FLIEGE honors 40th anniversary of John Carpenter film "The Thing" with enthralling new album "One Day They'll Wonder What Happened Here"; new music video streaming now
New York City duo Fliege announces the November 4th release of its new album, One Day They'll Wonder What Happened Here.
A monumental project, musically and conceptually, One Day They'll Wonder What Happened Here is a scene-by-scene retelling of John Carpenter's 1982 film, The Thing, starring Kurt Russell, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.
Stream the official music video for the album's first single, "Jaws of Life," here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGb3urohmVI
New York City duo Fliege announces the November 4th release of its new album, One Day They'll Wonder What Happened Here.
A monumental project, musically and conceptually, One Day They'll Wonder What Happened Here is a scene-by-scene retelling of John Carpenter's 1982 film, The Thing, starring Kurt Russell, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.
Stream the official music video for the album's first single, "Jaws of Life," here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGb3urohmVI
Pre-order the album, here: https://dasfliege.bandcamp.com/album/one-day-theyll-wonder-what-happened-here
One one level, One Day They'll Wonder What Happened Here is a couple of film buffs' meticulous tribute to one of their idols. Fliege mastermind Coleman Bentley states: "John Carpenter is probably my favorite director and at some point I really wanted to explore one of his films through the Fliege prism."
More than just an album inspired by a movie, One Day They'll Wonder What Happened Here is a complete, chronological companion piece, tackling The Thing from start to finish. First single "Jaws of Life" retells the film's iconic "autopsy scene," wherein a detached human head sprouts spider legs. The official music video, co-created by Brandon Gallagher, the multimedia artist behind acclaimed industrial project Trace Amount, is a nightmarish, 3D-animated clip.
On a deeper level, Bentley and his co-conspirator, vocalist Peter Rittweger, are using the format to explore their own existential questions. Bentley explains: "When COVID hit I revisited 'The Thing' and was immediately grabbed by the themes of infection, isolation, and paranoia that were swirling all around us in real life at the time. I saw an opportunity to write about an awesome sci-fi movie from one of my favorite directors and also about the brand new world taking shape around us."
On a deeper level, Bentley and his co-conspirator, vocalist Peter Rittweger, are using the format to explore their own existential questions. Bentley explains: "When COVID hit I revisited 'The Thing' and was immediately grabbed by the themes of infection, isolation, and paranoia that were swirling all around us in real life at the time. I saw an opportunity to write about an awesome sci-fi movie from one of my favorite directors and also about the brand new world taking shape around us."
About "Jaws of Life," he states: "The song is about the human body as a cage – imprisoning oneself in chains of illness and infection. In the 'The Thing' this is treated literally, with the invasion of a parasite turning the body against its owner. In our song it is a metaphor for the effect of any corrupting influence – stress, substances, sickness, pollution. Sometimes those influences are so great that over time we begin to change and evolve. One day we wake up and realize we have become something other. A thing."
Concepts aside, One Day They'll Wonder What Happened Here is a musical tour-de-force, showcasing the fleet fingers and sheer open-mindedness of principal songwriter/guitarist Bentley; Bentley is a bona fide guitar hero and the new album is a sumptuous feast of shred, authoritatively bringing an array of '80s flavors, from hair metal to new wave, into a modern, extreme metal context. Within "Jaws of Life" alone, he glides gracefully through Sisters of Mercy-esque hard-goth, blazing Steve Stevens-worthy histrionics, and Slayer-ific chugging. Rittweger delivers lethal blackened screams, colored by Bentley's clean vocal hooks. Programmed drums lend an industrial-metal backbone. A bed of retro synths conjures the dance floor or the dungeon, depending on one's perspective.
An enthralling mix of styles, One Day They'll Wonder What Happened Here is progressive and irresistible. Bentley lists The Police, Def Leppard, and Blood Incantation, amongst the many influences that went into the album. "I worked very hard to try to write songs that defied traditional structures and listener expectations," he reveals. "I think it is deeper, more musically challenging, and potentially has greater staying power, than our past work."
Concepts aside, One Day They'll Wonder What Happened Here is a musical tour-de-force, showcasing the fleet fingers and sheer open-mindedness of principal songwriter/guitarist Bentley; Bentley is a bona fide guitar hero and the new album is a sumptuous feast of shred, authoritatively bringing an array of '80s flavors, from hair metal to new wave, into a modern, extreme metal context. Within "Jaws of Life" alone, he glides gracefully through Sisters of Mercy-esque hard-goth, blazing Steve Stevens-worthy histrionics, and Slayer-ific chugging. Rittweger delivers lethal blackened screams, colored by Bentley's clean vocal hooks. Programmed drums lend an industrial-metal backbone. A bed of retro synths conjures the dance floor or the dungeon, depending on one's perspective.
An enthralling mix of styles, One Day They'll Wonder What Happened Here is progressive and irresistible. Bentley lists The Police, Def Leppard, and Blood Incantation, amongst the many influences that went into the album. "I worked very hard to try to write songs that defied traditional structures and listener expectations," he reveals. "I think it is deeper, more musically challenging, and potentially has greater staying power, than our past work."
Prior Fliege releases have each focused on another film: David Cronenberg's The Fly, Ingmar Bergman's The Seventh Seal, and Shinya Tsukamoto's Tetsuo: The Iron Man. Four releases into its career now, Fliege has proven itself, beyond doubt. Bentley and Rittweger's commitment to their concept is undeniable and laudable. But most importantly, they have created an album whose music transcends.
Tracklist:
1) The Thaw
2) Glaciers of Eden Pt. 1
3) Man Is the Warmest Place to Hide
4) Jaws of Life
5) Terra-form
6) Sight for the Snowblind
7) Blair Built a Spaceship
8) Glaciers of Eden Pt. 2
Lineup:
Coleman Bentley - guitar, bass, synth, drum programming, vocals
Peter Rittweger - vocals
All music and lyrics by Coleman Bentley
Produced by Coleman Bentley
Mixed and mastered by Nikhil Kamineni
1) The Thaw
2) Glaciers of Eden Pt. 1
3) Man Is the Warmest Place to Hide
4) Jaws of Life
5) Terra-form
6) Sight for the Snowblind
7) Blair Built a Spaceship
8) Glaciers of Eden Pt. 2
Lineup:
Coleman Bentley - guitar, bass, synth, drum programming, vocals
Peter Rittweger - vocals
All music and lyrics by Coleman Bentley
Produced by Coleman Bentley
Mixed and mastered by Nikhil Kamineni
Photo of Fliege, by Chris Palermo
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