Black Mountain performs at Black Cat on Nov. 13, 2019. (Photo by Ben Eisendrath/ Instagram+Twitter: Insomnigraphic/GrillworksBen)

Canadian psych-rockers ​Black Mountain performed at Black Cat recently during the band’s Horns Arising Tour to present new songs from Destroyer, the band’s fifth studio album. Ben Eisendrath went along to capture them in action.

On Nov. 13, Black Mountain played new songs like album lead single, ​“Future Shade,”​ which has a riff that “​traveled around the world then hit the bong with a chorus a year and a half later​,” as described by frontman ​Stephen McBean​. “​A last attempt at double frosting produced a chorus on chorus death match. Anxiety is the new heavy metal.​”

The band also played “Horns Arising,” which lent its title to the tour, from the new album.

Stream Destroyer by Black Mountain on Spotify:

Stephen gained a proper driver’s license only two years ago, so he made the new record about the wild freedom and independence (and anxiety and fear) that comes from the first time behind the wheel.

Destroyer, named after the discontinued single-run 1985 Dodge Destroyer muscle car, is structured around the feeling of driving a hot rod. The album exists in the middle of the early-to-mid 80s Los Angeles war between punk and hair metal — it’s exhilarating, spirited, and dangerous.

“Black Mountain have always been great at doing all the things that bongwater-gargling riff-monsters should be good at doing. They have titanic canyon-spanning hooks. They’ve got enough dynamic range to switch their style up a few times within the space of a single song… On ​Destroyer​, all of that is in very clear evidence. It’s enough to fill up your soul.” ​Stereogum said.

Sounds like an experience to investigate live! Check out Black Mountain’s website for details.

Here are some photos of Black Mountain performing at Black Cat on Nov. 13, 2019. All photos copyright and courtesy of Ben Eisendrath.