Detroit proto-punk brother act Death have just released a brand new record, N.E.W., on their own imprint of Chicago-based Drag City, called Try Angle — you can buy the record and hear snippets of it here. There's also a full stream of it on this soundcloud link. This is their first new album's worth of material in 40 years!
To quote from the press release:
Since the discovery of Death in 2008 and the release of the archival LP For The Whole World To See, the story has been often told: three African-American brothers: David, Dannis and Bobby Hackney tapped into the surging energy of their hometown rock-and-roll scene (mid-70s Detroit) to produce a style and a set of songs that, while completely unappreciated in their day, proved later to be a powerful missing link in the evolution of punk rock - as was predicted by their leader, older brother David, on his deathbed ten years before their rediscovery. His stubborn insistence on keeping the name Death instead of signing a record contract under a more palatable name is, in itself, a defining act of true rebellion. The power, precision and passion of the music says everything else that need be said.
With live shows to large audiences and the release of 2 more archival records, it’s been an epic time since 2008. The release of the “A Band Called Death” documentary took the band farther into the public consciousness than it appeared even the music could. During this time, the question always asked was “will there be a new record?” And now with N.E.W., there is! Inspired by the positivity brought to them by ever-increasing numbers of new fans, the current performing Death (Bobby Hackney, Dannis Hackney, and Bobbie Duncan) completed several songs written back in the late 1970s by Bobby and David, as well as composing entirely new songs that continue the timeless vibe, feel and resolve of Death with remarkable drive and vigor. N.E.W presents a collection of songs that are true to the historic Death tradition of straight ahead rock ‘n’ roll via Detroit of the ‘70s. For many years after disbanding the original Death, Bobby and Dannis played different styles of music, but with the same deep spiritual investment. Bringing that spirit back to Death, their ability to make new songs in the same vein is fantastic.
