Puscifer has released the official video for its latest single, “Bad Wolf,” coinciding with the arrival of the band’s new album Normal Isn’t, out now. The animated clip was directed by AF Schepperd and premieres alongside the trio’s first full-length project in five years.
Keenan drew thematic inspiration for “Bad Wolf” from folklore. “Oral Tradition, the practice of passing down legends, myths, and metaphors, has always fascinated me,” he said. “The stories contain history, important lessons, values, social contracts and the like. One of my favorites has always been the Cherokee tale of the Two Wolves. This story serves as a metaphor for our inner battle between good/wise/loving choices and poor/selfish/hateful choices. The wolf that thrives is the wolf you feed.”
Normal Isn’t reunites Maynard James Keenan, Mat Mitchell, and Carina Round, and also includes contributions from Greg Edwards on bass, Gunnar Olsen and Sarah Jones on drums, with additional appearances by Tony Levin, Danny Carey. Written and recorded in Arizona, Los Angeles, and during last year’s Sessanta tour, the album keeps the band’s signature dark electronic textures and wit but adopts a looser, more urgent creative approach. As Mitchell explained, the group aimed for something rawer and more aggressive by stripping away limitations and letting the guitars lead. He also noted the broader perspective behind the album’s title: “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.”
In addition to the album release, the band hosted more than 90 screenings at independent record stores for its new concert film, Normal Isn’t: Puscifer Live at the Pacific Stock Exchange. The movie captures the first live performance of the album, staged inside Los Angeles’ historic former stock exchange building—an art deco landmark often rumored to be haunted. The performance showcases tracks such as “Self Evident,” “ImpetuoUs,” and “Bad Wolf,” brought to life by Keenan, Round, Mitchell, Gunnar Olsen, and Josh Moreau. The film is now available for home viewing through the band’s website.
See the video for ‘Bad Wolf’ – HERE.
Editorial credit: L Paul Mann / Shutterstock.com
