Synthwave pioneers Gunship— comprised of Dan Haigh, Alex Westaway and Alex Gingell — have announced their third studio album Unicorn, due to be released September 29th. Pre-order it here.
Gunship invites their listeners to celebrate the power of imagination on Unicorn. Named after the international icon of fantasy and imagination, it’s emblazoned with the tagline “Imagination Is A Weapon”. The trio’s trademark, synth-laden atmosphere and transportative soundscapes have continued to evolve to include more rock, industrial, and EDM influences, and allow the listener to revel in an alternative reality on a 14-track electric thrill ride.
Unicorn boasts a diverse array of special guests, who each bring something different to the project. Collaborators include: John Carpenter, Gavin Rossdale (Bush), Dave Lombardo (Slayer), Carpenter Brut, Timmy Cappello (Lost Boys, Tina Turner, Ringo Starr), Health, Tyler Bates (John Wick, Guardians of the Galaxy etc), Lights, Power Glove, Charlie Simpson, Britta Philips (Jem), and Milkie Way (Wargasm).
Today, the band share the first song from their hotly anticipated third album, cyberpunk track ‘Monster in Paradise’, where they are joined by a host of hard-hitting collaborators including the saxman Tim Cappello, electro-punk artist Milkie Way, film composer and guitarist Tyler Bates and Slayer’s legendary percussionist Dave Lombardo. Here, Gunship continue to evolve the synthwave genre into exciting new directions. Stream the track here.
Priding themselves in being accomplished audio-visual artists, the band also unleash the neon-lit music video for ‘Monster in Paradise’. The visual sees the cinematic worlds of Blade Runner and The Terminator collide amidst a sprawling dystopian metropolis, and stars two of the song’s collaborators, Milkie Way and Timmy Cappello. The dreamscape sees darkness converge with laser light in a vision of the not-so-far future, replete with towering skyscrapers, flying vehicles, and shimmering holographic displays which work together to create a vivid backdrop for the adrenaline-fueled cyberpunk rock spectacle.
“Gunship, Timmy Cappello, and Dave Lombardo is truly a match made in heaven and I’m so happy to be included in this beautiful maelstrom of synth-metal perfection” – Milkie Way
“Although Gunship and I have collaborated on many songs together. We’d never actually met until I went to London to do their latest video, ‘Monster In Paradise’. They were everything I knew they’d be, super sweet dudes and the video was a total blast. An honor to be in the same room finally collaborating with these geniuses of synthwave – Timmy Cappello
“It was a great honor to step into the genius of Gunship to rock ‘Monster in Paradise’ with Dave Lombardo and slay a guitar/sax duel with the legendary Tim Cappello. Totally sick!” – Tyler Bates
Perhaps the star of the video, Milkie Way (the fiery frontwoman of Wargasm), pays homage to the indomitable Sarah Connor from The Terminator films. Driving Sarah’s classic 1983 Jeep CJ-7 Renegade and providing a Terminator style voice over, Milkie initially appears to be giving a performance true to Sarah Connor’s character, although perhaps things are not quite as they seem… Are the machines recruiting humans with a mind-altering silver liquid?
What would it be like to attend a rock show in a dystopian cyberpunk world?
Prepare to be transported to a world where darkness collides with neon brilliance.
UNICORN TRACK LISTING:
“Monster In Paradise” (Feat. Milkie Way, Dave Lombardo, Tim Cappello, Tyler Bates)
“Taste Like Venom”
“Empress of the Damned” (Feat. Lights)
“Tech Noir 2” (Feat. John Carpenter, Charlie Simpson)
“DooM Dance” (Feat. Gavin Rossdale, Carpenter Brut)
“Blood for the Blood God” (Feat. Health)
“Weaponised Love”
“Ghost” (Feat. Power Glove)
“Darkness for Dreams”
“Holographic Heart” (Feat. Britta Philips)
“Nuclear Date Night”
“Run Like Hell”
“Lost Shadow”
“Postcard From the American Dream”
