ECHO PALACE/POCHETTE GATEFOLD

Description

After the pandemic hit and people around the world became distrustful of one another, Iguana Death Cult, one of Europe's most exciting rock exports, became more than just a band for its members - it became therapy. "I think the first ten times we went to play," says guitarist/singer Tobias Opschoor, speaking about the creation of the new album Echo Palace, "we just drank wine and talked for hours, then we said to each other, 'Okay, I have to go because I have to work tomorrow.'" Taking place at singer Jeroen Reek's apartment in Rotterdam, these gatherings slowly shifted from discussing this surreal chapter of their lives - the days of quiet streets and cramped buildings - to making music about it. Armed with the talents of Justin Boer on bass and Arjen van Opstal on drums, and tapping into the keyboard work of Jimmy de Kok for the first time on the album, the band expanded their melodic garage-rock style to make it more vibrant and loose, with each member contributing their ideas to fully develop the sound palette. When it came time to record the album, the band went to PAF Studio in Rotterdam, then it was mixed by Joo-Joo Ashworth (Sasami, Dummy) at Studio 22 in Los Angeles and mastered by Dave Cooley (Tame Impala, Yves Tumor). The album is a big swing, stretching Iguana Death Cult beyond its garage rock roots and taking them into a new realm. The final result of Echo Palace is a suitably worldly album from a band pushing the boundaries of their home country.