Rival Sons Tease 'Lightbringer' LP With New Single Mercy
Friday, 22 September 2023
Written by Jon Stickler
Photo: Patrik Skoglöw
Rival Sons have released a new single, Mercy.
Exploding with energy and groove, showcasing hulking riffs and powerful, soulful vocals, it marks the latest taster of the Long Beach rockers' new album, 'Lightbringer', a companion release to 'Darkfighter', which arrived in June.
The new LP was announced back in January and was recorded during the same 2021 sessions as 'Darkfighter', with long-time producer Dave Cobb. Out on October 20, it was previously teased with the single, Sweet Life. Vocalist Jay Buchanan said of the new cut:
"It’s so conductive, the way trauma moves from person to person. Anger moves like electricity in a similar way, once it gets inside you it immediately seeks transmission to latch onto someone or something else. The verses have this cyclical friction to them and it brought this to mind; inherited trauma and its vicious, silent grip. Breaking these cycles begins with recognition and I wanted to sing about that. Try a little mercy, mercy never lets you down."
Guitarist Scott Holiday added: "It’s time to reveal yet another track (the last before release day!) from 'Lightbringer'! This round, we are sharing the song entitled: Mercy. A song that deals with internal struggle and trying to connect with our ‘higher’ selves... to turn that energy within the struggle into something better. Musically, this was a song I started very early in the writing process... Working with a similar tone that I used on the track Mirrors from 'Darkfighter'. Yet, we didn’t complete this song until the end of recording all the others. Like so many of the riffs I write, I hear the drums / groove immediately, and it’s equally important / integral to the riff. Miley delivers a pretty deadly and infectious groove to accompany my guitar. One of the coolest drum / riff moments of both records in my opinion. I love the minimalism Jay attacks the song with. Really drives the message home for me. Also, an inspired guitar solo, which I cut at home in my own studio. Please enjoy Mercy."
The Grammy-nominated band will bring The Darkfighter Tour to the UK and Europe this autumn.
'Lightbringer' tracklist:
1. Darkfighter
2. Mercy
3. Redemption
4. Sweet Life
5. Before The Fire
6. Mosaic
Rival Sons Upcoming Tour Dates are as follows
Fri October 13 2023 - LONDON Roundhouse
Sat October 14 2023 - NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE NX
Mon October 16 2023 - GLASGOW Barrowland
Tue October 17 2023 - BIRMINGHAM O2 Academy Birmingham
Wed October 18 2023 - MANCHESTER Academy
Fri October 20 2023 - CAMBRIDGE Corn Exchange
Sat October 21 2023 - BRISTOL O2 Academy Bristol
Sun October 22 2023 - SOUTHAMPTON O2 Guildhall Southampton
Tue October 24 2023 - ST HERBLAIN La Carriere (France)
Wed October 25 2023 - LYON Le Radiant (France)
Fri October 27 2023 - PARIS Olympia (France)
Sat October 28 2023 - LAUSANNE Les Docks (Switzerland)
Sun October 29 2023 - MILAN Alcatraz (Italy)
Tue October 31 2023 - VIENNA Gasometer (Austria)
Wed November 01 2023 - ZURICH XTra (Switzerland)
Thu November 02 2023 - MUNICH Theaterfabrik (Germany)
Sat November 04 2023 - PRAGUE Lucerna Music Bar (Czech Republic)
Sun November 05 2023 - WARSAW Klub Stodola (Poland)
Mon November 06 2023 - POZNAN Music Club B17 (Poland)
Wed November 08 2023 - BERLIN Huxleys Neue Welt (Germany)
Thu November 09 2023 - AMSTERDAM Melkweg (Netherlands)
Fri November 10 2023 - COLOGNE Kantine (Germany)
Sun November 12 2023 - BRUSSELS Ancienne Belgique (Belgium)
Mon November 13 2023 - HAMBURG Grosse Freiheit (Germany)
Tue November 14 2023 - COPENHAGEN Grey Hall (Denmark)
Thu November 16 2023 - BERGEN Forum Scene (Norway)
Fri November 17 2023 - OSLO Sentrum Scene (Norway)
Sat November 18 2023 - STOCKHOLM BK (Sweden)
Mon November 20 2023 - HELSINKI House of Culture (Finland)
Tue November 21 2023 - TAMPERE Tampere Hall (Finland)
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