Lightning Bolt

Over the course of its two-decade existence,
Lightning Bolt has revolutionized underground rock in immeasurable ways. The
duo broke the barrier between stage and audience by setting themselves up on
the floor in the midst of the crowd. Their momentous live performances and the
mania they inspired paved the way for similar tactics used by Dan Deacon and
literally hundreds of others. Similarly, the band’s recordings have always been
chaotic, roaring, blown out documents that sound like they could destroy even
the toughest set of speakers. Fantasy Empire, Lightning Bolt’s sixth album and
first in five years, is a fresh take from a band intent on pushing themselves
musically and sonically while maintaining the aesthetic that has defined not
only them, but an entire generation of noisemakers. It marks many firsts, most
notably their first recordings made using hi-fi recording equipment at the
famed Machines With Magnets, and their first album for Thrill Jockey. More than
any previous album, Fantasy Empire sounds like drummer Brian Chippendale and
bassist Brian Gibson are playing just a few feet away, using the clarity
afforded by the studio to amplify the intensity they project. Every frantic
drum hit, every fuzzed-out riff, sounds more present and tangible than ever
before.

Fantasy Empire is ferocious, consuming, and is a more accurate translation of
their live experience. It also shows Lightning Bolt embracing new ways to make
their music even stranger. More than any previous record, Chippendale and
Gibson make use of live loops and complete separation of the instruments during
recording to maximize the sonic pandemonium and power. Gibson worked with
Machines very carefully to get a clear yet still distorted and intense bass
sound, allowing listeners to truly absorb the detail and dynamic range he
displays, from the heaviest thud to the subtle melodic embellishments. Some of
these songs have been in the band’s live repertoire since as early as 2010, and
have been refined in front of audiences for maximum impact. This is heavy,
turbulent music, but it is executed with the precision of musicians that have
spent years learning how to create impactful noise through the use of dynamics,
melody, and rhythm.

Fantasy Empire has been in gestation for four years, with some songs having
been recorded on lo-fi equipment before ultimately being scrapped. Since Early
Delights was released, the band has collaborated with the Flaming Lips multiple
times, and continued to tour relentlessly. 2013 saw the release of All My
Relations by Black Pus, Chippendale’s solo outlet, which was followed by a
split LP with Oozing Wound. Chippendale, an accomplished comic artist and
illustrator, created the Fantasy Empire’s subtly ominous album art, and will
release an upcoming book of his comics through respected imprint Drawn and
Quarterly. Brian Gibson has been developing the new video game Thumper, with
his own company, Drool, which will be released next year. And, of course,
Lightning Bolt will be touring the US in 2015.