Melvins Tarantula Heart

The Melvins new album Tarantula Heart is like nothing the band has ever done before. Probably the best record they’ve ever recorded. Certainly one of their weirdest. The five song album centers around the mammoth 19-minute opening track “Pain Equals Funny” and the noise laden heavy hitter “Working the Ditch.”

In addition to the core three members, also appearing on the album are second drummer Roy Mayorga (Ministry, Soulfly, Stone Sour and Nausea) and We Are The Asteroid guitar player Gary Chester, who the Melvins recently toured with.

“The way we approached Tarantula Heart was different than any other Melvins’ album,” explains Buzz Osborne. “I had Dale and Roy Mayorga come in and play along with Steven and I to some riffs, then I took those sessions and figured out what parts would work and wrote new music to fit. This isn’t a studio approach we’ve ever taken. Usually we have the songs written before we start recording!”

Buzz often surprises fans and friends with the diverse influences that factor into his process; you’re just as likely to find him enjoying Judy Garland classics one moment and diving into the raw energy of The Birthday Party the next. Drawing inspiration from the legendary Miles Davis, a master of the improvisation studio approach which showcased the talent and creativity of his collaborators certainly influenced Osborne’s approach to Tarantula Heart.

Without question Tarantula Heart is a huge milestone for the Melvins. it’s rock solid sound wise and looks great with brilliantly executed cover art by Mackie Osborne.