photo by Jerry Deeney
“Forget polish, forget compromise, NOISEPICKER are here to burn it all down.” – The Sleeping Shaman
The Sleeping Shaman is hosting an exclusive early stream of The Earth Will Swallow The Sun, the diverse second LP by English doom/blues/noise rock duo NOISEPICKER, ahead of the album’s official release tomorrow through Exile On Mainstream Records.
With more than a quarter of a century of noise making history behind him, singer and guitarist Harry Armstrong returns. Known as the current bass player in Orange Goblin, Armstrong has been a part of delivering the hard rock of Blind River, the sludgy thrash metal of End Of Level Boss, the piano-led jazz rock of The Earls Of Mars, the stoner fix of Hangnail and alongside Bill Steer and Ludwig Witt in Firebird, the instrumental soundscapes of The Winchester Club, the death metal of Decomposed, and many others. Armstrong, alongside drummer Kieran Murphy, is NOISEPICKER.
Having released their first album, Peace Off, through Exile On Mainstream in 2018, other commitments (and the dreaded COVID-19 shutdown) put NOISEPICKER on a slight hiatus, until a stash of unused riff ideas were dusted off during 2024 to make what is about to be their second full-length release, The Earth Will Swallow The Sun. On a permanent search to constantly try “something else,” Armstrong has taken to writing, recording, and mixing this new record himself, just to see if he could accomplish the task. Recorded in a rehearsal room and mixed in his kitchen – assisted only in the mastering, which was handled by Stefan Brüggemann – it is an approach to music with a DIY ethic fully embedded in its heart.
Armstrong states, “We set out to make an album that’s raw, energetic, live, and brutally honest, and we think the result speaks for itself. Recorded in an afternoon in a room with carpeted walls, using equipment older than ourselves, and embracing a complete disregard for modern recording techniques, this album sounds like a band in a room because that’s what it is. If you seek perfection, look away. Any flaws you hear are real. Any mistakes, human. And we wouldn’t have it any other way. Enjoy!”
With their advance stream of the album, The Sleeping Shaman writes, “Forget polish, forget compromise, NOISEPICKER are here to burn it all down. This guitar-and-drums duo spits out raw, abrasive riffs and pounding rhythms with zero gloss and zero apologies. Their new album is a loud, filthy, rebellious blast straight from the underground as they don’t just make noise, they weaponize it and we’re giving you an exclusive first listen.”
Crush NOISEPICKER’s The Earth Will Swallow The Sun first at The Sleeping Shaman RIGHT HERE.
Exile On Mainstream will release The Earth Will Swallow The Sun this Friday, March 21st, digitally and on virgin Black Vinyl LP w/ bundled CD. Find preorders at the label webshop HERE and Bandcamp HERE, and find digital presaves HERE. Also watch the videos for “Tomorrow Lied The Devil” HERE, “What You Deserve” HERE, and “Chew” HERE.
NOISEPICKER is booking tour dates in support of The Earth Will Swallow The Sun, with more widespread touring coming together for the Summer months.
NOISEPICKER Live:
4/06/2025 The Black Heart – London, UK
“… a brilliant slice of dark eccentricity. Recalling in equal measure the more warped moments of Irish noiseniks Therapy?, Nick Cave and, at times, something of the claustrophobic magic of Chelsea Wolfe, it’s a jagged listen, a journey through life’s dark side via the medium of satisfyingly off-kilter riffs.” – KERRANG!
“Sans-bullshit heavy crunch? With a chorus? I know; be still my beating heart.” – The Obelisk
“Filled with moments that haul you back to your teenage years, where every band was an act of discovery, The Earth Will Swallow The Sun will leave you feeling inspired and excited, and not a little ashamed for having briefly lost your faith. I’m truly thankful that bands like NOISEPICKER exist, and I cannot recommend this album enough. 10/10” – Sonic Abuse
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https://www.mainstreamrecords.de
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