Tallah have shared an official video for their new song “What We Know.” The track is taken from the group's new concept album, “Primeval: Obsession // Detachment,” which will be available on September 5.
Bassist Max Portnoy said the following about the song:
“The first song that was written for the album, and easily my #1 Tallah song to date. The amount of experimentation on this track paved the road for the tone of the whole record. From performing the first half of the song on acoustic guitars, to layering trap-metal 808’s over a string quartet with dissonant plucks in the chorus, to a trading guitar solo with a talkbox and a slide, you can find so many fun tools we incorporated, without it feeling disjointed. To have all that experimentation, in a driving and energetic track with a massive chorus, made for my favorite piece of work yet. It was a no-brainer to start the record with this one.”
Vocalist Justin Bonitz also commented on the album:
“‘Primeval Obsession/Detachment‘ is a concept album taking place on an alien planet. The story follows two characters, Ana (a nurse) and Sheelah (an assassin). Both are approached by the same group of beings, who ask the main characters to each perform a task that will test their values and push their morals to the limit before ending with twist after twist. The album explores morality, duty, personal beliefs, duality, and understanding one’s place in society.”
Portnoy continued:
“For me, this album is Tallah finding our voice. During the writing process, no boxes were in place. No rules were set. Whatever felt uniquely us, that was what made the cut. I’m not sure how to even label this record’s sound beyond ‘Tallah‘. It’s weird. It’s experimental. It’s driving, and energetic. It’s raw. We recorded live, every instrument at the same time, with no click. That’s how we play shows, so why would we record differently? This album also marks my first recording dedicated to bass. I translated my drum knowledge to a new instrument and it was a huge creative breath of fresh air for me.”
Bonitz added:
“I practiced for months and was able to record the entire album in one huge, continuous take with no edits or redos or anything! And I was recovering from pneumonia! Nobody is gonna believe me! It was honestly the highlight of my entire vocal career. I was unsure if I could pull it off, but I went into the booth, grabbed an SM57, turned off the lights, and whatever happened happened. I think it feels more intimate and naked with all the flaws and imperfections, which is perfect for the raw, organic sound of this album.”
“Primeval: Obsession // Detachment” Track Listing:
01. “05:01”
02. “What we know”
03. “augmented”
04. “as fate undoes”
05. “my primeval obsession”
06. “_la|cuna_”
07. “A primeval detachment”
08. “undone by fate”
09. “depleted”
10. “what we want”
11. “07:09”