Towering-Above dives into a dark outlook with 'The Bleak'

Shannon Heupel, Montgomery Advertiser
·2 min read
J. Slickwood of Towering-Above performs at The Sanctuary.
J. Slickwood of Towering-Above performs at The Sanctuary.

Things are looking "Bleak" for Montgomery band Towering-Above, who have a new project set for release in the next couple of months.

"We called it The Bleak just because of the whole situation and the outlook of how things are going," said band member J. Slickwood. "It's about loss and isolation, people's mental health and whatnot. It's a lot darker than our other stuff has been, musically and lyrically, but hopefully it's something people can relate to."

Along with Slickwood, Towering-Above features Josh Carples and Clay Smith. This'll be their first full album under the new name (they were formerly Barrens). It's being produced by Headless Dinosaur in Montgomery, which produced their previous Barrens album Content Obsolete.

"That album is kind of obsolete now, since it's not us anymore," Slickwood said.

The Bleak in the mixing stages now, so singles haven't been released from the project yet. They're working on music videos for three of the tracks, all of which will link together for one continuous story. But Towering-Above is in no rush, and Slickwood said that'll show in the music.

"We've actually been able to take time and take the mixes home and listen to them," Slickwood said.

Clay Smith of Towering-Above performs at The Sanctuary.
Clay Smith of Towering-Above performs at The Sanctuary.

All-ages show Saturday at The Sanctuary

Speaking of listening, you'll be able to hear Towering-Above live Saturday at The Sanctuary, 432 Goldthwaite St, Montgomery. The all-ages show also features Venusville and Grasping at Pieces. Slickwood said it'll be Towering Above's first live show since July 2021.

"It should be a nice variety of music," Slickwood said.

It's $10 admission, and doors open at 8 p.m.

Josh Carples performs at The Sanctuary with Towering-Above.
Josh Carples performs at The Sanctuary with Towering-Above.

Slickwood's Postcard Living

With the extra time at home, Slickwood said he's also working on a solo project called Postcard Living.

"I've already recorded, mixed and mastered some stuff for that," Slickwood said.

The first single "So Long" is available now on Spotify.

"Hopefully, they'll like it," Slickwood said.

Contact Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel at sheupel@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Towering-Above dives into a dark outlook with 'The Bleak'