I might just be getting lazy when it comes to seeking out new music, but recent Lantern releases are among the few new recordings that manage to keep Vol. 4 and Sabbath Bloody Sabbath off my platter. Their new tape Dream Mine (Bathetic Records) does not disappoint, and as the heavy metal thunder of a rumbling bike gives way to the violent fuzz of “Out of Our Heads” and frontman Zachary Fairbrother’s distinctive snarl, it clicks that I’m in for another black leather rock n’ roll ride courtesy of the Philadelphia shredders. The tape is rock through and through, but Lantern aren’t just straight up traditionalists. The music here has a violent and modern edge that is less golden age rock n’ roll and more abandoned factories, crumbling freeways, and decaying social order. Thrashing tracks like “Out of Our Heads” and “The Dogs” are interspersed with atmospheric numbers like the minimal ambient track “Fool’s Gold”, the infectious electronic pulse of “Untitled”, and the blackened blend of dirty garage rock and industrial noise on “You Can’t Deny Me (Revisited)”.

Lantern – Out Of Our Heads (right click + save as)

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Lantern – Untitled (right click + save as)

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

 —

Scope out the killer artwork and order yourself a copy of this tape today (also on bandcamp) and make sure to check out the old school video that Zach and Emily put together for for the blues injected closer “Train Song”:

 —

If you’re curious about Lantern’s early recordings, including those (re)issued on Night People, enjoy the unrefined class of Burned Youth :