Welcome back, Porcupine Tree! The progressive rock outfit initially launched by Steven Wilson are back together, having recently worked on a new album with the first song “Harridan” arriving for listeners today (Nov. 1).
As stated, there is a new album in the works, with Porcupine Tree set to drop Closure / Continuation on June 22 of next year via Music For Nations / Megaforce Records. This will be the band’s first new release since their 2009 album The Incident.
As for the new song, it clocks in at just over eight minutes in length, taking listeners on a journey that kicks off with funky bass, jutting and pulsing rhythms and crashing drums, before a melodic mid-section allows the outfit to reset and finish out the song in a more crushing and heavy style with swinging guitar and tribal beats.
“‘Harridan’ and a few of the other new songs have been in play since shortly after the release of The Incident,” reveals the band. “They initially lived on a hard drive in a slowly growing computer file marked PT2012, later renamed PT2015, PT2018, and so on. There were times when we even forgot they were there, and times when they nagged us to finish them to see where they would take us.”
They continue, “Listening to the finished pieces, it was clear that this wasn’t like any of our work outside of the band – the combined DNA of the people behind the music meant these tracks were forming what was undeniably, unmistakably, obviously a Porcupine Tree record. You’ll hear all of that DNA flowing right through ‘Harridan.’”
Dig into the lyrics and take a listen to the song below and if you like what you hear, the track is available here.
Porcupine Tree, “Harridan” Lyrics
Gold man bites down on a silver tongue
Takes a deep breath and blows the candle out
He knows the truth but he keeps it to himself
Here it is
You can only save yourself
Only yourselfWhen we bite the dust
We will hide our cuts from the world
When you’re in the dirt
You don’t show your hurt to the worldCold man, white knuckles on the wheel
Well it’s all just there to steal
You just gotta take it
Take it like the harridan you areIt’s the time of the almost rain without you
I am in debt to night
And gone to earth for love
And I, a shadow
And what of us?
Porcupine Tree, “Harridan”
As for the Closure / Continuation album, as stated, it’s now due on June 24, 2022. Fans will be able to pick it up on standard CD, standard black vinyl 2×12” LP, white vinyl 2×12” LP, transparent blue vinyl 2×12” LP, and white cassette. In addition, a limited audiophile deluxe LP will also be available, cut at 45rpm on 3×12” clear vinyl in 12” slipcase box with two bonus tracks; a limited audiophile deluxe CD in 12” slipcase box will include the standard CD, a second disc with three bonus tracks and instrumentals, Blu-ray disc with 5.1/Dolby Atmos and HD audio versions of the album, and an exclusive album art book. Pre-orders are available now at this location.
Though a track listing has not been revealed, the album artwork can be viewed below. You can also look for Porcupine Tree returning to the road in 2022, with a European trek already booked. See the dates below and get ticketing info here.
Porcupine Tree, Closure / Continuation Album Artwork
Porcupine Tree 2022 U.K. + European Tour
Oct. 21 – Berlin, DE @ Max Schmelinghalle
Oct. 23 – Vienna, AU @ Gasometer
Oct. 24 – Milan, IT @ Forum
Oct. 27 – Stockholm, SW @ Globe
Oct. 28 – Copenhagen, DK @ Falkoner Theatre
Oct. 30 – Katowice, PO @ Spodek Hall
Nov. 2 – Paris, FR @ Le Zenith
Nov. 4 – Stuttgart, DE @ Porsche Arena
Nov. 6 – Oberhausen, DE @ KP Arena
Nov. 7 – Amsterdam, NL @ Ziggodome
Nov. 9 – Zurich, CH @ Halle 622
Nov. 11 – London, UK @ SSE Arena, Wembley
