Puscifer have unleashed “Pendulum,” the second track from their upcoming album Normal Isn’t, out Feb. 6. The new single arrives with a striking video that channels the eerie allure of the 1980s post-punk underground, introducing a new character to the ever-expanding Pusciverse: Bellendia Black, a ghostly vision of elegance and melancholy wrapped in black fabrics and moonlit mystery.
“The dramatic and romantic nature of this track induces a sonic sense memory that transports me back to the dark and moody dance floor of Club Iguana, Austin, TX, circa 1985,” says Maynard James Keenan. “I can almost smell the clove cigarettes.”
Mat Mitchell adds, “Featuring Fairlight and reverb-soaked vocals, ‘Pendulum’ is a nod to the ’80s dark underground,” while Carina Round calls it “gorgeous synths coiling around sweet, twisted melodies while the world burns.” The trio’s haunting chemistry turns the track into a surreal blend of beauty and unease, embodying Puscifer’s signature balance of humor, danger, and cinematic sound.
The band first previewed Normal Isn’t with “Self Evident,” praised by Revolver as “a dark-rumbled and fuzz-born missive,” by Stereogum as “gnarly,” and by Consequence as “an absolutely hypnotic song… instantly captivating.” The new record, written and recorded across Arizona, Los Angeles, and on the road during last year’s Sessanta tour, expands that vision with raw guitars and an unfiltered edge. “We got rid of the guard rails and made the music more aggressive,” says Mitchell.
Keenan explains, “Normal Isn’t reflects this time we are living in. 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.” With contributions from Greg Edwards, Gunnar Olsen, Sarah Jones, Tony Levin, Danny Carey, and Mr. Ian Ross, Normal Isn’t promises to be Puscifer’s boldest experiment yet—a haunting mirror of our strange modern world.