We Aren’t ‘Being Kidding’ When We Say Gnarwhal’s New One Rips

Gnarwhal are Chappy Hull and Tyler Coburn (also of sludge behemoths Yautja), two scrappy math-punks from Nashville who have spent the past seven years wrecking basements across the country. Following a series of split singles and 2015’s sophomore LP, Shinerboy, the band is gearing up to drop their expansive new effort, Crucial. It’s an album as terrorizing as it is technical: a maelstrom of post-hardcore, noise and scuzz-metal that recalls a filthier Hella, or maybe a brainer METZ. Their new single is called “Being Kidding,” but the track’s no joke; though it may resemble all-out punk pummeling, the song’s underbelly points to a sinister, well-executed master plan. Listen below, and scroll down to check up the band’s upcoming tour dates with Boston indie heroes Pile.

Crucial is out May 12 via Exploding in Sound. Pre-order it here.

GNARWHAL on TOUR
Apr. 12 — Philadelphia, PA @ First Unitarian Church #
Apr. 13 — Washington, DC @ DC9 #
Apr. 14 — Durham, NC @ Duke Coffeehouse #
Apr. 15 — Asheville, NC @ The Mothlight #
Apr. 16 — Nashville, TN @ Third Man Records #
Apr. 17 — Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade (Purgatory) #
Apr. 18 — Birmingham, AL @ The Syndicate Lounge #
Apr. 19 — Tallahassee, FL @ Club Downunder (Florida State University) #
Apr. 20 — New Orleans, LA @ Gasa Gasa #
Apr. 21 — Houston, TX @ The Satellite Bar #
Apr. 22 — Austin, TX @ Sidewinder #
Apr. 23 — Dallas, TX @ Three Links #
Apr. 26 — Phoenix, AZ @ The Rebel Lounge #
Apr. 27 — San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar #
Apr. 28 — Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo #
Apr. 30 — San Francisco, CA @ Rickshaw Stop #
May 2 — Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios #
May 3 — Seattle, WA @ The Black Lodge #
May 5 — Salt Lake City, UT @ The Loading Dock #
May 6 — Denver, CO @ Lost Lake Lounge #
May 7 — Omaha, NE @ River City Star #
May 9 — Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St. Entry #
May 10 — Milwaukee, WI @ Cactus Club #
May 11 — Chicago, IL @ Subterranean #
May 12 — Detroit, MI @ Marble Bar #
May 13 — Lakewood, OH @ Mahall’s #
May 14 — Rochester, NY @ Bug Jar #

# w/ Pile