Detroit, MI-based grinders Shock Narcotic dropped their sophomore album “My Flesh Is Afraid But I Am Not” today, July 18th, via Phil Anselmo‘s Housecore Records. That outfit feature numerous veterans of the heavy music scene, including: Jeff Tuttle (ex-The Dillinger Escape Plan), Adam Jarvis (Pig Destroyer, Scour, etc.), Shawn Knight (Child Bite), and Don Slater (ex-Battlecross). A video for the song “Oblivion Licker” helps usher in this new effort. Tuttle commented of the album:
“Like the duality that the title suggests, ‘My Flesh Is Afraid But I Am Not‘ revels in incongruence and its creation was powered by the collision of opposing ideals. On the outside, the recording process was meticulous and driven by perfectionism, but on the inside, it was equally full of artistic doubt and performative insecurities. It represents confidence versus anxiety and depression. Pride and self-deprecation. It was a labor of love as much as it was an act of compulsion stemming from that musical voice in my head that can’t be turned off. In the end, all of that dissonance birthed a beast of a record. I truly feel like we made something special.”
Slater stated:
“Another masterpiece squeezed and distilled from the heads of Jeff and Shawn. Wisened from the first album, the songs on this album are unique in their own way yet retain the chaotic nature that I love about Shock Narcotic. The fact these fine gentlemen allowed me to ply my bass-ic abilities to their amalgamated insanity is nothing short of an honor. Incredibly proud of this record and the freedom it allowed.”
Jarvis added:
“When first asked to record the drums for the album, it blew my mind from the first listen. A bit different and ‘out of the box’ for me and had an absolute blast recording it. Diverse, intense, and a cohesive journey of madness is the best way to describe it.”
As for “Oblivion Licker“, Knight shared:
“The song is about feeling like everything is falling apart before your very eyes, accepting your reality and finding the strength to push through. It’s a pretty bleak, self-deprecating tune… but the takeaway is that in the end you are in control of how you react to life’s challenges. Embrace the absurdity of life, stop being your own worst enemy, laugh to keep from crying. Instead of bowing down to an early death, give it a smooch and move on.”
07/24 Detroit, MI – Sanctuary (“My Flesh Is Afraid But I Am Not” release show)
With Pantera & Amon Amarth:
07/25 Hershey, PA – Hersheypark Stadium
07/26 Wantagh, NY – Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
07/28 Saratoga Springs, NY – Broadview Stage at SPAC
07/29 Gilford, NH – BankNH Pavilion
