The Armed have successfully pulled off an elaborate ploy which they initiated over a year in advance. The mathy metalcore/experimental rock hybrid secretly printed the link and password for several tracks from their newly announced EP deep within the packaging for the vinyl release of their August 2023 album, “Perfect Saviors“. The group boldly banked on the assumption that few — if any — of their fans would be willfully tearing apart the record sleeve to find the big reveal.
Yesterday, September 16th, saw the band made the big reveal, sharing the below video on their social media, cryptically hinting at what awaits those willing to take the step to destroy the record sleeve.
THE GLORY OF DISCOVERY OUTWEIGHS THE COST OF DESTRUCTION. ?? pic.twitter.com/sLNzbKE0DF
— The Armed (@thearmed) September 16, 2024
And sure enough, hidden within the inner panels of the sleeve was a link, a password, and artwork leading to several songs tied to the band’s newly announced EP “Everlasting Gaze“. You can see the end result of that courtesy of user ‘SpookyFleas’ on X below:
This new six-song effort consists of self-described ‘c-sides’ from “Perfect Saviors“, and is meant to serve as a closing chapter of sorts to their latest trilogy of albums. With the veil surrounding the EP now dropped, a music video for the track “NEW! Christianity” has just gone up online. The band’s so-called secretive mastermind Dan Greene commented:
“‘NEW! Christianity‘ was originally conceived as the first single for Perfect Saviors — but when it was apparent that we had too much material for a single LP, this track became more of a summary statement appropriate for the finale Side C record and epilogue to the Only Love / Ultrapop / Perfect Saviors trilogy. In regards to its name, it’s less about specific, actual religion as it is about the culture thirsting for an avatar for it. The moralization of the amoral. A more overt repudiation of the concept of the ‘Perfect Savior‘ than a mere reflection on it.”
Vocalist Tony Wolski directed the below video that accompanies this newly shared track.
“Everlasting Gaze” track listing:
01 – “Puzzler”
02 – “NEW! Christianity”
03 – “Martyr Song”
04 – “Sport Of Form” (Water From Your Eyes Remix) (feat. Water From Your Eyes)
05 – “Sport Of Form” (Model/Actriz Remix) (feat. Model/Actriz)
06 – “Sport Of Form” (IDLES Remix) (feat. IDLES)
An October 18th release is set for “Everlasting Gaze” via Sargent House. Pre-orders are available through lnk.thearmed.com/everlasting-gaze. The Armed were recently forced to scrap their fall touring plans with Ho99o9 and more due to mounting financial issues. They will however be playing the following trio of festivals across the next month:
09/21 Chicago, IL – Riot Fest
09/28 Louisville, KY – Louder than Life
10/10 Sacramento, CA – Aftershock Festival
