Once a country/punk outfit, Las Vegas Wild West wrecking crew SpiritWorld have become one of the strangest death/thrash bands on the planet, and now with their third album ‘Helldorado’ they have taken things one step further. You can journey back out west with them on March 21st via Century Media.

Across the ten mean tracks that make up ‘Helldorado’, SpiritWorld indulges in metallic hardcore blitzes, worldweary country-punk stomps, and even a wistful, finger-picked lament. Frontman/founder Stu Folsom explains the diversity of the music: “This record, more so than the last two, I think you hear way more fearlessness and confidence in the choices. Things that were showing up as interludes have manifested into fully fleshed out pieces. At its heart, ‘Helldorado’ is a punishing, unrelenting masterclass in crossover and hardcore thrash. But in a scene where every riff has been played before and every great band has thirty contemporary acolytes mining their catalog and doing worship albums, there is something in the strangeness of ‘Helldorado’ that makes it endearing.”

Guests on the album include Sgah’gahsowáh (Black Braid), Zach Blair (Rise Against), and Frederic Leclercq (Kreator). Not a bad lineup by any stretch!

Folsom continues: “Maybe it is a risk to incorporate things that will be pretty far out there for the casual punk or metalhead, but having the opportunity to make a record comes with a responsibility to me. I dreamed of making records for so long. Way before I could play guitar or do any of the practical things you need to be able to do. I take it very seriously to follow my gut and let my style hang out on these records. I only want to do things in life that I am all in on. If that makes me an outcast or even more fringe than your average underground music act then that’s okay. The stench of being genuine is beautiful.” 

For one of the gnarliest albums of the year, you need to make room on your shelves pronto.

Pic by Jasmine Garcia.

Check out the video for lead single ‘Abilene Grime’ right here: