Canadian hardcore punk veterans Cancer Bats have put out a new single by the name of “Stay Stuck“, complete with the following Mitch Barnes-directed music video. You can expect to find that track on the band’s just announced eighth studio album, “Give Me Dirt“, which they intend to release on August 07th through Bat Skull Records/New Damage Records/Marshall Records.
Vocalist Liam Cormier opened up on the inspiration behind this new single from the effort, offering:
“‘Stay Stuck‘ was such a fun song for us to write. It was one of the first songs that we finished while working on the new record and we really all felt like we had tapped into the classic Cancer Bats bouncy fun element we’ve had in songs since the beginning. The lyrics explore the idea that, at any age or moment in life, we all reach a point where we realize something has to change.
Maybe it’s the path we’re on, or just the way we see things, but there’s that instant where we say to ourselves, I’M NOT WASTING ANY MORE TIME! We’re all moving towards something bigger, chasing goals and dreams that the world can’t take away from us. That’s what keeps us going.”
As for the rather blue collar Canadian visuals that accompany the track, Cormier stated:
“The idea is that we were always having fun and staying positive in those jobs thinking of the future that we knew was coming for us. I think lots of times those jobs can feel like a grind and we wanted to look more at the fun times and how it’s really just that stepping stone to really living your dreams. Cancer Bats as a band also just really like an excuse to make fun and funny music videos so that was our whole thinking for the concept. A great cinematic vehicle for us to all have a really good time.”
“Give Me Dirt” was recorded with Converge‘s Kurt Ballou producing at his God City Studios in Salem, MA, with Zach Weeks also behind the boards. Vocal tracks were recorded with Ian Romano manning the controls at Camera Varda Studios in Welland, ON.
A press release shed a bit more light on what motivated the band during the writing and recording of this effort:
‘Inspired by a year of travel, ‘Give Me Dirt‘ unfolds as both an outward and inward journey, grounded in a deep connection to nature. The songs explore leaving urban life behind, processing personal loss, and confronting environmental devastation, while also reflecting on lessons drawn from the natural world.
Motorcycle travel forms another central thread on ‘Give Me Dirt‘. From riding through the harsh conditions of the Canadian Rockies to a transformative journey in the mountains of Nepal just before recording, these experiences shaped the album’s perspective.
The overarching theme of returning to nature and re-connecting with the physical world, also provided inspiration for the album’s artwork. Instead of using digital tools, Cormier created a giant 4 foot by 8 foot mixed-media painting for the front and back covers. Using materials like paint, paper, stencils and drywall mud, he incorporated whatever he could get his hands on to build a large-scale, tactile piece. A second artwork of similar size was created for the liner notes featuring handwritten lyrics, collages, and similar paints and stencils used on the cover.’
Cormier went on to add of his aforementioned art:
“So many people I find are so sick of AI these days and all things that look too polished. I wanted the artwork to capture the energy of the album but also represent us as a band, we are rough and dirty, our sound is loud and a mix of so many influences. Making art like this felt like such a good visual representation of not only the songs, but also Cancer Bats ourselves.”
“Give Me Dirt” features four guest appearances, including Nate Newton (Converge, Cave In, etc.) on the opening track “World Wide Fire Death Race“. Chris Creswell appears on “Bright Eyes Of Gold“, Brooklyn Doran can be heard on “Long Tooth” and Death By Stereo‘s Efrem Schulz graces the closing track, “Fools Like You“.
“Give Me Dirt” track listing:
01 – “World Wild Fire Death Race” (feat. Nate Newton)
02 – “Stay Stuck“
03 – “Don’t Trip“
04 – “Bright Eyes of Gold” (feat. Chris Creswell)
05 – “Give Me Dirt“
06 – “Long Tooth” (feat. Brooklyn Doran)
07 – “Speed Wizard“
08 – “Ocean Crash“
09 – “Positive Grid“
10 – “Prognosis“
11 – “Fools Like You” (feat. Efrem Schulz)
For pre-orders, see dinealonestore.com (Canada) and cancerbats.ochre.store (rest of world.)
