Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
The new single “Stay Stuck” by Canadian hardcore punk veterans Cancer Bats comes with the following music video, which was directed by Mitch Barnes, as per theprp. That song may be found on the band’s recently revealed eighth studio album, “Give Me Dirt,” which Bat Skull Records, New Damage Records, and Marshall Records plan to release on August 7. Kurt Ballou of Converge produced “Give Me Dirt” at his God City Studios in Salem, Massachusetts. Zach Weeks also worked behind the boards. Ian Romano was in charge of the controls at Camera Varda Studios in Welland, Ontario, where vocal tracks were recorded.
‘Stay Stuck‘ was such a fun song for us to write. It was one of the first songs that we finished while working on the new record and we really all felt like we had tapped into the classic Cancer Bats bouncy fun element we’ve had in songs since the beginning. The lyrics explore the idea that, at any age or moment in life, we all reach a point where we realize something has to change.
Maybe it’s the path we’re on, or just the way we see things, but there’s that instant where we say to ourselves, I’M NOT WASTING ANY MORE TIME! We’re all moving towards something bigger, chasing goals and dreams that the world can’t take away from us. That’s what keeps us going.
The idea is that we were always having fun and staying positive in those jobs thinking of the future that we knew was coming for us. I think lots of times those jobs can feel like a grind and we wanted to look more at the fun times and how it’s really just that stepping stone to really living your dreams. Cancer Bats as a band also just really like an excuse to make fun and funny music videos so that was our whole thinking for the concept. A great cinematic vehicle for us to all have a really good time. – Liam Cormier
Inspired by a year of travel, ‘Give Me Dirt‘ unfolds as both an outward and inward journey, grounded in a deep connection to nature. The songs explore leaving urban life behind, processing personal loss, and confronting environmental devastation, while also reflecting on lessons drawn from the natural world.
Motorcycle travel forms another central thread on ‘Give Me Dirt‘. From riding through the harsh conditions of the Canadian Rockies to a transformative journey in the mountains of Nepal just before recording, these experiences shaped the album’s perspective.
The overarching theme of returning to nature and re-connecting with the physical world, also provided inspiration for the album’s artwork. Instead of using digital tools, Cormier created a giant 4 foot by 8 foot mixed-media painting for the front and back covers. Using materials like paint, paper, stencils and drywall mud, he incorporated whatever he could get his hands on to build a large-scale, tactile piece. A second artwork of similar size was created for the liner notes featuring handwritten lyrics, collages, and similar paints and stencils used on the cover.
So many people I find are so sick of AI these days and all things that look too polished. I wanted the artwork to capture the energy of the album but also represent us as a band, we are rough and dirty, our sound is loud and a mix of so many influences. Making art like this felt like such a good visual representation of not only the songs, but also Cancer Bats ourselves. – Liam Cormier
Album tracklist:
Get your copy here for Canadian orders, and here for the rest of the world.
