Ahead of the release of the forthcoming album, Ascend, London mystical-power trio Vodun return this week with a new video, described by director and British filmmaker Rosalind Jane of Dreamworld Video as a ‘moving collage’. Titled ‘New Doom’ the video and song features a cameo from Turbowolf frontman Chris Georgiadus.

“Since singing on the last two Turbowolf albums, I thought Chris wouldn’t mind performing a duet with me on our new album. As soon as I heard the driving chorus riff of ’New Doom', I knew that I wanted Chris’s vocals on the song,” explains frontwoman Chantal Brown (Oya). “It’s reminiscent of this dominating heavy fuzz bulldozer energy that Turbowolf bring, so it seemed fitting that we ask them to join us in song.

“The video was shot by Rosalind Jane, in Bristol, which is where Chris resides, so we thought we’d ask, and we’re so pleased it turned out so well,” continues Chantal. “He’s a natural performer, and his energy was just what the video needed. I also think having more people making a spectacle is often more entertaining to watch, so we are very happy with the end result. Chris’s transformation into a butterfly is something I didn’t know I needed to see, and I’m glad I did.”

Lyrically, ‘New Doom’ tackles the battles so many people endure through mental health issues and the struggles in life these bring. “Mental health challenges appear every day, and the people who fight these battles are constantly carrying a heavy load,” says Chantal. “It is important to remember our dark days, so we can appreciate the light. It is also just as important to remember our dark days so we can muster understanding and compassion for others, especially when they might need it most. This isn’t always easy. Finding new ways to gain strength to battle and avoid as many casualties as possible should be encouraged, even if you are channelling something a little beyond this realm.”

Witness Vodun come to life at the following dates in September 2018:

Thu 13 Sep         London               Oslo

Sat 15 Sep          Newcastle          Trillians

Tue 18 Sep         Manchester       Rebellion

Wed 19 Sep       Huddersfield      The Parish

Thu 20 Sep         Norwich              The Brickmakers

Fri 21 Sep           Birmingham       Asylum 2

Sat 22 Sep          Newport             Le Pub

Sun 23 Sep         Leeds                  Brudenell Social

Tue 25 Sep         Bristol                 The Crofters Rights

Wed 26 Sep       Exeter                 The Cavern

Fri  28 Sep          Brighton             Sticky Mikes

This autumn, Arc Iris releases Icon Of Ego, their third groundbreaking album, as a trio that packs the heft of a far bigger band with fully realised sonic and visual intensity. Overcoming rebuffs and rejections, Arc Iris has become an unstoppable force out of necessity. On Icon Of Ego, they deliver heavily and ask nothing in return. The group’s two previous albums, Arc Iris and Moon Saloon, were both released to critical acclaim.

Originally formed in Providence, R.I., by singer-songwriter Jocie Adams who was coming off a term with The Low Anthem, the group initially embodied an eight-piece rock orchestra, creating innovative dynamics of rhythm and melody with a full colour palette. Four years on, Arc Iris are just three musicians: lead vocalist Adams, keyboardist and sample artist Zach Tenorio-Miller, and drummer Ray Belli. They have crafted a vividly expressionistic new album that reflects both the group’s protean talents as well as its journey of survival.

Soon after its self-named 2014 debut on the ANTI- label, Arc Iris faced considerable adversity. Critical acclaim, tours with St. Vincent, Jeff Tweedy, and festivals like Bonnaroo followed, all creating the belief that they had beaten the long music industry odds. However, the group lost its manager, followed by its booking agent, then was dropped from the label. Band members departed. Opportunities evaporated. Through it all, Adams, Tenorio-Miller and Belli worked with undiminished energy and reinvented themselves as a quartet, which included Robin Ryczek on cello. Within two years, Arc Iris self-released Moon Saloon. Soon after this release, Ryczek left to teach cello in Afghanistan, and the three remaining members, once again, set about adapting. Arc Iris assembled its own promotions team and booked its own shows. Notable is what Arc Iris has achieved completely by itself: tours supporting Kimbra, Gene Ween, a complete re-imagination of Joni Mitchell’s Blue performed at Washington’s Kennedy Center, and a growing, international fan base that has remained dedicated throughout.

Icon Of Ego finds a happy middle with a smaller label, a more focused support team, and a stronger, more experienced band. Recording at Providence’s Columbus Theater, home to silent movies and vaudeville during the ‘20s, the band has evolved into a concentrated pop-prog explosion, mixing styles with disparate elements that captivate and surprise.

The group has always embraced theatricality. Displaying an array of costumes, flare, and light rigs, enhanced by choreographed dance moves, an Arc Iris live performance is a proper spectacle that matches the group’s manifest musical abilities and talents. A whole new live experience accompanies the Icon Of Ego performances. With heavy synthesizer work by Tenorio and Adams, and seemingly impossible transitions executed effortlessly by Belli, the songs on Icon of Ego carry a thick, analogue electronic sound that harks back to the ‘70s. Presiding over these are Adams’ powerful vocals that house the energy under pop forms.

Icon of Ego track list:

1. $GNMS

2. Dylan & Me

3. If You Can See

4. Turn It Up

5. Icon of Ego

6. Chattermachines

7. Beautiful Minds

8. Everybody's Counting on Her

9. Suzy

10. Tokyo (bonus track)