KEN mode are now streaming the third track taken from their upcoming album, ‘Loved’, which has been slated for worldwide release on August 31st, 2018.

The song “Not Soulmates” is currently being streamed via Consequence of Sound here!

Vocalist / guitarist Jesse Matthewson comments on the track: “The main ‘chorus’ line,  I suppose you could call it, “You’re going to continue enjoying this mistake with me”, was conceived by Scott’s wife. This song is about the many complexities of love and the humour that surrounds its entirety – whether people choose to process it or not. It’s got riffs you can throw round-house kicks to and is an ode to the Melvins and Zeni Geva.”

KEN mode live
+BIRDS IN ROW +COILGUNS
15 Nov 18 Joué (FR) Temps Machine
16 Nov 18 Orléans (FR) Astrolabe
17 Nov 18 Bordeaux (FR) Void
18 Nov 18 Toulouse (FR) Rex
19 Nov 18 Montpellier (FR) Blacksheep
20 Nov 18 Clermont (FR) Raymond
21 Nov 18 Lausanne (CH) Romandie
22 Nov 18 Besancon (FR) L’Antonnoir
23 Nov 18 Karlsruhe (DE) Die Stadtmitte
24 Nov 18 Gigors (FR) CBGC’S
25 Nov 18 Milano (IT) Magnolia
27 Nov 18 Nantes (FR) Le Ferrailleur
28 Nov 18 Le Havre (FR) Fort de Tourneville
29 Nov 18 Paris (FR) Le Petit Bain
01 Dec 18 London (UK) Macbeth
02 Dec 18 Brussels (BE) Magasin 4

KEN mode have previously released the unnerving cover art of ‘Loved‘, created by Randy Ortiz, which can be viewed together with the album details below.

1. Doesn’t Feel Pain Like He Should (2:51)
2. The Illusion Of Dignity (4:43)
3. Feathers & Lips (2:31)
4. Learning To Be Too Cold (3:08)
5. Not Soulmates (2:47)
6. Very Small Men (2:32)
7. This Is A Love Test (4:38)
8. Fractures In Adults (3:49)
9. No Gentle Art (8:29)
Total playing time: 35:28

Kill Everyone Now mode – an ethos legendary Black Flag frontman Henry Rollins would use to describe the band’s state of mind while taking the stage for the endless touring cycle of their genre defying classic album, ‘My War’. This proved to be the psychological foundation / attitude for the project brothers Jesse and Shane Matthewson formed in 1999 in their home of Winnipeg, Canada and that would see them spread a manic form of metal and hardcore infused with noise rock for their entire adult lives.

Cutting their teeth in the early aughts with a pair of records ‘Mongrel’ (2003) and ‘Reprisal’ (2006), KEN mode rose from underground notoriety with their JUNO award winning album ‘Venerable’ in 2011. This marked a decided shift for the band, embarking on an unrelenting touring schedule for the following five years with acts such as RUSSIAN CIRCLES, TORCHE, DEAFHEAVEN, KYLESA, REVOCATION and TODAY IS THE DAY, followed up by Season of Mist-released full lengths ’Entrench’ (2013) and ‘Success’ (2015). Those records saw the band hit a multitude of major festivals like SXSW, Hellfest Open Air, CMJ Festival, Pitchfork Festival Chicago, Hopscotch Festival, and Roadburn Festival; and even doing live sessions for renowned institutions such as BBC Radio 1 and Daytrotter.

But burnout was inevitable, and in 2016 KEN mode took a step back to regroup. Core members Shane and Jesse formed their own music business management services company, MKM Management, while bassist Scott Hamilton released records with his other bands ADOLYNE and GREYLIGHT DISTRICT. In 2017 the band began writing with a newfound focus and desire, in the most collaborative effort they have ever put together.

Loved’, the band’s brand new vicious full length may be the KEN mode’s quintessential statement of violence and despair made sonic. Drawing from not only the desperate noise and industrial sonics of the ‘80s and ‘90s, the band mixes in the decidedly more extreme tone and presence of death and black metal, expertly captured by Andrew Schneider’s (UNSANE, CAVE IN, DAUGHTERS) sick vision of noise and girth. ‘Loved’ represents yet another pivot point in the group’s sound, a departure from the indie/noise punk focused ‘Success’ album. The group delves deeper and darker than ever before.

Line-up
Jesse Matthewson – vocals, guitar, percussion, piano
Shane Matthewson – drums
Scott Hamilton – bass, backing vocals, percussion
Kathryn Kerr – saxophone

Guest-musicians
Track #8 ‘Fractures In Adults’ – Drew Johnston – bass
Adam Dyson – backing vocals

Recording: Private Ear Recording (Canada)
Produced/mixed: Andrew Schneider
Mastering: Saff Mastering, Carl Saff

Cover art: Randy Ortiz