In case you couldn’t tell by their name or the leering, epileptic stage moves of their singer, Matt Korvette, Pissed Jeans have always delivered their sucker punch sound with a heavy sense of humor. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Ultramantis Black, a side project that swipes Korvette out for a Philly-based professional wrestler who happens to be vegan and a veteran of Philadelphia’s Chikara league. Here’s an explanation of the band’s self-titled debut EP, via Relapse Records:
“UltraMantis Black has waged many battles. As a professional wrestler, he has fought a never ending array of opponents worldwide, hell-bent on usurping the Great & Devious insectoid leader of The Order of the Neo Solar Temple. In his quest to decimate the unconscionable and depraved current state of the cultural grappling landscape, he has guided his Spectral Envoy of the Final Judgement through space and time as they deal out justice in the guise of revenge towards those who desire to harm and exploit the vulnerable and voiceless. Now, UltraMantis Black takes his struggle to a new level… UMB seeks to further spread his gospel through a relentless musical assault of hardcore cacophony. His message is a simple declaration of war. A godless jihad against those who continue to systematically enslave, torture, and murder the Earth and all innocent and sentient life that exists upon it. Clear missives of animal, earth, and human liberation delivered under the secretive cloak of lucha libre to the soundtrack of blasting audio terrorism.”
A press release that went out today also compared the project to the Locust, Deadguy and Melt Banana, so that should give you a good idea of where they’re coming from. Here’s another hint: their vinegary lead single, “West Siberian Plain,” which is due out on July 8th with the rest of the record…
