This Summit Fever Fuzz Things Up with Their “Messiah” Music Video Premiere

The riffs and high-octane intensity come aplenty with This Summit Fever’s latest music video for “Messiah.” Pretty damn good, all things considered, when you’re talking about merely two men creating all of this wonderful noise.

The video features the duo rocking their asses off, with the two strutting their stuff, in full unity, delivering some brutal breakdowns, as well as some more high-flying moments. It’s “heavy fuzz rock” at its finest, as they would describe themselves, lead singer and guitarist Andy Blackburn and drummer James McSorley. They have been occupied the last several months prepping their brand new EP Distraction Rituals, which is where you will find “Messiah,” amongst many other memorable tracks, upon its release this Friday, April 28th.

Dissecting the new single for us, Blackburn tells us:

“‘Messiah’ represents where we are musically right now. It has all the musical and sonic elements that we love as a band; there’s the hook, the quiet and loud sections (dynamics) and of course a few heavy riffs. The lyrics were inspired by what I would describe as cultural apathy towards real world problems, such as the environment, while people are glued to the screen wondering what the latest social media star had for their breakfast.

“It seems to me that most people crave distraction from the real world and I can’t really blame them to be honest. I often feel that way myself. The news can be very depressing. But if we don’t start to wake up to the reality that most governments in this world are not operating in the interests of its people then the next generations are going to have a very difficult life.”

Distraction Rituals is something of a sequel to the twosome’s 2021 debut EP Doubt, but even better this time. The guitars are louder and more aggressive, the riffs are more dynamic and elaborate, and the drums are more intense. It’s also a little more focused, as Doubt was recorded in between the pandemic lockdowns backed by the intention of adding another member or two. But then, Blackburn and McSorley struggled to find the right additions, so they settled on going it alone, together as a two-man band.

To say that it’s been a good decision to proceed as a duo would be an understatement. Distraction Rituals is a very fine set of songs, a loose concept EP based on the societal tendency to ignore pressing issues and just focus on immediate, simple gratifications instead. The songwriting is done at a high level, and the chemistry between the two is obvious. They take a fresh approach to heavy fuzz rock, so it’s fun, but it’s also poignant and reflective. If you’re just catching up with This Summit Fever, well, you’ve picked a good time to get acquainted with this burgeoning pair of musical partners.

Distraction Rituals Track Listing:

1. Messiah
2. Sometimes A Tidal Wave
3. It Contorts
4. The Widow

Tour Dates:

04/29 – London, The Hope and Anchor (Islington)
07/14 – Leicester, Duffy’s Bar
07/28 – Manchester, The Star and Garter

This Summit Fever ‘Distraction Rituals’ EP album artwork