After numerous shifting lineups, Marah has finally settled into a groove with its current incarnation as a six-piece for its sixth record, “Angels of Destruction!”
The 11-song set was recorded in Nashville and Brooklyn, N.Y., and is due this week via Yep Roc. Guitarist/vocalist David Bielanko says the group pared the album down from 34 songs cut during the sessions.
“When we put this version of the band together, everyone was just good at showing up and playing,” Bielanko says. “We’d just come back from Spain, and it felt like we were six best friends. This time we understand each other, in a way.”
Although Marah has relied on a guitar-heavy approach in the past, “Angels” sees the group exploring new sounds and arrangements, culminating with the 10-minute closer, “Wilderness.” “Initially, we thought that one was a joke,” Bielanko says. “It’s a weird kind of song, but I guess we’re lucky we’re in that position where we can try those sorts of things.”