Charlotte Varcoe
ALTERNATIVE metal band Pridelands has released its debut album ‘Light Bends’ after years in the making.
Originally from Mount Gambier, the five-piece band has produced a well-blended mix of heavy and soft songs for the album.
Since moving to Melbourne, the band has released a variety of EPs before spending a number of years developing the new album.
Signed with Sharptone Records and Resist Records, guitarist Liam Fowler said the band members were excited to finally release the album.
“We wanted a more balanced and not heavy album and we also wanted to express more vocal range than previously,” Mr Fowler said.
“One of the songs on the album was our first demo in 2017 and after we finished recording our last EP that was really the beginning of it.”
The album took the band five years to complete with Mr Fowler stating it was an exciting time.
“We have been sitting on it for about 18-months because it was one of those things where you only have to do a debut album once and we wanted to get it right,” he said.
“We were forced to be patient and wanted to get the album out there but it was a matter of doing it once.”
He said the inspiration for the songs came from a range of different areas with all band members contributing.
“It is hard to pinpoint where the inspiration comes from as some of it came from our drummer, some came from our vocalists and all in all it is just a mix of different flavours,” Mr Fowler said.
“The main influence from all of us was that we wanted to be 100 per cent authentically us and what felt right rather than forcing something.
“If we were trying to force something it wouldn’t be the right thing to do in the first place.”
Since leaving Mount Gambier, the band has been on numerous national tours and released a catalogue of singles and EPs.
“We have played at Unify, and we will be playing again in the coming months as well as going on our first album tour,” Mr Fowler said.
“It will be really cool and exciting to be able to go back and play in front of people again.”
The album is available for listening on streaming services with vinyls also available for purchase.
