Genre-defying art rock collective Puscifer, the trio of (Maynard James Keenan, Mat Mitchell, and Carina Round) has unveiled “Pendulum,” the second preview from their forthcoming album Normal Isn’t, out February 6. The track and accompanying video continue the band’s magnetic exploration of their collective sound, their group’s identity, and combined performance.
“Pendulum” Sets a New Aesthetic
Directed by Alisa Akay and Mat Mitchell, the “Pendulum” video draws from the aesthetics of early ‘80s post-punk, draping the track’s imagery in shadow and surreal choreography. The clip introduces Bellendia Black, a new figure in the ever-expanding Pusciverse as an enigmatic, elegant, and hauntingly androgynous embodiment of the song’s gothic pulse.
Maynard James Keenan (lead vocals) describes the single as “a sonic sense memory” of Austin’s Club Iguana circa 1985, recalling “dark and moody dance floors” and “the smell of clove cigarettes.” The track’s Fairlight synths and echo-drenched vocals, Mat Mitchell (guitarist) adds, serve as an intentional nod to the era’s underground, an atmosphere that Carina Round (vocalist) calls “gorgeous synths coiling around sweet, twisted melodies while the world burns.”
“Pendulum” Gains Inertia
Following the acclaimed lead single “Self Evident”, which Revolver hailed as “dark-rumbled and fuzz-born,” while Consequence described as “hypnotic and instantly captivating.” “Pendulum” deepens the anticipation for Puscifer’s 11-track full-length. Written and recorded between Arizona, Los Angeles, and the road during their 2024 Sessanta tour, the album marks a new period of creative looseness and intensity. Lead vocalist Keenan frames the project in broader terms:
As storytellers and artists, our job is to observe, interpret, and report. We take in our environment and share what we see, and what we see around us does not appear normal. Not by a long shot” – Maynard James Keenan.
What Comes After “Pendulum”?
“Pendulum” is just the teaser for an exciting new era of Puscifer. Following the success of “Pendulum,” Puscifer released the accompanying album, Normal Isn’t on Feburary 6th. The group will also bring their intriguing, otherwordly vision to life beginning March 20 on their North American tour, with stops at iconic venues including New York’s Terminal 5, The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, and Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Tickets and VIP packages are available now at Puscifer.com.
For more than a decade, Puscifer has been one of modern rock’s most unpredictable forces: transforming every release into a living, breathing art project. From their conceptual characters and surreal live shows to collaborations with likeminded legends such as Trent Reznor, Phantogram, and Milla Jovovich, Puscifer continues to blur genres and boundaries. With Normal Isn’t, they reaffirm that being out of step with the times might just be their most honest rhythm.
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