Now over the Meds, it only makes sense that Placebo has moved on to such ginormous tasks, like a Battle For the Sun. Well, not literally, but that is what the English outfit will be doing once its sixth studio album hits record shelves on June 8th via PAIS.
When plans for Dave Bottrill-produced Battle For the Sun first surfaced back in January, the effort was said to feature a sound that is both heavy and psychedelic and drew influences from PJ Harvey and My Bloody Valentine, characteristics that certainly seem to still be the case. Per frontman Brian Molko via NME:
“We’ve made a record about choosing life, and choosing to live, about stepping out of the darkness and into the light. Not necessarily turning your back on the darkness because it’s there, it’s essential; it’s a part of who you are, but more about the choice of standing in the sunlight instead.”
So basically, darkness = heavy and sunlight = psychedelic. Or at least, that’s what it sounds like.
As mentioned, the release will Battle For the Sun will mark the band’s first release on PAIS. It will also be the first album to feature 22-year-old Californian Steve Forrest, who replaced Steve Hewitt on drums.
According to CHARTattack, Battle For The Sun will be released as a download, CD, limited-edition CD/DVD, LP and a limited special edition two-CD/two-DVD/LP “Deluxe Box Set” divided into two “books.” The special limited edition will feature the album along with two exclusive bonus tracks on one disc, while the second CD will be a blank that can be used by fans to take live tracks posted online from the band’s upcoming world tour and burn them onto the disc.
The album’s title track will be debuted later today on Zane Lowe’s BBC Radio 1 show.
Placebo 2009 Tour Dates:
05/29 – Hassleholm, SE @ Siesta! Festival
05/31 – Landgraaf, NL @ Pinkpop Festival
06/05 – Nurburgring, DE @ Rock Am Ring
06/12 – Seinajoki, FI @ Provinssirock
06/14 – Dores, UK @ RockNess Festival
06/20 – Nickelsdorf, AT @ Nova Rock Festival
06/21 – Bucharest, RO @ Romexpo
06/27 – Athens, GR @ Rockwave Festival
07/01 – Kristiansand, NO @ Quart Festival
07/02 – Werchter, BE @ Rock Werchter
07/03 – Arras, FR @ Arras Festival
07/05 – Gdynia, PL @ Heineken Open’er Festival
07/06 – Hradec Kralove, CZ @ Rock For People
07/10 – Oeiras, PT @ Optimus Alive! 09
07/11 – Bilbao, ES @ Bilbao Live Festival
07/18 – Villafranca Di Verona, IT @ Villafranca Castle
07/19 – Locarno, CH @ Moon And Stars Festival
08/07 – Tokyo, JP @ Summer Sonic Festival
