Legendary producer and artist John Fryer continue his collaborative Black Needle Noise project of releasing videos and singles that feature different vocalist from around the world by releasing his latest track “That Which Watches,” featuring the baritone stylings of Antic Clay.
The video that accompanied the track is a stark sepia-toned video that perfectly matches the roots and feel of the song. “That Which Watches” features Clay dressed in black and wearing a hat, he walks around a field staring into the camera holding the gaze of anyone watching.
In a press statement, Fryer commented on his thoughts on the track. “Like [the 2016 single] ‘Queen of Dust,’ I wanted ‘That Which Watches’ to have a kinda Alt-Country / Noir Americana feel to it so who best to get to sing it and add a bit of slide guitar, none other than Antic Clay. I originally got to hear about Antic Clay from [Swans vocalist] Jarboe who loves his voice and recommended I check him out. I liked what I heard and thought he could take the songs in the direction I was looking for and the rest is history.”
Antic Clay, who not only provided vocals but wrote the lyrics as well, adds, “My first impression when I heard John’s instrumental track was that its crackling opening strums and lo-fi piano clunks sounded like they were struggling to rise from some devastated electric saloon. Then the thing explodes into this sweeping and epic theme, blasting to the masses from an apocalyptic machine. I felt it had to go in that direction – something grand and dark haranguing you from the ancient pulpit. Not judging you; but assuring you, you’ll be judged. That which watches. Wants to be played loud.”
Black Needle Noise has previously released tracks featuring a diverse list of alternative vocalists including Mimi Page (Delirium), Jennie Ve (bassist of Hole), Ana Breton (Dead Leaf Echo), Omniflux (Puscifer), Kendra Frost (Kite Base), Andrea Kerr (Colt) among many others. Freyer responded to inviting so many artists to be part of this project by saying “I like to keep people guessing as to what will be released next, not only with sound but now with what language the song will be in.”
Fryer began his career in 1979 at London’s Blackwing Studio, and he started to work with seminal bands on the 4AD, Mute, Rough Trade and Beggars Banquet record labels, including Depeche Mode, The Wolfgang Press, and Cocteau Twins. He has worked with other acclaimed artists including Cradle of Filth, H.I.M., PRAYERS, Swans, and many others. Over the past two decades, he has also produced several film soundtracks, including Se7en, Clerks, Johnny Mnemonic, Mortal Kombat, Faust and Resident Evil: Apocalypse.
Watch “That Which Watches Below.”
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