One of the shining beacons of the UK post-metal scene, Bossk have steadily built up an unrepentantly loyal following since their inception 2005. As they approach 20 years as a band, Bossk are taking this opportunity to take pause and reflect on their past and all the hard graft that has led them to become one of the most lauded bands in the genre. ".4", the latest in a series of numbered releases that presents material outside the remit of Bossk’s full-length album output, is a celebration of those 20 years and provides an enticing aperitif for their 3rd album proper, to be released sometime in 2026.
As is tradition with these numbered releases, ".4" is not a Bossk album in the conventional sense, instead forging a more experimental path by presenting re-worked versions of some old favorites, as well as a smattering of re-recorded songs that only the most obsessed Bossk fan will be familiar with.
The latest collaboration is "The Reverie II" which comes courtesy of Canadian prog-psych duo Crown Lands. They add moog synths, Tool-esque percussion and soaring dynamics to their interpretation of the song that completely revitalizes and enhances the epic concluding track to Bossk’s 2016 debut full-length "Audio Noir".
Bossk comment, "We have dabbled with using synths and moog-style electronics in the past, but our ability is fairly limited in what we can achieve. Crown Lands are the undisputed kings of the new generation of prog, and both Kevin and Cody are absolutely flawless musicians. Kevin REALLY understood what this song needed to be, an 80s-fuelled, prog odyssey. This idea came together so fast, and instantly we knew this was going to be one of the highlights of the whole record. The dynamics in this song soar in ways the original doesn’t. and the percussion added by Cody is something we have always wanted to include in our music, but never had the right moments for that to work right. This was one of Tom's main contributions to the album, and working with them on this was a truly awesome experience."
One deciding factor that emboldened Bossk to celebrate their past with ".4" is the amicable departure of vocalist Sam Marsh due to his permanent relocation to the United States. The band wanted to give Sam an epic recorded send-off and the colossal 13-minute "Events Occur in Real Time provides a fitting farewell for the vocalist, who’s guttural razor-wire screams have provided tectonic shifting textures to the band since their inception in 2005. Acting as the centerpiece of .4, this is the first studio take of the song ever recorded, conceived as it was in 2008, just months before the band went on temporary hiatus. The only version available prior was recorded live and released on a limited edition split 12” with long gone fellow post-metal band Rinoa. ".4" gives Bossk the opportunity to record the song in a new and reimagined way, replete with mariachi-style trumpet work courtesy of Adam Faires.
In a move that displays the band’s love of collaboration, this collection also presents four classic Bossk tracks re-worked by their contemporaries, giving a new lease of life to songs that have become staples of Bossk’s set. First up is Manchester-based post metal project Pijn’s take on fan favorite "Kobe", an interpretation that initially suggests a more sedate take on the song that gradually swells into a symphony of swirling strings and percussion that accelerando to an almighty climax. Japanese experimentalists in heavy music Endon previously collaborated for the second full-length album Migration released in 2021. "White Stork", the song that opened that album, is presented here with the Bossk elements stripped back entirely, so it’s now possible for the listener to immerse themselves in the disquieting noise drone textures the band added to Migration without distraction. Matthew Daly and Robin Southby of British instrumental quintet Maybeshewill contributed a beautiful piano rendition of "The Reverie" for inclusion on .4, which echoes the ambient neo-classical works of Nils Frahm, Ólafur Arnaulds and Philip Glass.
Another lost treasure on .4 is Albert, a new song that has only been played once at ArcTanGent festival in 2019. Despite including it in that set, the band were never happy with it, until drummer Nick Corney completely reworked it into the version here, which displays the influence of electronic artists on Bossk such as Boards of Canada, Battles, Nine Inch Nails and DJ Shadow.
The remaining two tracks that make up this compilation were originally only available on 2008 live video .3. A remix of I by Twin Zero guitarist Reuben Gotto is the oldest song on .4, dating back to 2006 shortly after the band’s debut EP release of the same name. The other track is "181 to Beulah", a song written by Bossk guitarist Alex Hamilton which, like "Events Occur in Real Time", has only previously been released as a live track. The song, which is played entirely on guitar, ends this 65-minute collection on a sombre note, as gently reverberant chords ring out across a mellow bed of harmonious feedback, recalling the more tranquil, ambient experimentation of bands like This Will Destroy You and Hammock. As a segue-way into whatever the future may hold, it’s about as laid-back and serene as Bossk has ever been.
With ".4", Bossk fully intend to put a full stop on one era, before beginning a new chapter in 2026, a year which will see the release of a brand new full-length album of original material, their 3rd in total, and the recorded debut of vocalist Simon Wright, who has been playing with the band for the past 4 years and is now fully integrated into the band.
Look for ".4" to be available May 10th via Deathwish Inc. Pre-order here and look for more singles to drop in the near future.
Bossk, on tour:
May 15 Bristol, UK @ The Fleece
May 16 Nottingham, UK @ Rescue Rooms
May 17 Manchester, UK @ Gorilla
May 18 Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social Club
May 19 London, UK @ The Garage
August 15 Bristol, UK @ Fernhill Farm
August 17 Bristol, UK @ Fernhill Farm
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