Ethan McCarthy, performing under the moniker of Spiritual Poison, will drop its debut album Incorporeal November 17. Preorders are up now. Spiritual Poison’s first single is a journey through harsh ambient, dissonant droning called “Place Of Peace.”
McCarthy states:
“I wanted it to sound like a long journey through an otherworldly doorway. I think of spirituality a lot, so some of those ideas are present. Musically, there was so much emphasis on different instruments and trying things outside of the typical worlds of metal and noise.”
McCarthy continues:
“I play in some really heavy bands that are nasty and gritty. I wanted to make a record that’s the opposite of everything I’ve usually put out. It’s still challenging and dark, but I’m relying on harmony instead of dissonance … We’re experimenting with unconventional elements and drums. The album flows together by rising and falling. It’s a stressful journey … You leave with all of this knowledge, but it’s going to destroy you.
“Hopefully, that’s the vibe of the record … There are a lot of things in this world that poison you spiritually, and it was on my mind going into this. If you’re rotten spiritually, you’re unable to be good to people or decent to yourself. You need to know yourself and be in touch with the real character inside your spirit.”
If McCarthy’s name sounds familiar it’s because of his musical associations with Primitive Man, Vermin Womb, and Many Blessings. During 2022, he launched Spiritual Poison under the influence of artists such as Lawrence English and Tim Hecker. McCarthy sang, produced, handled guitar, and played synth, piano and drums. He was joined by a handful of friends on various instruments.
Photo courtesy of Spiritual Poison
