Industrial metal trio Rorschach Test, led by Denver, Colorado vocalist James Baker, is back after the release of 2020 album Done With Satan. They have resurfaced along with lyricist, bassist, social media influencer The Narcoleptic Goddess and musician, guitarist Kolby Peoples.
Most recently they released “Fallen” on Goth Day 2024 and “Belated” over the summer to introduce themselves to new listeners and re-welcome themselves to previous fans; fans that have been there since their debut, three decades ago in 1992 when they performed with Korn and Type-O-Negative. The band just released a new lyric video for “Lament,” featuring Benjamin Anderson on guitar and Paul Clark on Keyboards and Programming.
Just in time for Halloween, the trio will release their full new album--the 8th major release--Fallen (Unlabeled Artists) on Thursday, Oct. 31. They’re also hitting the road to headline the Fallen Tour in 2025 with support from There Is No Us, Spiral Death Course and Torso—the tour is partnering with mental health, substance use disorder, suicidal ideation non-profits NAMI and Kyros.
In this OOTB interview with founder and vocalist James Baker, he explains why Rorschach Test reformed, what the new band members bring, the new album and much more.
What inspired you to reform? Why now?
Two words: Fred Durst! Watching him come back so strong was inspiring. But really, the reason that I started writing again has to do with mental health. I was in some very dark places over the last several years, but somehow made it out with all limbs attached. So many of my friends did not. I feel like their voices should be heard and that I am a willing medium for such a thing.
What can you tell us about the song “Fallen”?
The Narcoleptic Goddess handed me the lyrics to “Fallen” during the pandemic. I was astonished at both the fluidity and integrity of her writing.
Except for Kennedy James, I have never allowed other lyrical ideas on Rorschach Test albums. I knew this had to be scored and recorded.
After laying down the tracks, it was clear that a sonic treatment was not enough and that we needed video. It all came together so seamlessly, and what better actor to play the role of fallen angel than the Goddess, herself!
Of course, if you are asking me to interpret the song, that, like all of our songs, is entirely up to you. The archetypes and stories we are told mean dierent things to dierent people, just like the inkblots designed by Hermann Rorschach, that inspired our name.
How are you approaching your sound now as compared to the early late 90s and 2000s? And lyrics?
We are still following the basic band formula. We begin with lyrics, then compose a skeletal melody of programming.
Upon the skeleton, we graft the flesh of guitars, drums, bass, other keys. We have had to make the skeletons exceptionally strong this time, due to the weight of the flesh supplied by Mr. Kolby Peoples.
How did Kolby Peoples and The Narcoleptic Goddess come to be part of the band?
Kolby is something very special. I think he might be a guitar wizard, I don’t know. His craftmanship in writing is incredible, and his expertise in recording is amazing for someone his age.
Remember- I have worked with some of the very best: People like Je Loomis and Neil Kernon. I do not say this lightly. Everyone in Arizona knows him. He has “shadow written” and produced some very big albums for which he did not get his due credit.
I had begun recording the album with Mike Bolenbach at Full Well Recording Studios and asked him if he knew anyone locally that was available for some studio guitar work. He pointed to a long-haired kid, whom I assumed was his assistant, and said, “Kolby plays guitar.”
I felt that I was in an awkward position at that point, and feigned interest, thinking that I would let him try a couple tracks and then reach to Loomis.
His solo on “Fallen” happened right in front of my eyes. He wrote it on the spot in about 10 minutes or less. As I said, everyone here knows about him, and have asked him to join their projects.
The fact that he has chosen to be with Rorschach Test is another huge reason we are back. I am very lucky to have found him and to be working with him, and I hope mega band steals him from me, because he definitely deserves to be heard on the biggest stages of the world.
What’s next for Rorschach Test following the release of the album Fallen? When can we expect more new music or a live show return?
We begin the “Fallen Tour” on Jan. 17, 2025 at John Henrys in Eugene, Oregon. The tour will go out in four separated legs. Leg One will focus on the west. There will be more info as it unfolds.
Anything else you’d like to add?
We have another new member in our ranks that is of high regard. The Narcoleptic Goddess will be joining us on tour and on her very, very special bass guitar.
She is, without question, the biggest star in the group and on the tour, with over 600,000 plus followers on Facebook.
She is looking forward to meeting some of her fans in person, as the tour will be her very first live appearance. You can check her out on Facebook, or on her brand new website that will be launching soon: www.thenarcolepticgoddess.com.
She has become an amazing writing partner, and, as most already know, life partner with me.
Pre-Order Album
https://rorschachtest.bandcamp.com/album/fallen
See Tour Dates
Follow Rorschach Test
https://m.facebook.com/61559153873454/
https://www.instagram.com/rorschachtest_official/
https://m.youtube.com/channel/
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