Photo – Andrew Basso

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JOIN THE CULT:
LISTEN TO BLACK WASH HERE

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“It’s this collision of extreme and accessible sounds that makes Black Wash such a consistently fun listen… one of the most original and genre-bending new bands to recently emerge.” – Kerrang (4 Stars)

“A near-perfect balance between an incredible command of melody and a rock ‘n’ roll chaos… there hasn’t been a post-hardcore band as exciting as this in years.” – Soundboard (8/10)

“Their furious, fantastic debut album Black Wash proves Nikki Brumen is one of the most versatile vocalists anywhere right now, and the most exciting thing of all? This is just the start.” – Rocksound (8/10)

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Melbourne’s blackened rock’n’roll quartet PAGAN are humbled to release their hotly anticipated debut album Black Wash, out today. Black Wash is everything Pagan have worked towards over the last 5 calendar cycles, an album of tantalising blast beats, disco beats and 70s rock riffs unlike no other, led by hymns ‘Death Before Disco’ and ‘Silver’. To mourn its release, the familia of Pagan has released a video for latest single ‘Silver’ and announced a string of bands who will help them carry their cross and lead a procession of electrifying live shows across Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Hobart and Sydney over three weekends this August.

‘Silver’ is a story of toxic love; of two people who serve as each other’s biggest demons, of trying to salvage some sort of happiness with the person who brings out the worst in you, even though you know you also bring out the worst in them. This tragedy plays out over Pagan’s take on a straight-up pop soundtrack, with a subtle tip of the hat to the classic guitar rock of the 1970s. The video for ‘Silver’ was filmed and directed by Aidan McDonald, and serves as the first look inside the Church of the Black Wash. It captures the pure, ritualistic energy that possesses Pagan every single time they enter the same room.

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Pagan’s debut album Black Wash is a collection of 11 spells bookended by curtain raiser ‘Il Malocchio Si Apre’ (‘The Evil Eye Opens’) and their deathblow ‘Il Malocchio Si Chiude’ (‘The Evil Eye Closes’) brought to life by producer Mike Deslandes, in part at Abbotsford’s The Aviary and South Melbourne’s Holes and Corners studios. Together, Nikki Brumen (vocals), Xavier Santilli (guitar), Dan Bonnici (bass) and Matt Marasco (drums), play like their lives depend on it, paying homage to their punk rock and heavy music ethics (‘The Greatest Love Songs’), drawing inspiration from the dancefloors of neon-soaked discotheques (‘Year of the Dog’) and back-alley rock and roll clubs of old (‘Silver’). Nikki bares her soul, her ferocious and haunting howls navigating swiftly between the theological world the band have created through striking imagery and lyrical symbolism, and the real world in which she has lived and survived.

The ferocity of Pagan’s live show can be witnessed in full this August as the band carry the flame down the east coast with support from Stabbitha & The Knifey Wifeys and No Oaths at the Crown & Anchor in Adelaide, Crave Death, Blind Girls and Masochist in their spiritual home of Crowbar in Brisbane, with Diploid, Removalist and Protection supporting on their home turf at The Tote in Melbourne. Cardinels and Break Through will join them at the Brisbane Hotel in Hobart, and Pagan will wrap up their tour in incredible style with Lo! and Mental Cavity at The Lansdowne in Sydney. Full dates are below.

Pagan have seen praise from both hemispheres in the lead up to the release of Black Wash, including BBC Radio 1, triple j, Kerrang! (“Killer”), Pilerats (“riff-riddled stomper of the heaviest order”), frankie Magazine and Kill Your Stereo (“one of Pagan’s best cuts yet.”). STACK Magazine praised singer Nikki Brumen, saying she “continues to verify herself as one of the most engaging vocalists in the country”, while Hysteria Magazine simply called them “fierce” and awarded their debut a brilliant 8/10.

Embracing their Italian roots in an almost sarcastic fashion until it’s pretty much become serious, Pagan have charmed audiences with their unique candour and straight-up saucy attitude since forming in 2015. The past 18 months have seen them play coveted spots on UNIFY Festival, Yours & Owls and BIGSOUND, plus tour their blistering live show across the country with the likes of King Parrot, Clowns and most recently as main support to Rise Against this past February.

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PAGAN

The Black Wash

Album Tour

SATURDAY 11 AUGUST – CROWN & ANCHOR, ADELAIDE
Tickets available from www.moshtix.com.au | 1300 GET TIX | All Moshtix outlets

SATURDAY 18 AUGUST – CROWBAR, BRISBANE
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix outlets

FRIDAY 24 AUGUST – THE TOTE, MELBOURNE
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix outlets

SATURDAY 25 AUGUST – BRISBANE HOTEL, HOBART
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix outlets

FRIDAY 31 AUGUST – THE LANSDOWNE, SYDNEY
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545 | All Oztix outlets

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PAGAN
Black Wash

Out today via EVP Recordings (Aus)
 Purchase

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Black Wash

track listing:

1. Il Malocchio Si Apre

2. Death Before Disco

3. Silver

4. Imitate Me

5. Holy Water

6. Blood Moon

7. Year of the Dog

8. The Greatest Love Songs

9. Wine and Lace

10. Fluorescent Snakes

11. Il Malocchio Si Chiude

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Follow Pagan:

Website | Facebook| Instagram| Bandcamp

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AMNPLIFY – DB