics are about me always being negative and needing to let things go when things don’t go as planned and to brush it off and move on.”
Stream “Go With The Flow” here: https://pain.bfan.link/go-with-the-flow
Pre-Order the new album “I Am” here: https://pain.ffm.to/iampain
It’s 2021, and a pandemic is strangling the world, leaving little room for joy. Yet, amidst this turmoil, the indefatigable music enthusiast Peter Tägtgren strikes gold with – pardon the blunt expression – a remarkably infectious… well, party anthem. We’re referring, of course, to the song “Party in My Head” by Tägtgren‘s synth-infused metal project, PAIN.
“I can’t quite pinpoint what it is about ‘Party in My Head’ that made – and still makes – people go crazy for it… But what I do know for sure is that the song has already been enjoyed millions and millions of times. The numbers are staggering! Granted, PAIN has always been adept at crafting danceable and catchy, albeit metallic tunes… It’s been a hallmark of this project from the start. But let’s face it: if the world truly needs ‘party anthems’ from a cynical old-timer like me, something’s seriously amiss,” Peter chuckles.
While our beloved planet may be in turmoil, all seems well in PAIN‘s corner as 2024 races on. There simply can’t be much amiss, for PAIN‘s eagerly anticipated new studio album “I Am” is on the horizon – arriving after eight years of eager anticipation.
“The previous record, ‘Coming Home,’ debuted in 2016, followed by a tour. Then, in 2019, I collaborated with Rammstein singer Till Lindemann on an album called ‘F & M,’ which I parted ways with in 2020. In 2021, it was Hypocrisy’s turn to step into the spotlight with a new album, ‘Worship,’ accompanied by another round of touring. And if that weren’t enough, there was a studio album with Joe Lynn Turner in 2022… In short: the last eight years flew by,” Peter reflects. “After all this, it felt like the perfect time for PAIN to come roaring back. Needless to say, the success of ‘Party in My Head’ gave the album process an explosive start!”
Let’s be clear: the formidable “I Am” is truly a versatile – if not the most versatile – musical juggernaut in PAIN‘s extensive discography. The new tracks traverse heavy industrial riffs, haunting melancholic melodies, and groove-laden rhythms – all while offering unexpected twists.
“There are no boundaries with PAIN. I’ll stumble upon an intriguing idea for a song, and along the way, it evolves into something entirely different. Sometimes, I deliberately aim to surprise listeners by exploring a musical avenue where unexpected elements come into play,” Peter explains.
“If I had one overarching goal this time, it was to infuse the songs with more intensity and edge. “Coming Home” turned out great, but in hindsight, I may have leaned a bit too heavily into my ‘David Bowie worship,’ with all the orchestral elements and acoustic guitars. This time around, I was keen on injecting more speed, aggression, and an industrial atmosphere. A return to PAIN’s roots? Perhaps a bit…”
“Moreover, ‘I Am’ is a more familial affair than ever before. My son Sebastian – also a drummer for PAIN – contributed the music for ‘Revolution’ and ‘Don’t Wake the Dead’. These captivating tracks add further depth to an already diverse album. In sum, completing “I Am” demanded extensive composition, writing, contemplation, experimentation, and revision. It was a lengthy and occasionally arduous journey, but never painful!”
Speaking of surprises… Which song is poised to elicit the most jaw-dropping reaction from fans this time around?
“It has to be ‘Go With the Flow’. I’m willing to bet that as it kicks off, even the most astute connoisseurs of PAIN’s music will find themselves wondering what on earth is happening here. I’d describe it as my homage to ’80s Depeche Mode,” Peter chuckles.
“Lyrically, ‘Go With the Flow’ represents a glimmer of hope amid the darkness. I tend to view everything through a lens of impending doom, but with this song, I’m telling myself, ‘come on, let things unfold naturally for once and just go with the flow’.”
Though there may be occasional rays of hope piercing the darkness, gloom still holds sway.
The album’s titular track opens with the line “there’s no hope in the valley of death.” And upon closer inspection of the lyrics, one can uncover numerous other examples of similarly ominous undertones. But let’s be real, with my sarcastic disposition and the bleak times we inhabit… are you really expecting sunny optimism? Well, sunny or not, PAIN is gearing up for a hectic schedule in the foreseeable future. There will be extensive touring to support the record – summer festivals, expansive tours here and there, and more,” Peter remarks.
“And what about the future, anyway? Ask me again in eight years, and there will likely be several studio albums from various bands, numerous gigs, and who knows what else. Yes, I am what ‘I Am’…”
Visit PAIN online at:
Website: https://www.painworldwide.com
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Twitter: https://twitter.com/_pain
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