Coliseum are headed into the studio this week to begin tracking their new album with producer J. Robbins (Clutch, The Sword). Band frontman/guitarist Ryan Patterson gave the following update regarding it:
“Hello all. It has been quite some time since a Coliseum update…
This week we travel to Baltimore, Maryland, to begin recording our fourth album with our friend and collaborator J. Robbins at the new location of his Magpie Cage studio. The Magpie Cage moved this month from its original address to the building that once housed Baltimore’s legendary Oz Recordings. Oz‘s storied history includes the recording of For Your Own Special Sweetheart, the masterpiece by J.‘s former band Jawbox; Shudder To Think‘s major label debut Pony Express Record; and the majority of Girls Against Boys‘ classic catalog. Coliseum will be the first band to record with J. in this location, and to say that we are honored and humbled is an understatement.
In the nearly two and a half years since the release of House With A Curse, we have continued to travel the globe playing the music we love, be it to audiences of thousands while supporting Rise Against in Europe, or touring with a band like Boris that has carved a unique path that serves as an inspiration to us, or while headlining our own tours in clubs and DIY spaces. We also shared a split 7″ of Misfits covers with Superchunk (one of my favorite bands since I was a teenager), recorded and released a live split LP with our tour mates and long-time friends Burning Love, and issued the 8-song Parasites EP.
Since late 2011, we have mostly stayed home, working steadily on the music for the next album and taking much needed time off from touring to spend time with family and friends. As 2012 progressed, it turned out to be a dark year. After seven years in the band, we sadly had to part ways with our bassist Mike Pascal in late April. In June, my family suffered a shocking and devastating loss that continues to be difficult for me and those closest to me. Then, in early August, my friend and Louisville fixture Jason Noble passed away after three years of valiantly battling cancer. Jason touched many people via his bands Shipping News, Rachel’s, and Rodan, and was one of the most inspiring and wonderful people on the planet. He lent his voice to many songs on House With A Curse, and we are thankful to have had him as part of that record and experience.
Despite the sadness and mortality that hung heavy this year, the band continued forward with fervor. While the new songs don’t shy away from dark lyrical and musical themes, reflection and grieving turned into passion and creative joy, even when addressing our deepest pain and darkest fears. It seems that we are about to record what is possibly our most impassioned, dynamic, and energetic record thus far.
Coliseum remains a vital outlet for us — a wonderful part of our lives and certainly one of the driving forces in my life over the past decade. We have been very fortunate to have Carter‘s lifelong friend Kayhan Vaziri join us as our new bass player. He kept us moving ahead at full steam, and has already added to the band in innumerable ways. We are all incredibly excited about the new songs, working with J. on this album, and all that the future holds. Thank you for your continued support… It means the world to us.
Ryan / Coliseum“
