The Obscurants

We finally have a release date for the new Alternative 4 album 'The Obscurants'. Click here to pre-order the cd, gatefold vinyl, or book edition.

Alternative 4 - The Obscurants
The fight for disclosure and justice 

With "The Obscurants", Alternative 4 - the current main sphere of Duncan Patterson (ex Anathema, ex Antimatter) - release their second full-length album and continue the line of enquiry that began with their debut "The Brink" in 2011. Like its predecessor, "The Obscurants" stands out due to Patterson's particular songwriting style, which is occasionally echoing the works of his previous bands, yet it is offering his most mature and sophisticated material to date. The album explores avenues such as soft 1960s tremolo vibes, analogue synths and vocoders, to cranked up distorted guitars, with new lead singer Simon Flatley's crooner-like vocals perfectly completing the album's musical expression. Lyrically "The Obscurants" turns out to be a thought-provoking concept album on the subject of cover ups. Be it the media, police, government, or personal deceptions, it's about the obscuring of the truth and the subsequent fight for disclosure and justice.

Release date: 12.09.2014
North-American release date: 16.09.2014 (just distribution, not shop)


Available editions:

- CD Digipak
- Gatefold LP (180g vinyl) incl. poster and PVC protection sleeve (500 copies)
- 2CD hardcover book edition (18x18cm, 60 pages) incl. liner notes, studio report, background info, additional artwork and bonus CD feat. 10 additional tracks (500 copies)


Tracklist:

CD1

1. Theme For The Obscurantist
2. Paracosm
3. Returning The Screw
5. Dina
6. Lifeline
7. The Tragedy Shield
8. Mr Black
9. Closure

CD2 (Bonus CD)

1. Theme For The Opportunist 2. Chilling Effects 3. Reality Clash 4. Revisionists 5. Lincoyán Berríos 6. Dina (Ars Arcanum mix) 7. Lifeline (36 floors mix) 8. Lifeline (Nîm mix) 9. Lifeline (Spermblaster mix) 10. Lifeline (VÆV mix)

Dublin gig

Pre-order for the Dublin gig online & get a free t-shirt (while stocks last) - sales@duncanpatterson.com for info

Alternative 4 sign to Prophecy Productions

I'm pleased to announce that a long term deal has been signed between Alternative 4 and Prophecy Productions. Teaming up again, ten years since they put the first Antimatter albums out into the cosmos. It's good to be back onboard a label who have always had respect for my work, regardless of how obscure or 'uncommercial' it often turns out. In todays musical climate it is difficult to find a decent label who are genuinely focused more on the artistic/innovative side than anything else. And for me that is essential as I've no plans to start playing and writing fashionable music as a career move, not unless I do it accidentally that is.
I'm currently working on the second Alternative 4 album 'The Obscurants' which is about those who deliberately withhold truth, knowledge, and enlightenment from others. It's a slight continuation of the theme from The Brink, which also dealt with the abuse of power. The line up remains the same as The Brink, with Mark Kelson and Mauro Frison in the fold. We plan to record The Obscurants later this year - 2012.


Finally, a big thank you to Avantgarde Music for getting the Alternative 4 project off the ground last year.

Onwards and upwards!


Duncan Patterson

The Brink digibook and vinyl editions now available

The digibook, and vinyl editions of ALTERNATIVE 4 - The Brink are finally available here:- http://www.audiocave.8merch.com/

'Underlooked' videoclip

Alternative 4 - Underlooked from VÆV on Vimeo.

False Light (full track)

False Light (from The Brink album)