Formal Education in the Desert is the highly anticipated new album from Detroit post-punk band Protomartyr.
The follow-up to their critically acclaimed 2020 album Ultimate Success Today will be released on June 2nd, 2023 via Domino Records. The band also announced a North American and European tour in support of the album.
Protomartyr have been hailed as one of the most important post-punk bands of recent years, and their music is known for its dark, introspective intensity and powerful lyrics. The band consists of vocalist Joe Casey, guitarist Greg Ahee, bassist Scott Davidson, and drummer Alex Leonard.
They started out in 2008 and have since put out a number of acclaimed albums.
Formal Education in the Desert’s lead single was Make Way, which was accompanied by a music video directed by Trevor Naud. The video is a follow-up to the band’s 2020 Worm in Heaven video, both of which explore themes of loneliness and struggling to find meaning in a seemingly meaningless world. doing.
In a statement accompanying the album, Joe Casey said that the desert is an emotional desert, or a metaphor for a place and time that seems lifeless. suggests that the band explores the idea of learning and growing in a challenging and rewarding environment.
Below is a list of all the tracks on the album.
Protomartyr’s music is known for its intellectual and literary influences, and the band has been compared to bands such as Joy Division and The Fall. Her lyrics often touch on themes of social and political commentary, and her music has been described as raw and poetic.
Protomartyr
The band’s North American tour will kick off on June 16 in Chicago, while their European tour will begin on September 1 in Dublin. Fans of Protomartyr can expect a powerful and intense live show, with the band’s distinctive sound and Joe Casey’s commanding stage presence.
Protomartyr is known for their intense and brooding sound and powerful lyrics. They formed in 2008 and have released a string of highly regarded albums over the past decade.
Protomartyr’s music is influenced by a variety of sources, including literature, philosophy, and politics. Their lyrics often touch on themes of social and political commentary, and their music has been described as both raw and poetic.
The band’s debut album, No Passion All Technique, was released in 2012 to critical acclaim. The album was produced by J. Robbins, and its raw and uncompromising sound drew comparisons to the likes of Joy Division and The Fall. The band immediately followed up with the release of their second album, Under Color of Official Right, in 2014. The album continued to build on the band’s reputation for intelligent and powerful post-punk music.
In 2017, Protomartyr released their third album, Relatives in Descent. The album was recorded in their hometown of Detroit and was hailed as a masterpiece by critics. The album continued the band’s tradition of exploring themes of social and political commentary, and its dense and complex sound drew comparisons to the likes of Wire and Pere Ubu.
Protomartyr’s fourth album, Ultimate Success Today, was released in 2020. The album was taped in Los Angeles and featured guest appearances from several notable musicians, including Kelley Deal of The Breeders. The album earned acclaim for its powerful and thought-provoking lyrics and its experimental and ambitious sound.
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Post-Punk Band
Throughout their career, Protomartyr has established themselves as one of the most important post-punk bands of recent years. Their music is characterized by its intensity and intelligence, and their lyrics offer a powerful commentary on contemporary society.
The band’s live performances are known for their energy and intensity, and they have developed a dedicated following around the world.
Casey is the lead vocalist and lyricist of the band. He is known for his commanding stage presence and powerful lyrics that explore themes of social and political commentary.
Born and raised in Michigan, Casey’s early influences included punk rock and hardcore, as well as classic literature and philosophy. He has cited writers such as Franz Kafka, William Faulkner, and Samuel Beckett as major influences on his songwriting.
Casey’s lyrics are known for their dense and complex themes, exploring topics such as urban decay, politics, and the human condition. His writing is often described as poetic, with a distinctive voice that draws listeners in and challenges them to think deeply about the world around them.
Casey’s partnership with guitarist Greg Ahee has been a key part of Protomartyr’s success. The two have a close working relationship, with Ahee often crafting guitar riffs around Casey’s lyrics. The result is a powerful and intense sound that has won the band critical acclaim around the world.
Key Part of the Band
Greg Ahee is the lead guitarist and co-founder of band Protomartyr. His unique guitar playing has been a key part of the band’s sound since its inception in 2008.
Born and raised in Michigan, Ahee’s early influences included punk rock, jazz, and experimental music. He began playing guitar at a young age and quickly developed a distinctive style that incorporated elements of noise and dissonance.
Ahee’s partnership with vocalist Joe Casey has been central to the success of Protomartyr. The two have a close working relationship, with Ahee often crafting guitar riffs around Casey’s lyrics. The result is a powerful and intense sound that has won the band critical acclaim around the world.
Ahee’s playing is characterized by its raw energy and intensity. He is known for his use of distortion and feedback, as well as his ability to create intricate and melodic guitar lines that complement Casey’s lyrics. Ahee’s playing is often compared to that of legendary post-punk guitarists such as Gang of Four’s Andy Gill and Wire’s Colin Newman.
Formal Growth in the Desert:
01 Make Way
02 For Tomorrow
03 Elimination Dances
04 Fun in Hi Skool
05 Let’s Tip the Creator
06 Graft vs. Host
07 3800 Tigers
08 Polacrilex Kid
09 Fulfillment Center
10 We Know the Rats
11 The Author
12 Rain Garden
Photo: Pop Klub
