Video Premiere: Morlock ‘Flower Fiends’ – From New Album ‘The Outcasts’ That Drops In July

Andrew Prestidge is a name that should be familiar as a member of multi-instrumentalists The Osiris Club as well as holding down the backbone for Patrick Walker’s visions with Warning and more lately 40 Watt Sun, the latter I should add played an amazing and heartfelt set at this years Roadburn! As for Morlock, although not strictly a solo project, with Prestidge at the helm, he guides the transition between prog and synth sonics with long-term collaborator Roland Scriver, and a host of guest musicians, making his dreams become a reality.

Andrew Prestidge - Photo by Khaled Lowe
Andrew Prestidge – Photo by Khaled Lowe

As Morlock prepare to release their new seven-track album The Outcasts on the 15th July through Cineploit Recordings, and although this isn’t strictly an exclusive premiere to The Shaman with the label quietly unleashing the video for the track Flower Fiends a couple of days back, Andrew asked us if we could host it on these hallowed pages to give it some exposure to our dear readers, I guess only a fool would say no?

So click play below to check out not only the sublime prog inspired synthwave, but also the stunning video which was Roland Scriver first foray into video editing, I think we can safely say it’s been a success…

More On Morlock & ‘The Outcasts’

Morlock’s The Outcasts, the sophomore album of cosmic explorations by synthesist and drummer Andrew Prestidge (Zoltan, Warning, 40 Watt Sun, The Osiris Club), is a deceptively accessible fusion of post-punk, electro-pop, Moog drones and Italian prog soundtracks. Blending melody and experimentation into a shifting patchwork of retro-futuristic splendour, these seemingly contradictory elements battle it out in a dream landscape of the ancient and the alien.

The influences on the record are vast and varied. As a long-time fan of electronic music, Andrew’s compositions can invoke anyone from Tubeway Army, the BBC Radiophonic Workshop or John Carpenter to more abrasive acts such as Killing Joke, The Chameleons or Cardiacs. And that is before we get to Queen’s soundtrack to Flash Gordon

Morlock 'The Outcasts'
Morlock ‘The Outcasts’ Artwork

In contrast to 2019’s debut Morlock release, Ancient Paths, rhythm and riffage is to the fore throughout the course of these seven epic tunes. Much more a widescreen version of the band and a collaborative affair, the recording took place in London’s celebrated Holy Mountain Studios by Chris Fullard and Stanley Gravett in the spring of 2021. Mixed in Switzerland by Misha Hering (Memnon SA), who also co-writes and adds synthesizers to a number of tracks, the production veers between the pastoral and the urban, from the roots of the Earth to the measureless depths of outer space.

The Outcasts concept began with Andrew developing creature designs for an imaginary graphic novel. The eventual Lovecraft-inspired illustrations are accompanied by a conceptual story-cycle originating from the mind of science fiction author Matt Thompson, all produced in a lavish and limited vinyl edition. A heavyweight pressing with grooves deep enough – just – to do the music full justice, The Outcasts is truly an object to savour.

Watch out for forthcoming live action with a specially-expanded line-up!

The Outcasts Tracklisting:
01. Vulpine Megaliths
02. Flower Fiends
03. Host Roots
04. The Prodigal
05. The Outcasts
06. Dream Harvesters
07. Oceanic Crustaceans

Morlock on The Outcasts is:
Andrew Prestidge – Drums, Synths, Keys
Roland Scriver – Guitars, Percussion
Misha Hering – Synths, Keys
Alpha C. Mitchell – Synths, Keys
Chris Fullard – Guitar, Gong
Maurice Bendrix – Narration

Morlock and their latest exploration The Outcasts releases on 15th July through Cineploit Recordings, pre-sales for the 180g vinyl and compact disc are available now over on the labels webstore.

Label: Cineploit Recordings
Band Links: Facebook | Bandcamp | Instagram