And now for something quite different, but very cool. It, of course, is a New Release Friday – so be sure to add The Earth Will Swallow The Sun to your playlist for the day! (I made it easy for you as always… it’s embedded below.) The second album from the curious post-rock doom project Noisepicker is officially out through Exile On Mainstream Records. Led by singer and guitarist Harry Armstrong (Orange Goblin and many more) and drummer Kieran Murphy, this effort comes seven years after their debut Peace Off. It’s bonkers. And you’re going to love it. Harry was cool enough to complete our Profile questions, so take the jump and learn more about this project while listening along. It’s worth it.

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How and when did you first get into playing music, or metal more specifically, and how did your band get its start? Any pushback from family/those close to you?

It’s been a life long fascination. Some of my earliest memories are just playing for hours with an old reel-to-reel tape machine my dad had. It amazed me how the sound could be captured and played back at varying speeds. That shit blew my tiny mind! Music was always around, although mostly in a classical capacity in the house I grew up in, and my desire to create was fully formed way before I even understood the concept of being in a band. By the time I got around to that, I was buried in the underground death metal tape trading scene and loved how DIY everything was. I quit school and got a job so I could buy a bass guitar and I haven’t stopped yet! My dad thought what I was doing was just a worthless load of noise. He may have been right, but the places I’ve seen and the people I’ve met, just through toying with noise – it’s priceless to me!

How would you describe your band and what you play to someone who is completely in the dark?

Doom punk blues! Riffs steeped in darkness. Voices dragged from the grave. Blended awkwardly with a strangely lovable groove!

Is there one (or more) thing about your latest album or about your band that no one will find in any interview or review that you care to divulge?

When you here Kieran shout “FUCKING SEAMLESS” at the end of the title track, it’s because we hadn’t finished writing it before the recording, so it’s actually 2 takes glued together. But don’t nobody tell no one, y’hear?

Any funny stories from playing shows / tours / festivals, etc?

I once fell out of the back of the van as I was laughing too hard. Smoke in one hand, beer in the other. Had to save both. Head took the weight of the fall. Once everyone else stopped laughing even harder, they noticed the blood pouring out of my head. We made it to the hospital, got me stitched up and made it to the gig the following night. I’ve never been the same since!

What do you see as some of the great things happening in and around the metal scene (yours or just in general) and what are some of the worst things happening right now?

I’m seeing a re-return to a lot more underground gigs. Shit is getting crazy expensive, including going to gigs, but this seems to be creating a very healthy DIY attitude, and free-entry gigs are popping up in some very cool places. You just gotta know where to look!

Most folks have passions for a cause or causes that are close to them. What, if any, are some of the most important issues (social/political/humorous/etc.) for you / your band and how do you insert those issues into your music?

We’re passionate about honesty and the truth. And the ability to listen to anothers truth without exploding a few arteries. This world – or at least the humans that populate it – has always been fucking crazy, but right now it’s off the charts. We preach love and understanding, but we sing only of bitterness and bloodstains in the hope that the darkness leads to the dawn.

Do you guys have day jobs or hobbies you want to share?

Music is our life, but we have to work. The idea of making a living from music is so far removed from what we do that we have to find other means of putting fuel in our tanks. It’s not a very work-friendly pastime though, so we just do whatever we can between gigs to make ends meet. I switch around all the time. Graphic designer one day, refuse collector the next. Whatever it takes to afford new guitar strings.

What advice do you have for music critics and outlets out there? How can we all better serve the genre in the eyes of a hard-working musician?

Find something you believe in, and shout about it as hard as you can. There are way too many musicians that are in it for the glory, and there’s more than a few critics whose main intention is promoting themselves. All these people need to fuck off.

Any specific long term goal(s) in mind?

Stay alive long enough to make another record. Then do another one!

When you’re not obsessing over your own material, what are some of your favorite albums to listen to currently?

I’ve been trying to label my personal tastes for decades. The running thread seems to be punk rock, but more in attitude than sound – although it needs that attitude to create the sound. I love Tom Waits as much as Twisted Sister. King Crimson as much as Kyuss. Motorhead as much as Mavis Staples. Great music comes from the heart. Been enjoying a band called Giant Walker lately – especially their “All In Good Time” album.

What is the near future outlook for you or your band? Any specific events on the horizon that the masses should be aware of?

The new album comes out in March and we’re now working on how to make the next one kick this one in the teeth! We’re working on a few live dates too. Stuff is in the works and we will be announcing a few bits VERY soon.

Summarize your band in one word.

Discombobulated.

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Many thanks to Harry and Noisepicker for the time!

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 The Earth Will Swallow The Sun is out through Exile On Mainstream Records. For more information and to keep in touch with Noisepicker, head over to their website.