Hailing from America’s Deep South Savannah, Georgia, and in their 16th year, Baroness have become a globally respected and regarded metal band.
On Friday June 14, Baroness released their fifth studio album, Gold & Grey, which has quickly been heralded as the band’s most adventurous release to date. But what does that actually mean? Beat caught up with the band’s founder, guitar player and vocalist John Baizley to discuss the approach to recording the new album as well as Baizley’s broader philosophy on writing metal.
So with all their accolades and success, where do Baroness believe they sit within the music landscape. “This is something we ask ourselves every so often, and to be honest, I think there are two ways of looking at it; an optimism versus pessimism thing/a glass half full or empty,” Baizley says.
“In some ways it feels like we are a difficult fit everywhere but in other ways, in a more important, more fundamental way, I would like to think that because we don’t self-identify, neither do we deny any of the associations we have.
“I think our view point on where we operate on the grid of the music world at large is that we like to think of ourselves as a very inclusive band,” explains Baizley.
While this response may ostensibly seem laden in contemporary buzz and cliché, Baizley has chosen his words carefully, and clarifies Baroness’ quest for sonic inclusivity. “Part of [our approach] is a reaction to what I have become dissatisfied with through a lifetime of dealing with some of the realities of being a metal band.
“I believe there are acts and artists who become popular and gain celebrity [status] and then aren’t exactly sure how to operate moving forward … As a result, [the audience] get jaded because it becomes like a cool kids club that is run, owned and operated by cool kids.”
Baizley now concludes this opinion with a personal revelation that pretty much every other individual who began following metal as a teenager can relate to. “I can say confidently that I didn’t get into heavy music because I was cool. I got into heavy music because I wasn’t cool.”
This inclusivity that Baizley speaks of can be expanded out as an allegory for what Gold & Grey possesses sonically, particularly on the first single from the album ‘Borderlines’ that sees Baizley’s crusty vocals accompanied for most of the song by the much sweeter sound of lead guitarist and newest member Gina Gleason.
Gleason’s voice may present a point of appeal to listeners who may not have been previous fans of the band; Baizley reveals the construction of it takes greatly from some of the legends of hard rock and metal.
“I would say that song has the most references to heavy music on the album. It’s got that Thin Lizzy part or there is the Judas Priest part. It’s really held together by a few big guitar stings, like the solo that you would expect to find [anywhere] in heavy music.”
Baroness just capped off a quick Mexico and South American tour with shows in Mexico City, Santiago, Buenos Aires and Sao Paulo. They played four shows in the space of five days and will now jet back to America to embark on an extended jaunt throughout the country through July and August.
September, October and November will see them explore Europe on what can only be described as a worldwide adventure. With forthcoming shows covering all parts of the globe, surely an Australian tour is imminent.
Baroness’ fifth album Gold & Grey is out now via Abraxan Hymns/Cooking Vinyl Australia.
